Mario Ceroli "Fratina" Sculptural Chairs for Poltronova, 1972, Set of 2

Design
1972

Manufacture
1970-1979

Location
Lonigo, IT

Mario Ceroli "Fratina" sculptural chairs for Poltronova, wood, Italy, 1972, set of two.

An iconic blend of radical design and archaic inspiration, the "Fratina" chairs by Mario Ceroli were designed in 1972 for Poltronova. Referencing medieval ecclesiastical furniture, Ceroli transforms the familiar silhouette into a sculptural object that feels both ancient and visionary.

Crafted entirely in solid wood, the design plays on symmetry and emptiness: the high, monolithic backrest narrows into a curved top, while the arched openings at the base recall Romanesque architecture. The overall volume is assertive, yet softened by the natural grain and warm finish of the timber.

Ceroli, a central figure in Italian Arte Povera and a sculptor by training, brought his radical sensibility to furniture design in the early '70s, often working with Poltronova under the artistic direction of Ettore Sottsass. The "Fratina" chair is a clear example of Ceroli’s approach—merging function with symbolic form, creating pieces that act as spatial interventions rather than mere objects of use.

Comparable in spirit to the works of Carlo Scarpa and the primal materiality explored by Enzo Mari, these chairs hold a strong visual presence in any setting—domestic, gallery, or conceptual.

The set can be split. The armchairs can be sold singularly.