About the Item

Brown leather armchair by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti's Confidential collection. Matching sofa available, sold separately. Alberto Rosselli (1921–1976) was an Italian architect, designer, editor, and critic whose influence extended well beyond furniture. Trained as an architect, he was deeply embedded in postwar Italian design culture, working closely with figures such as Gio Ponti and contributing to the intellectual framing of modern design through his role as co-founder and long-time editor of Domus. Rosselli’s design approach emphasized clarity of form, industrial logic, and adaptability—qualities that translated naturally into furniture systems rather than isolated objects. Saporiti Italia, founded in Besnate in 1948, became one of Italy’s most forward-looking furniture manufacturers during the 1960s and 1970s. The company was known for close collaborations with architects and designers and for embracing new materials—particularly molded plastics and fiberglass—alongside traditional upholstery. Saporiti positioned itself at the intersection of comfort, modularity, and modern living, anticipating changing domestic and contract interiors. Rosselli’s Confidential seating series for Saporiti, developed in the early 1970s, reflects this shared philosophy. Rather than designing a single chair, Rosselli conceived a coordinated family of lounge seating—chairs, sofas, and modular elements—with soft, enveloping forms set on sculptural molded bases. The collection balanced visual mass with ergonomic comfort, aligning Rosselli’s architectural sensibility with Saporiti’s technical capacity for industrial production. Today, the Confidential chairs are regarded as emblematic of Italian design’s shift in the 1970s toward relaxed luxury, expressive form, and system-based furniture rather than rigid modernist minimalism.

Creator:
Alberto Rosselli Saporiti (Designer),Saporiti (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Leather
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
1970-1979
Date of Manufacture:
1970s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Good vintage condition. Patina and mild surface wear consistent with age and use. Minor blemishes.
Seller Location:
Brooklyn, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU6006248305932

Shop All Saporiti

Saporiti

Established initially as Fratelli Saporiti in 1950, mid-century Italian furniture maker Saporiti Italia has a reputation for avant-garde and enduring designs, and its tables, chairs and cabinets inspire all who have had the pleasure of contemplating them.

Furniture designer Sergio Saporiti founded Fratelli Saporiti with a vision of creating pieces ahead of their time. By staying on top of the cultural shifts taking shape during the postwar era — and finding inspiration in the craftsmanship, durability and sensibility of Scandinavian design — Saporiti was able to tap into what the public wanted. His focus on using high-quality materials ensured that every welcoming chair and table could be used and enjoyed for decades to come.

In 1965, Saporiti collaborated with Italian designer Alberto Rosselli, a pioneer of the industrial design movement. They created such iconic pieces as the Confidential sofa, the Moby Dick chaise lounge and the Jumbo chair. In the 1970s, Saporiti initiated another collaboration with Italian designer Giovanni Offredi. The prolific partnership resulted in universally renowned designs like the Paracarro table and the Sail chair. Together, they also created the curving Wave sofa, which was popular in international markets.

The joint projects were a success, and the brand opened many international showrooms throughout the 1970s. This era also led to a partnership with Missoni — the celebrated Italian fashion brand worked closely with Giorgio Saporiti to create rugs and fabrics for its range of seating and more, and later, in 1983, Missoni expanded into home furnishings. At this time, the company officially rebranded as Saporiti Italia and released a line of customizable furniture, including the Avedon sofa, in collaboration with designer Mauro Lipparini.

Since then, Saporiti Italia has pivoted to furniture contracting and design management. To this day, the company remains under the ownership of the Saporiti family, and vintage Saporiti furniture continues to capture the imagination of collectors worldwide.

Find Saporiti Italia lounge chairs, coffee tables and sofas on 1stDibs.

Materials

Metal

Leather "Confidential" Chair by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti

About the Item

Saporiti

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