Designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1977, the Cab 412 chair is a significant example of late twentieth-century Italian furniture design.

The design is based on an innovative construction principle: a lightweight steel frame is entirely enveloped in a tailored leather covering, creating a chair conceived almost as a fitted garment. The leather is not simply applied as a surface finish but functions as an integral structural element, stretched and zipped around the frame to form the seat, back and arms.

The result is a chair in which structure and upholstery are inseparable. Bellini’s approach allowed the rigid metal framework to be combined with the softness and adaptability of leather, producing a design that is both visually distinctive and exceptionally comfortable.

This set comprises six original Cab 412 chairs, upholstered in black leather. They have developed a rich patina through age and use, with the leather taking on a depth and character that is unique to older examples. The edges of the backs and legs show natural wear, revealing the warm orange tone beneath the black surface and creating a distinctive outline that emphasises the chairs’ sculptural form.

A landmark piece by one of Italy’s most influential architects and designers, the Cab chair remains notable for its originality of construction and its direct expression of material and form.