Paolo Gucci for Formitalia – two-seater sofa in black leather and burl wood

A rare and distinctive Italian two-seater sofa, designed by Paolo Gucci for Formitalia in the early 1990s. The sofa is upholstered in deep black leather and finished with warm burl wood panels, slim brass-coloured details and black leather with a woven relief texture. At the front is a decorative leather strap with buckle; on the side is Paolo Gucci’s original oval coat of arms. The undulating line of the side panels and the generously filled loose cushions make the design both sculptural and comfortable. The back is fully finished, so the sofa can stand freely in a room. Paolo Gucci was a grandson of Guccio Gucci and worked under his own name on furniture and lifestyle collections. His furniture designs for Formitalia are far less known and considerably rarer than the fashion and leather goods of the family firm. The design references the world of luxury leather goods, travel bags, trunks and traditional horse tack; the combination of heavy black leather, rich burl wood and metal details gives the sofa its unmistakably Italian luxury feel. Beautiful in a rich yet restrained interior with travertine, marble, lime plaster, dark woods, brass and art. It also comes into its own in an eclectic, postmodern or Art Deco-inspired interior. Condition: good original vintage condition, not re-dyed or fully restored. The leather is deep, even black throughout with a lovely natural sheen, with craquelure, creasing and signs of use consistent with age; small areas of wear on seams, piping and armrests. The burl wood has some scratches, small lacquer damage and signs of use, mainly around the lower corners. The metal details and buckle have a light natural patina.