Fiberlite and Velvet Amanta Lounge Chairs by Mario Bellini for C&b Italia, 1972, Set of 2

Pair of beautiful “Amanta” modular lounge chairs by Mario Bellini for C & B Italia, originals from September 1972, original and much used leather.

Two shaped armchairs with white enameled Fiber lite structure are raised from the ground by four feet in hard black rubber. The original velvet of the period is brown. Incorporating 3 foam block, the cushions carry three number buttons per side.

B&B Italia, (then C&B Italia), for Mario Bellini was a real “Industry for Design” which offered the then young architect and designer fertile ground for the first highly innovative projects: like Amanta in 1966, the year of foundation of the company.
The solution of the shell separated from the padded part and made of plastic material (for which the company equips itself with a 1500 ton press) defines the new standard of the new generation seats and indeed transforms a technical element, to be hidden from the eye, into a strongly expressive and characterizing element.
The seat with supporting shell in printed polyester and fiberglass on which the cushions are fixed with a system of threaded pins. It updates the layout of the Barcelona chair by Mies van der Rohe.
Amanta is a functional furniture, what is particularly striking at first glance is the wide range of the glossy plastic membrane. Bellini has taken advantage of the fluid character of this material to create a sculptural form, a real sign.
An interesting feature is also the slit along the center back, added to increase stamina without strengthening force.
Like the spherical rubber feet that maximize elasticity and lighten the overall appearance of the chair.