Side chair

This rare Italian side chair was produced by A. Bulleri & Co. in Cascina during the 1960s. Though the designer remains unknown, the chair’s form clearly embodies the experimental and sculptural spirit characteristic of mid-century Italian design, where traditional craftsmanship intersected with bold, expressive silhouettes. The chair features a tall ladder-back composed of four undulating horizontal rails that gradually decrease in size toward the seat. These organically contoured backrest elements integrate into two slender vertical stiles that taper upward, ending in delicate pointed finials.

The frame is made from turned wood and finished in a high-gloss lacquer of vibrant vermilion red. This bold coloration contrasts strikingly with the rustic handwoven cane seat, which is tightly arranged in a basket-weave pattern. The front and rear legs are slightly splayed and connected by sculpted stretchers, including a central turned decorative element on the front stretcher that highlights the artisanal craftsmanship. The legs end in fine, tapering feet with subtle curves, enhancing the chair’s light visual presence.

Stylistically, the chair is situated within the mid-century modern movement but also reflects influences from traditional Tuscan vernacular and post-war avant-garde aesthetics. The combination of natural materials such as cane with vibrant lacquer and pronounced verticality represents a departure from the restrained functionalism of Northern European modernism, aligning instead with the expressive character of Italian post-war design.

The chair remains in very good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use. The cane seat is intact and taut, and the lacquered finish maintains a strong sheen with minimal surface markings. The dimensions are 41 cm wide, 45 cm deep, and 110 cm high, with a seat height of 43 cm, approximately 16.1 inches wide, 17.7 inches deep, 43.3 inches high, and a seat height of 16.9 inches.