Items Similar to Chair First by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano, Italy, 1981
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Chair First by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano, Italy, 1981
$1,653.93
£1,225.40
€1,380
CA$2,280.76
A$2,414.73
CHF 1,306.78
MX$28,860.45
NOK 16,288.88
SEK 14,895.60
DKK 10,512.96
About the Item
An iconic First chair designed in 1981 by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano. This celebrated piece stands as a defining statement of the Memphis movement and of postmodern design at the beginning of the 1980s.
The First chair is instantly recognizable for its playful, symbolic composition. Circular and linear elements intersect in a deliberately graphic manner, combining a rounded backrest disc with arcing metal supports and contrasting spherical accents. The composition feels almost diagrammatic, evoking the visual language of electronics, interfaces, and emerging digital culture. Color, geometry, and structure are used not to hide construction, but to communicate ideas a core principle of postmodern thinking.
Rather than prioritizing neutrality or restraint, the First chair embraces meaning, irony, and visual expression. It reflects the Memphis belief that design should communicate values and cultural commentary as much as it serves function. As such, the chair occupies a unique position between furniture, sculpture, and manifesto.
A museum level object and an essential work for collectors of radical Italian design, Memphis, and postmodernism.
About the Designer
Michele De Lucchi is one of the most influential figures in late 20th-century design. As a founding member of the Memphis group, he played a key role in redefining design as a cultural and intellectual practice. His work spans architecture, furniture, and industrial design, and is represented in major international museum collections.
Condition
In very good condition, with light signs of use consistent with age.
Details
Designer: Michele De Lucchi
Producer: Memphis Milano
Country: Italy
Year: 1981
Materials: Metal, wood
Dimensions H 89 x W 65 x D 47 cm, seat heigt 46,5 cm
- Creator:Michele de Lucchi (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.04 in (89 cm)Width: 25.6 in (65 cm)Depth: 18.51 in (47 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Post-Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1981
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In very good condition, with light signs of use consistent with age.
- Seller Location:DE KWAKEL, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: 01050126SC1stDibs: LU10646248441172
About the Seller
New to 1stDibs
Joined in the past six months.
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
1stDibs seller since 2025
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: DE KWAKEL, Netherlands
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View All“Pala” Chair by Gigi Sabadin for Emme, Italy 1970s
By Gigi Sabadin
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
A sculptural and highly distinctive chair by Gigi Sabadin, designed for Emme in the 1970s. The “Pala” features a tall upright backrest, circular woven seat, and a ski-like split base...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Other Side Chairs
Materials
Reed, Wood
“Placide of Wood” Chair by Philippe Starck for Driade Italy, 1990
By Philippe Starck
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
The “Placide of Wood” chair is a refined example of Philippe Starck’s poetic approach to design, where sculptural form meets everyday function. Crafted...
Category
1990s Italian Other Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
Teodora Chair by Ettore Sottsass, 1986
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
An iconic Teodora chair designed in 1986 by Ettore Sottsass. This striking piece represents a mature moment in Sottsass’ postmodern practice, where radical form, symbolism, and refin...
Category
Vintage 1980s Swiss Side Chairs
Materials
Laminate, Plexiglass, Wood
Crisis Chair by Piet Hein Eek
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
The ‘Crisis Chair’ is one of Piet Hein Eek’s earliest and most emblematic designs. Created during his time as a student at the Design Academy Eindhoven, the chair emerged from a desi...
Category
Early 2000s Side Chairs
Materials
Plywood
First Edition PK22 Chairs by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen Denmark, 1958
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
An exceptional and highly collectible pair of early PK22 lounge chairs, designed in 1958 by Poul Kjærholm and produced by E. Kold Christensen. This is a rare first edition set, origi...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Handcrafted Italian Lounge Chair by Driade in Wood, Rope
Leather, Italy, 1990s
By Driade
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
This distinctive lounge chair, produced by Driade in the 1990s, beautifully merges craftsmanship and contemporary form. The sculpted wooden frame supports an enveloping backrest wove...
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Leather, Rope, Wood
You May Also Like
"First" Wood and Metal Chair, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Beirut, LB
Striking and bold, this chair designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1983 for Memphis will be a superb addition to a contemporary dining room, study, or entryway when used as a unique accent piece. The sophisticated design evokes planetary orbits...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
Two Chairs Mod. "First" by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis Milano, Ready to Ship
By Memphis Group, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of two chairs mod. "First Chair" designed by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis Milano, with structure in metal, seat backrest and armrests in lacquered wood in different colors. Ital...
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
MEMPHIS "FIRST" Chair / Michele De Lucchi (Italy) / Postmodern Chair
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The Most Popular MEMPHIS Chair!!!
FIRST is an iconic and sculptural creation conceived by Michele De Lucchi. The designer seems to be paying homage to Alexander Calder in the lightn...
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Kim Chair by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis-Milano, 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Renens, CH
The Kim chair was designed by the Italian architect Michele de Lucchi in 1987: De Lucchi was one of the co-founders of the Postmodern design group Memphis, headed by Ettore Sottsass....
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
First Wood and Metal Chair, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The First chair in enameled wood and metal, was originally designed in 1983 by Michele De Lucchi.
Michele De Lucchi was born in 1951 in Ferrara and graduated in architecture in Florence. During the period of radical and experimental architecture he was a prominent figure in movements like Cavart, Alchymia and Memphis. His architectural designs have been mainly for office buildings in Japan, in Germany, in Switzerland and in Italy. He has taken care of numerous art and design exhibitions and has planned buildings for museums as Triennale di Milano, Palazzo delle Esposizioni di Roma and Neues Museum...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Memphis First Chair by Michele de Lucchi circa 1983
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Oakland, CA
Early production Memphis First chair designed by Michele de Lucchi this chair that was purchased by the original owner who was working at the de Lucchi design studio in the 1980s in ...
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
