Rare Luigi Colani for Fritz Hansen Sofa in Orange Upholstery

Luigi Colani for Fritz Hansen, sofa, chrome-plated steel, metal, orange fabric, Denmark, 1970s

The German industrial designer Luigi Colani was renowned for incorporating organic shapes inspired by nature into cutting-edge creations such as supersonic aircraft and high-performance automobiles. In the design world of the 1970s, it was commonplace to see sofas featuring a soft, organic layout and rendered in the most vibrant colors. Noted designers such as Pierre Paulin, Olivier Mourgue, Mario Bellini, Rossi di Albizzate, Tito Agnoli, Verner Panton, Cini Boeri, Gaetano Pesce, and Joe Colombo, to name a few, contributed to this tradition. This rare sofa is comprised of three seating elements carried out in a curved shape and attached to each other via steel rods. The outer frames feature the same concave shape which are supported by distinctive, conical-shaped feet. The back visualizes a striking interplay of angular shapes with round finishes, allowing the user to place the sofa in the centre of the interior.

The provenance behind these pieces is quite fascinating. The individual who obtained the living room set had a close personal and professional relationship with designer Luigi Colani, even residing at his castle for a time. Although the pieces were only produced in limited quantities and did not achieve widespread popularity, they held sentimental value as a sign of appreciation from Colani to his friend.

After studying sculpture at the Art Academy in Berlin, Luigi Colani (1928-2019) pursued further studies in aerodynamics at the Sorbonne in Paris, resulting in a unique approach to design that differed from the German-educated classic designer of his generation. By blending his knowledge of both fields, Colani had an innate understanding of the three-dimensional body, allowing him to shape his designs with his hands and refine them by the mind using aerodynamic principles. This led to the development of his signature sculptural style, which was seen in his first automobile designs from the 1950s and later sparked a revolution in German design with his sculptural furniture in the 1970s. Colani's designs were marked by a soft, sculptural effect that was tailored to the human body. His focus was on people rather than machines, and he created furniture for them that was customized to their body's requirements and aimed for a balance with nature. Colani’s design philosophy was influenced by his appreciation for Art Nouveau, an artistic movement that was not constrained by the demands of industrial production but instead focused on nature and its phenomena.

Please note that the fabric contains stains and tears. Reupholstery is possible before shipping by our experienced craftsman and -women in our own in-house restoration atelier. With high attention for the original, they make sure every piece retains its value and is ready for the many years to come. We kindly ask you to contact our design experts for further information about the endless possibilities our restoration and upholstery atelier has to offer. Of course, a locally organized reupholstery is possible as well.

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