Designed in 1934 by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Cassina's Zig Zag chair is a milestone in modern design, one of the first examples of a cantilevered chair in solid wood. Composed of four surfaces joined in a rhythmic sequence, its structure defies gravity with an apparent instability that reveals itself, instead, to be extremely refined.
Rietveld subverts the traditional sequence of elements—legs, seat, backrest—replacing it with a single sheet of wood bent to form an inverted Z. The mastery of Cassina's carpenters is expressed in the dovetail joints, executed with artisan precision, which lend solidity and aesthetic value to the structure.
Particularly striking is the coloured version with an open-pore finish, which enhances the wood grain and echoes the colour variations designed by Rietveld to emphasise the dialogue between vertical, oblique and horizontal lines. This treatment transforms the chair into a visually vibrant and architectural object.
With its bold profile and versatility, the Cassina Zig Zag chair stands out as a functional work of art: a seat, a table top, a sculptural element capable of enriching any environment with its playful and original spirit.
