Tessa / Tessa S.H. Armchair

Overview

Tessa and Tessa S.H. are armchairs by Antonio Citterio, dated 2020. Flexform points to the complexity behind their apparent simplicity: a structure made entirely of solid wood, joined in the traditional way by expert hands, and a seat and backrest in hand-crafted woven paper rush cord or, for the S.H., in cowhide.

Image source: Flexform — Tessa / Tessa S.H. Armchair · © Flexform and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy

Construction

Five woods are offered: Canaletto walnut, ash, oak, mahogany and wengé. Tessa seats and backs are woven twisted paper rush cord; the S.H. uses cowhide, and the S.H. Cord woven cowhide. Feet are die-cast zama.

Specifications

• Design year: 2020
• Codes 027221, 027222 and 027223 (armchair, S.H. armchair, S.H. Cord armchair): Largest drawing values, not labelled with axes: 76, 76 and 74 cm (29 29/32, 29 29/32 and 29 1/8 in)

Simplicity that is built

For Flexform, each constructive detail of the Tessa armchair hints at how much complexity sits behind its apparent simplicity, a simplicity that comes from ingenuity and craftsmanship by hand.

Joinery and weave

The structure is entirely solid wood, and the traditional joinery gently exalts the natural texture and feel of the wood. The seat and backrest are finely hand-crafted woven paper rush cord, with soft optional cushions held in place by slender straps. On the Tessa S.H. the seat and backrest are cowhide, and sophisticated top stitching on the back of the backrest underscores the chair's refined craftsmanship.