Image source: Poltrona Frau — DU 55 Armchair
© Poltrona Frau and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research.
DU 55 Armchair
Gastone Rinaldi's DU 55 armchair, designed and patented in 1954, on slender conical steel feet.
830 × 900 × 820 mm
1954
Official product information
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Overview
DU 55 is an armchair by Gastone Rinaldi, designed and patented in 1954. The sheet calls it a very sculptural piece with an anthropomorphic design: the seat becomes a torso and the armrests become sinuous arms.
Image source: Poltrona Frau — DU 55 Armchair · © Poltrona Frau and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy
Construction
- Structure: steel supporting structure, moulded polyurethane foam padding
- Suspension: elastic belts
- Feet: conical steel feet with protective nylon caps, in two finishes
- Cover: Pelle Frau® leather, or fabric with a removable cover
Specifications
- Code 5564111: largest drawing values, not labelled with axes: 90, 83 and 82 cm
- Foot finishes: teak-stained ash with antique matt brass caps, or black textured coating with black caps
Story
Sculptural shell and slender feet
The page says Rinaldi worked from rounded geometries, the study of thicknesses and padding, and the relationship between solids and voids. It describes a curved shell on slender feet that give stability and comfort for a relaxing, welcoming seat.
A period of Italian design
The sheet places the armchair in what it calls a glorious period of Italian design, when formal inhibition was banned. It was designed and patented in 1954.
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