Vintage Iyalian Superleggera Black Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina, 1960s, Set of 9

Set of 9 early edition Gio Ponti 699 Superleggera Chairs by Cassina in black, Italy, 1960's.

Gio Ponti designed the Superleggera chair in 1957 for the company Cassina. It is considered an iconic piece of furniture design and a symbol of mid-century modern style.

The Superleggera wood chair is the rare combination of the architect’s innovative quest and the cutting-edge experimentation by the Meda-based company, becoming the indisputable icon and masterpiece of modernity and extreme artisanal elegance.
A highlight of Cassina’s catalogue since 1957, the Superleggera represents the perfect outcome between the creative imagination of the architect Gio Ponti, and Cassina’s manufacturing excellence, an undisputed icon that is both of- the-moment and pays tribute to traditional artisanal skills. Superleggera demonstrates the constructive prowess of the MedaMade craftsmen: the challenge they faced, of making an extra-light chair, was overcome with the Superleggera’s legs having a cross-section of just eighteen millimetres, the whole weighing a mere 1,700 grams (3.7 pounds)!
While the frame exploits the inherent lightness and flexibility of ashwood, the seat surround is in beech, which is more close-grained and stronger.
The wood parts are created by machine, and hand-finished, glue being applied with a brush, the excess being wiped off, and the seat being hand-woven.
The seat is typically made of a woven straw or rush material, adding to the chair's lightness and natural aesthetic.

The Superleggera chair has become an enduring design classic, celebrated for its harmonious proportions, refined details, and timeless appeal. It represents Gio Ponti's mastery of combining form and function, creating a piece of furniture that is not only visually appealing but also practical and comfortable.

The seats of the chairs are in very good condition, on some chairs the paint flakes of on some places (see the pictures).