Magistretti for Cassina adjustable Veranda settee – £3000 at Mallams.
The black leather adjustable sofa, above, offered at Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) Modern Living sale at Cheltenham is an example.
It was designed by Milan architect Vico Magistretti (1920-2006) for Meda-based Cassina, which began as an artisan workshop in 1927 and launched its mass-produced ‘industrial’ designs in the 1950s.
The 8ft 2in (2.5m) wide Veranda settee, adjustable for height and swivelling on its base, was estimated at £500-800 on August 17 and realised £3000 via thesaleroom.com.
A matching pair of reclining armchairs, adjustable on rather stiff mechanism, were offered separately with £150-300 estimates and sold online at £480 and £450.
All Magistretti’s pieces went to the same Home Counties private buyer.
Eames imitation
Ekornes Stressless recliner and ottoman – £170 at Clevedon Salerooms.
The recliner and ottoman combination has been a staple since Charles and Ray Eames unveiled their iconic Models 670 and 671 in 1956.
Still by a distance the market favourite, it has been an inspiration for furniture makers worldwide including the Norwegian international concern Ekornes, with its roots in the three-man workshop Jens Ekornes founded in 1934.
The Stressless (one of the company’s names) swivel easy chair and footstool was first on the market in 1971. The example pitched at £80-120 at Clevedon Salerooms (22% buyer’s premium) on Sept 22 made £170.
