Overview
Iconic series of folding chairs model Clio, designed by Giorgio Cattelan and produced by Cidue in the 1970s, made of black lacquered steel with leather seat.
Description
These seats represent one of the most successful expressions of Italian industrial design of the period, where functionality, structural lightness, and formal research coexist in perfect balance.
The steel structure, slender yet extremely solid and heavy, draws a continuous and fluid profile that defines both the legs and the backrest, generating a dynamic and immediately recognizable line.
The folding system, perfectly integrated into the design, does not compromise the aesthetics but rather becomes an integral part of it, emphasizing the design intelligence of the piece.
Design & Function
The result is a chair that combines rigor and comfort, designed to be practical yet with a strong visual presence, perfect for both contemporary domestic settings and contract or collectible environments.
Available in series, ideal for use around a dining table or as a modular set easily storable thanks to their folding nature.
Materials & Aesthetic
The black leather seat introduces a warmer and more sophisticated material component, creating a refined contrast with the coldness of the lacquered steel.
Technical Details
Product: Clio Chairs
Designer: Giorgio Cattelan
Manufacturer: Cidue
Period: 1970s
Materials: Black lacquered steel; leather seat
Dimensions: Length: 50cm | Depth: 42cm | Height: 78cm | Seat Height: 48cm
Condition: Please note that this item is in good vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We kindly invite you to take these characteristics into consideration before purchasing.
Functionality: Seating for dining tables, living environments, contract spaces, or collectible contexts; folding structure for easy storage and transport
Collectibility
Successful example of 1970s Italian industrial design, where functionality, structural lightness, and formal research coexist in balance.
Designer & Manufacturer
Giorgio Cattelan developed a focused yet highly coherent body of work with Cidue, contributing to the evolution of Italian industrial design in the 1970s. His approach within the company was grounded in clarity of structure and efficiency of production, exploring the expressive potential of metal while maintaining a strong commitment to functionality.
Cattelan’s designs for Cidue are characterized by clean, continuous lines and intelligent mechanical solutions—such as integrated folding systems—that become part of the visual identity of the object. Through a careful balance between lightness and structural strength, he created pieces that are practical, durable, and visually precise.
His work reflects a broader design attitude of the time: reducing form to its essentials while elevating everyday objects through proportion, detail, and industrial innovation.