Pair of Design Armchairs in Yellow Velvet by Marco Zanuso, Italian Work, Circa 1960

A pair of handsome design armchairs in vibrant yellow velvet, resting on compass-form wooden legs accented with decorative brass plaques on the front uprights, attributed to the eminent Italian architect and designer Marco Zanuso. The armchairs present a confident mid-century silhouette, combining generous well-upholstered forms with the elegant compass base popular in Italian design of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The yellow velvet upholstery — rich, luminous, and boldly chromatic — injects a note of optimistic colour entirely characteristic of the period's design ethos.

Marco Zanuso (1916–2001) was one of the most significant figures of Italian post-war design. An architect by training, he joined the progressive circle of Milanese designers who transformed Italian manufacturing into a celebrated art form. His collaboration with Arflex produced some of the most iconic seating designs of the era — including the celebrated "Lady" armchair (1951, Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale) — and established him as a pioneer in the use of materials such as foam rubber. His armchairs are characterised by a perfect balance of formal innovation, manufacturing intelligence, and ergonomic comfort.

Presented as a pair, these armchairs offer the possibility of creating a coherent and stylish seating group in any interior. Their vibrant yellow velvet and the refined detail of the brass-accented compass base make them ideal companions for a mid-century salon or a more contemporary space in search of authentic vintage character and sculptural presence.