D.156.3

Altamira armchair

D.156.3 is an armchair designed by Gio Ponti in 1956 for Altamira. The design was shown in the company's New York showroom with work selected from leading exhibitors at the 10th Milan Triennale.

Frame and support

Molteni&C offers the frame in solid American walnut or solid maple with a glossy black finish. The structure is assembled and sanded by hand, then treated with aniline dyes. Elastic bands support the seat and back. A removable quilted cushion combines polyurethane with polyester fibre, while its upholstery is non-removable.

Published data

The drawing gives 71, 97 and 88 cm as the principal values; the axes are not labelled. A separate 31 cm vertical value is not assigned.

An Italian design shown in New York

Ponti created D.156.3 for Altamira, the American company founded by a nephew of the Spanish nobleman and impresario De Cuevas. Molteni&C places the chair in a New York presentation alongside furniture by Ico Parisi, Franco Albini, Carlo De Carli and Ignazio Gardella.

Molteni&C remake

The sheet pairs the original 1956 design year with 2017, the date of Molteni&C's remake. Its current construction highlights hand assembly, hand sanding and the contrast between a rigid timber frame and elastic support bands.