Three 1970s sofas, none with an internal frame, made of foam and upholstered in fabric or leather. Buyers looking for a vintage sofa often hesitate between the three. Behind the family resemblance, each has its own logic: publisher, designer, manufacturing process and second-hand market.
Togo, Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset (1973)
Michel Ducaroy designed it in 1973 for Ligne Roset, a French publisher based in Briord. The patent covers the manufacturing process: a block of polyurethane of several densities (firmer in the seat, softer in the back), pleated and compressed to create the characteristic form with its deep folds at the back. There is no wooden or metal frame: the foam provides both the structure and the comfort.
The Togo family comprises several pieces: armchair, two-seat sofa, three-seat sofa, chaise longue, armless chair, pouffe and children's armchair. The Togo has been produced without interruption since 1973.
Recognising an authentic vintage Togo:
- a Ducaroy and Ligne Roset label sewn underneath;
- characteristic folds at the back, never smoothed out;
- soft, continuous foam with no internal frame: you can press anywhere without meeting a hard structure;
- aniline leather or Ligne Roset fabric, marked on the inside.
On the vintage market: the price depends mainly on the element (armchair, two- or three-seater), the condition of the leather and the year. The 1973-1985 editions are the most sought after.
Mah Jong, Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois (1971)
Hans Hopfer designed it in 1971 for Roche Bobois. The principle differs from the Togo's: it is a modular sofa made of independent cushions that stack and combine (seat, back, arm). Each owner composes the sofa to suit the use and the space available, which puts the Mah Jong as close to a futon as to a conventional sofa.
From the 2000s onward, Roche Bobois relaunched the Mah Jong with fabrics signed by fashion houses (Missoni, Jean Paul Gaultier, Kenzo Takada). These textile editions now make up most of the Mah Jong market, and the 1971-1990 editions in their original fabrics are rarer.
Recognising an authentic vintage Mah Jong:
- a Roche Bobois label sewn onto every cushion, not only on the set;
- independent cushions (seat, back, arm), with no assembly structure;
- multi-density moulded foam, with no internal frame;
- on the Missoni editions (since 2003), the Missoni signature woven into the textile.
On the vintage market: the price depends on the number of cushions, the fabric and its condition. Editions signed by fashion houses sell for more than standard fabrics, and the rare 1971-1990 editions in their original fabrics are sought after.
Camaleonda, Mario Bellini for B&B Italia (1970)
Mario Bellini designed it in 1970 for C&B Italia, renamed B&B Italia in 1973. Its approach differs again: it is a modular sofa made of individual cushions linked by a system of hooks and rings, so they can be assembled in a line or around a corner. Inside, as with the Togo and the Mah Jong, there is multi-density moulded foam and no wooden or metal frame.
B&B Italia relaunched the Camaleonda in 2020, after a long interruption since the 1980s. Vintage pieces from 1970-1985 are rare; the reissues have been in continuous production since 2020.
Recognising an authentic vintage Camaleonda:
- a C&B Italia label (1970-1973) or B&B Italia label (after 1973) on every cushion;
- a system of metal hooks and rings between the cushions, which are therefore not simply stacked;
- moulded foam in a single piece for each cushion, with no frame;
- leather marked B&B Italia, or the original fabric.
On the vintage market: it is the most expensive of the three. The price depends on the number of modules and the condition of the leather, and few period pieces come up.
Comparison
| Criterion | Togo (1973) | Mah Jong (1971) | Camaleonda (1970) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designer | Michel Ducaroy | Hans Hopfer | Mario Bellini |
| Publisher | Ligne Roset (FR) | Roche Bobois (FR) | B&B Italia (IT) |
| Structure | Continuous piece, folds | Separate stackable cushions | Cushions linked by hooks |
| Modularity | Low (no modules) | Very high (independent cushions) | High (combinable modules) |
| Vintage market | Fairly common, price set by condition and leather | Mostly recent textile editions | Rare, highest prices |
| Production | Continuous since 1973 | Continuous, textile relaunches | Reissued in 2020 after an interruption |
Which one to choose, by use?
For a conventional living room or a studio, the Togo is the most versatile. Its continuous form has real presence without needing any configuration, and the three-seater seats two to three people. New, it comes in around a hundred fabrics and several Ligne Roset leathers.
For a large living room, or a use somewhere between bed and sofa, the Mah Jong is the most flexible: you can take it apart, extend it and reconfigure it at will. It also suits relaxed uses best (drinks, parties, working from home). The Missoni editions give it a strong textile identity.
For a large space, an Italian modernist mood and a substantial budget, the Camaleonda is the most suitable. It is the rarest of the three on the vintage market and the most expensive; since 2020, the B&B Italia reissue offers a new alternative.
At LAPIERRE MARKET
The sofas we offer are checked (foam, hooks, labels) and described with their provenance. If you are looking for one of these three models, write to us with the configuration and upholstery you have in mind.
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LAPIERRE MARKET
