Set of Leather Cab Chairs

Set of 10 natural leather Cab chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina. These chairs were a new kind of chair, constructed totally out of leather. They were the first-ever chair to feature a free-standing leather structure, inspired by how our skin fits over our skeleton. The upholstery consists of sixteen pieces of saddle leather. Individually die-cut, they then undergo fourteen discrete procedures, again by hand. The pieces are sewn together only when their outer edges have been trimmed to ensure a perfect fit. Once assembled, the cover is attached to the chair's steel skeleton and held in place by means of a zipper fastening, as in a bespoke tailored garment.

Italy, circa 1970