Pair of Tito Agnoli Footstools, Italy 1960s (sold)














Pair of Tito Agnoli Footstools, Italy 1960s (sold)
Tito Agnoli, a 20th-century Italian designer, was initially trained as an architect. Throughout his career, he worked alongside iconic Italian creatives like Gio Ponti and Carlo De Carli. Agnoli’s work from the 1950s and 60s reveals how he integrated structural thinking into his visual language. His models, incorporating natural materials, expanded the design vocabulary of modern Italian domestic objects, demonstrating that modernism did not have to be cold or metallic to maintain rigor.
These footstools make this approach visible. The bases are constructed from bent rattan arranged in a continuous vertical rhythm, forming a cylinder that feels both open and solid at once. Rattan is not merely decorative here. Its flexibility and strength allow the structure to remain light without feeling fragile, while the natural, warm tone gives the form a grounded presence. The circular seats are upholstered in soft, off-white sheepskin, providing a tactile contrast to the smooth rattan bodies. Balance is achieved through the relationship between the swirling verticality of the rattan and the clean, round plane of the seat, giving these pieces a sense of warmth, relaxation, and discipline. Versatile in its functionality, this pair brings a touch of natural beauty indoors. Their timeless allure and understated sophistication make them beloved accent pieces in modern interiors, standing as a testament to the enduring appeal of organic materials and masterful craftsmanship.
These stools embody a moment in Italian design when comfort, scale, and everyday use were valued alongside clarity of line. Their honesty allows the structure and materials to shine and remain central to the design. In a room, they are not simple accent objects, but rather elements that help establish atmosphere.
SOLD
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Items have recently been reupholstered in premium sheepskin. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
17.32 in ø x 19.68 in H
44 cm ø x 50 cm H
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Price category: 12,500 - 15,000 usd / eur
The “Laila” model by the Finnish designer, Ilmari Lappalainen, originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection.
This pair of armchairs are from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic mid-century modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating, that it prevented back problems. These armchairs have a cosy modern style, modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushions and back with five tufted buttons. The bodies have the classic Nordic look, which explains the contemporary popularity of these armchairs both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the soft sheepskin upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well.
Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. These chairs were created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930, the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s present Laila armchairs.
Condition:
In good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature and age of the material, the chairs may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in premium sheepskin. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
32.67 in W x 34.64 in D x 34.44 in H; Seat height 17.71 in
83 cm W x 88 cm D x 87.5 cm H; Seat height 45 cm