Luigi Tiengo No. 500-13 Sofa in Chocolate Mohair for Cimon Montréal, 1960's

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Prepare yourself for a sofa that’s truly out of this world: a rare, Luigi Tiengo gondola masterpiece that’ll make your … Read more Prepare yourself for a sofa that’s truly out of this world: a rare, Luigi Tiengo gondola masterpiece that’ll make your heart skip a beat! This sculptural marvel, crafted by Montreal’s very own Cimon in the early 1960s, is the No. 500-13 sofa, and it’s a vision straight from the dreamiest corners of mid-century modern heaven. A sleek, low-slung gondola form perched on a meticulously sculpted walnut base, its legs angled out in the back like a praying mantis, ready to launch into an atomic-age adventure. The walnut base has been ebonized to perfection, flaunting a semi-gloss black sheen that channels all the drama and grace of a Vladimir Kagan contour lounge. Yep, it’s that good.

Freshly wrapped in the richest chocolate-brown cotton mohair, this sofa brings a touch of luxe that feels like a warm hug. And here’s the kicker: the cushion is upholstered on both sides, so if life throws a spill your way, just flip it, and voilà — crisis averted. Talk about the ultimate design-for-life philosophy, right?

Let’s sprinkle in some context: Luigi Tiengo, the Italian-born designer who dreamed up this sculptural sensation, is a legend in his own right. He moved from his native Italy to Canada in the 1950s and brought with him a touch of European flair and a relentless eye for detail. Tiengo designed with an edge and an avant-garde style, which led him to work with big Canadian names like Cimon Ltd. His furniture wasn’t just furniture; it was art, earning him a handful of prestigious design awards and a well-deserved spot among the stars of mid-century modernism.

Speaking of stars, Tiengo ran with a fabulous crowd. Think Adrian Pearsall, the American designer with an untamed, architectural approach to furniture — known for those daring angles and bold lines that seemed to defy gravity. Then there’s Vladimir Kagan, a fellow sculptural genius whose sinuous lounge chairs, like this sofa’s dark and sultry cousin, are iconic in every way. These visionaries defined an era, and Tiengo? Well, he didn’t just keep up — he carved his own brilliant path.

Now, here’s the cherry on top: only one other of these rare gondola sofas exists in the U.S., and it’s not even restored! So if you’re after a true, impeccably restored mid-century marvel that’s equal parts art and seat-of-your-dreams, this Tiengo piece is calling your name. See less