Extraordinary armchair designed by Cesare Lacca for the renowned manufacturer ISA (Industria Salotti e Arredamenti) Bergamo, dating from the 1950s.
This example is an emblematic representation of the elegance and formal research that characterized the production of the Bergamo-based brand in the postwar period, when ISA established itself as one of the most innovative realities in the Italian design landscape.
The high backrest with soft and enveloping lines gives the seat a sculptural and dynamic character, while the rounded armrests and the midnight blue velvet upholstery accentuate the sense of comfort and refinement.
The hand-applied trim with rows of brass studs highlights the sinuous profile of the armchair, enriching it with a precious decorative detail, in perfect dialogue with the tapered gilded aluminum feet, typical of ISA production of that decade.
In those same years, ISA Bergamo collaborated with some of the most important figures in Italian design, such as Gio Ponti, Ignazio Gardella, Paolo Buffa and Nino Zoncada, creating pieces that combined functionality, high-quality craftsmanship and a modern, international aesthetic language.
This piece by Cesare Lacca fits perfectly within that climate of innovation, representing a refined synthesis of organic lines, fine materials and absolute comfort.
Today this armchair is not only a seat of great aesthetic charm, but also a historical testimony to the creative fervor that animated Italian design in the 1950s, destined to enhance contemporary interiors or museum collections.
Excellent vintage condition as shown in the photographs.
Product Name: Armchair by Cesare Lacca for ISA Bergamo
Designer: Cesare Lacca
Year of Design: 1950s
Style: Postwar Italian Modernism
Main Materials: Wooden structure, midnight blue velvet upholstery, brass stud trim, tapered gilded aluminum feet
Distinctive Design: High backrest with soft and enveloping lines, rounded armrests, hand-applied brass stud trim, sinuous and sculptural profile
Dimensions: Height 80 cm | Width 70 cm | Depth 72 cm
Comfort: Enveloping and ergonomic seating, designed to combine elegance and comfort
Typical Use: Refined residential interiors, representative living rooms, design collections
Design Icon: Representative example of ISA Bergamo production
Versatility: Suitable for both contemporary interiors and classical settings
Current Condition of the Design: Excellent overall condition as shown in the photographs
Additional Notes: Please note that this object is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of time may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We invite you to consider these characteristics before purchase.
Cesare Lacca was an Italian designer and architect active mainly between the 1940s and the 1960s, known for his elegant and functional furnishings, often characterized by great attention to artisanal detail and a refined modernist taste.
Trained in Milan, the epicenter of postwar design culture, Lacca became especially famous for his bar carts and serving tables produced in the 1950s, many of which are now considered icons of Italian mid-century design. His creations combined light, organic lines with fine materials such as brass, bent wood, glass and fabric or leather upholstery.
His stylistic language oscillated between rationalist sobriety and the sensuality of curves, with a particular predilection for sculptural details. Some of his armchairs and seating pieces stand out for enveloping backrests, tapered legs and refined finishes, elements that place them among the finest Italian productions of the postwar period.
Many pieces signed by Cesare Lacca were produced by excellence manufacturers such as ISA Bergamo (Industria Salotti e Arredamenti), a company that in the same years collaborated with great masters such as Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa, Ignazio Gardella and Nino Zoncada. This network of collaborations allowed Lacca to operate within a highly innovative context, where artisanal tradition and international modernity met.
Today his works are highly sought after by collectors and international markets: his brass and glass bar carts, as well as armchairs and side tables, frequently appear in major design auctions and in galleries specialized in Italian modernism.
The production of Cesare Lacca bears witness to the creative energy of postwar Italian design, characterized by a harmonious synthesis of function, elegance and craftsmanship.