Lacquered canapé by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina. Italy, 1975.

A sofa by the Japanese designer Kazuhide Takahama, featuring a wooden frame in a box shape lacquered using traditional Japanese techniques, with gently rounded edges and large original cushions covered in linen. It is the perfect fusion of classic Japanese minimalism and Italian sophistication of the era. Takahama's design philosophy viewed furniture as sculptural "boxes" capable of containing comfort. The contrast between the cold, impeccable, reflective lacquer and the warm, welcoming softness of the upholstered cushions creates an aesthetic tension of great visual impact. Depth: 82 cm. Width: 152 cm. Height: 72 cm. Seat height: 37 cm. Kazuhide Takahama (1930–2010) was a renowned Japanese architect and designer. Based in Bologna, Italy, he merged minimalism and contemplative Eastern tradition with the rigour of Western industrial design. He gained fame after designing the Japanese Pavilion at the Milan Triennale in 1957, where he began his famous and fruitful collaboration with the renowned entrepreneur Dino Gavina.