Overview
Elegant “Giulia” Bergère Armchair, Model 877, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina and produced in Italy in 1959, distinguished by its imposing wingback silhouette.
The armchair combines the generous proportions of a traditional bergère with the structural clarity of Italian mid-century modern design, creating an elegant balance between comfort and architectural expression.
Description
The Model 877 “Giulia” armchair is characterized by its tall, generously padded backrest, complemented by two prominent lateral wings that curve inward to create an enveloping seating area.
The backrest extends smoothly toward the deep seat, while the substantial padded armrests follow a gentle downward inclination, giving the chair a relaxed and inviting appearance.
The upholstered body is supported by an exposed wooden frame with angled legs and horizontal crossbars, creating an interesting contrast between the substantial upper volume and the lighter supporting structure.
Particularly distinctive is the side profile, where the sharply inclined wooden supports establish a strong geometric relationship with the softer curves of the salmon-pink upholstery with a geometric zigzag pattern.
Design & Function
The Giulia represents Frattini's modern reinterpretation of the traditional wingback chair, retaining its characteristic high backrest and protective side wings while introducing a more architectural construction.
The generous proportions and inclined seating position make it particularly suitable as a lounge or reading armchair.
Rather than concealing the supporting frame within the upholstered body, Frattini leaves its structural elements visible, emphasizing the relationship between the seating shell and the wooden base.
This distinctive construction gives the chair a recognizable identity within Italian furniture design of the late 1950s.
Materials & Aesthetic
The armchair is upholstered in salmon-pink fabric featuring an intricate geometric zigzag pattern, with alternating horizontal bands in slightly contrasting shades of pink and muted mauve.
The textile introduces a lively decorative element, while the carefully shaped upholstery highlights the contours of the backrest, wings, and armrests.
The exposed wooden structure presents a warm brown finish, providing an elegant contrast to the softer tones of the fabric.
The combination of expressive textile decoration and restrained wooden construction gives the armchair a sophisticated vintage character.
Technical Details
Product: Gianfranco Frattini Mid Century Pink Fabric and Wood Bergère Armchair mod. 877 for Cassina
Designer: Gianfranco Frattini
Manufacturer: Cassina, Italy
Period: 1959
Materials: Wood structure, padded upholstery, salmon-pink geometric patterned fabric
Dimensions: Length: 84cm | Depth: 93cm | Height: 103cm | Height of the seat: 41cm
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.
Collectibility
The Model 877 Giulia holds a significant place among Gianfranco Frattini's early seating designs for Cassina.
Originally designed in 1957 and documented in Domus magazine, issue 361, December 1959, the armchair represents an important example of the evolution of Italian upholstered furniture during the postwar period.
Its distinctive wingback construction and exposed supporting frame make it particularly appealing to collectors of Gianfranco Frattini, historic Cassina production, and Italian mid-century modern seating.
Designer & Manufacturer
Gianfranco Frattini (1926–2004) was an influential Italian architect and designer who graduated from the Politecnico di Milano and began his professional career working with Gio Ponti.
During the 1950s, he developed a close collaboration with Cassina, designing a series of seating pieces that explored new relationships between traditional craftsmanship, structural innovation, and modern living.
His work encompasses furniture, lighting, and interior architecture, characterized by refined proportions and careful attention to construction.
Cassina, established in Meda, Italy, became one of the leading manufacturers of modern Italian furniture, collaborating with prominent architects and designers to develop innovative collections.
The company's collaboration with Frattini contributed to the development of several important designs that remain representative of the sophisticated furniture culture of postwar Italy.
