For the first time in its 60-year history, Kartell will pay homage to one of the most iconic – and perhaps uncharacteristic – pieces in its archive with the reissue of Joe Colombo’s 4801 Armchair. Originally designed by the Italian master in 1965, the 4801 chair is famous for being the only Kartell piece ever to be made entirely of wood.
Now, nearly fifty years later, Kartell has developed the complex and technically challenging engineering methods necessary to produce the design as originally envisioned, in its signature plastic. To celebrate the release of the chair, Kartell will partner with R 20th Century in New York, to present an exhibition examining Colombo’s rich collaboration with the company.