Cassina.

Cassina

Cassina is the Italian editor that brought modern furniture from archive to catalogue. Founded in Meda in 1927, the house emerged as the leading 20th-century Italian editor through a triple positioning: industrialisation of the LC collection by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand under the I Maestri name from 1965 onwards, continuous editing of signature Italian pieces (Mario Bellini, Vico Magistretti, Gianfranco Frattini), and progressive openness to contemporary international designers. LAPIERRE sources and authenticates primarily pieces from productions between 1965 and 2000.

Brand history

The Cassina workshop opened in 1927 in Meda, in Brianza, the historic Italian furniture-production region north of Milan. Brothers Cesare and Umberto Cassina originally produced traditional furniture for the local market. The post-war period marked an industrial and cultural turning point: Cassina progressively abandoned series craftsmanship to position itself as a designer editor. The first significant collaborations developed with Gio Ponti in the late 1940s (Superleggera and Distex chairs), then with Franco Albini, Vico Magistretti, and Gianfranco Frattini in the 1950s and 1960s.

The decisive turn came in 1964-1965. Cassina obtained exclusive licences from the Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand estates to reissue the collection designed in the late 1920s. The collection was launched commercially in 1965 under the name I Maestri (The Masters) and became the economic and symbolic pillar of the house. LC2, LC3, LC4 chaise longue, LC6 table are its founding pieces. The collection progressively expanded to Frank Lloyd Wright (Taliesin), Gerrit Rietveld (Red and Blue Chair, Zig-Zag), Erik Gunnar Asplund.

In parallel, Cassina edited contemporary Italian production. Mario Bellini designed the Cab Chair (412) for the house in 1977, a steel structure covered with leather sewn envelope-style, which became an icon. Vico Magistretti signed the Maralunga sofa (1973) with its patented tilting backrest. Gaetano Pesce developed his resin research there. More recently, Patricia Urquiola, Rodolfo Dordoni, and Konstantin Grcic joined the catalogue. The house remains independent, based in Meda, with production entirely concentrated in Italy.

Signature pieces we source

LC2 and LC3 Grand Confort (Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, Perriand, 1928). Chromed tubular armchair and sofa with independent leather cushions. Founding pieces of the I Maestri collection. In vintage, LC2 and LC3 from Cassina productions of the 1970s-1990s in black or cognac leather are among the most demanded pieces of the catalogue.

LC4 Chaise Longue (Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, Perriand, 1928). Chaise longue with curved structure and black base, covered in black leather, pony skin, or canvas. Iconic piece. LC4 from the 1970s-1990s are regularly sourced in varying conditions.

Cab Chair 412 (Mario Bellini, 1977). Tubular structure entirely covered with sewn zipped leather. Designed for Cassina, became iconic. Vintage Cab in black, fawn, or cognac leather is regularly sourced. The 413 chair (with armrests) and Cab sofa share the same construction principles.

Maralunga (Vico Magistretti, 1973). Sofa with patented tilting backrest, in leather or fabric. Innovative articulated-backrest design that lifts to high-back position. Signature Italian 1970s piece, demanded in black, brick red, or cream leather.

Magistretti catalogue for Cassina. Eclisse lamps and Magistretti-signed armchairs from the 1960s-1980s. Although primarily a luminaire editor at Artemide, Magistretti signed for Cassina several identifiable furniture pieces.

I Maestri Wright and Rietveld pieces. Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin chairs, Rietveld Red and Blue Chair, Zig-Zag, rarer in French vintage but sought after by collectors.

Authenticating an original

Authentication of a Cassina piece rests on multiple combined markings. Serial number: LC collection pieces carry an engraved or stamped serial number on the metal structure, allowing tracing of production year and registry conformity. Cassina labels: period labels sewn on cushions or glued under the seat, mentioning designer name and model reference. Metal plaque: on recent pieces, an inset metal plate indicates Cassina, designer, and year. Material consistency: full-grain leather, chromed tubular structure to original specifications, characteristic stitching quality. Unlicensed copies often present slightly different proportions (LC2 deeper or wider than original spec), less dense stitching, or lower-quality leather. For pieces without clear marking, LAPIERRE cross-checks several clues before validation.

LAPIERRE process for this brand

Each incoming Cassina piece is inspected for markings, leather condition, structural integrity, and dimensional consistency with the Cassina standard. Leather is evaluated for thickness, patina, and any prior restorations. Chromed structures are checked for corrosion and impact. Pieces whose authenticity cannot be confirmed by cross-referencing several clues are refused. For sold pieces, LAPIERRE can offer leather restoration by partner saddler if the client expresses the need, with prior quote.

Request a search

A specific Cassina piece (LC2, LC3, LC4, Cab, Maralunga) in a colour or condition not currently in selection? Write to LAPIERRE with the brief: model, leather colour, desired condition. Our team activates its Italian and European sourcing network. Response within a few days with availability, quote, and timeline.