Chair First by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano, Italy, 1981 (SOLD)

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