People, I’m here to tell you… the struggle is REAL… there’s a sad, sad truth to the fascinating, but oh-so-struggle-some world of vintage furniture findings… WAY too often you acquire a fabulous piece and you are SURE it is designed by “so-and-so” … or made by “you-know-who”… but alas… no tag, no label, no sticker, no marking what-so-ever! Oh sure, occasionally…when you get lucky… you may have a PARTIAL tag, a wee smidge of what was once validation, or the mere scapings of a letter or defining mark that you just KNOW belongs to someplace, somewhere, or SOMEONE worthy of proper identification to your magnificent finding… BUT no matter the frustration… you must take a deep breath and wipe away a tear of grievance… as you can only ATTRIBUTE the piece… I mean, WHO removes a furniture tag? Was it the elements of weather, an act of God, (a toddler? LOL…) or just utter human incompetence??? There may never be a logical answer, and quite frankly folks, it’s maddening!.…It’s a SAD, SAD reality in this business…. BUT NOT TODAY FRIENDS!!!!! Today…Not ONLY do we have the name of the maker ETCHED into the iconic plastic bottom of these chairs… we have stickers and labels to boot! We were able to obtain a TON of fascinating research and information on the creation, birth, and biography of these phenomenal chairs! We are STOKED to introduce this set of four INCREDIBLE vintage “Charlie Collection” chairs designed by famed Carlo Bimbi & Nilo Gioacchini, made in Italy for Segis Italia, (Oooohhh La, La!) imported by Loewenstein Oggo, and sold by John A. Marshall Company!!! That’s a lot of reputable information to go with a lot of STELLAR SEATING!!!! The design was introduced in the 80’s and created well into the 2000’s, but ours were part of the group both designed AND made in the 1980’s! The fabulous circa of big hair, cool cars, and obviously the most RADICAL furniture!! They are comprised of awesome chrome tube sled style cantilever bases and feature black square plastic seats with etched square designs & round seat backs both bearing round cut out hole details. They will be wonderful used as dining chairs at your Post Modern or Memphis style table, but they would be equally as fabulous around an office table, breakfast nook, or at the family game table. They would also be a great option for extra seating! And did we mention… they’re STACKABLE??? Talk about convenience!! When company leaves, stack them neatly away in the storage closet. And, if you’re in the market for a fabulous table that is exactly what you need to accommodate these beauties, we have several listed here for sale that would host them perfectly! Check them out!!
Segis was established in Poggibonsi, Italy in 1983 and today they are considered a world leader in manufacturing and designing high-quality furniture for the Contract Market. They have international operations in Vietnam and Italy and their United States operation of assembly, upholstery, and distribution is based in Tennessee. They service requests for large scale projects such as cruise line ships and hotels as well as smaller individual orders for offices or restaurants. They have grown massively over time and have conglomerated with such infamous associates as Grand Hyatt Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Crown Casino, Disney Resorts, Group Accor Hotels, Carnival Cruise Lines, Art & Science Museums, Royal Yacht Club, Union Bank Of Switzerland, Apple Computer, Microsoft, Mercedes Benz, Daimler Chrysler, Nestle, AT & T, Swatch, Wimbledon, the opera house La Scala in Milan, and numerous other cafes, hospitals, museums, theaters, and airports all over the world. They continue to produce, manufacture, and design innovative, high-quality, greatly sought after furnishings to date.
Carlo Bimbi was born in Volterra, Italy in 1944. He graduated from the Art Institute of Volterra where he met Mino Trafeli who was a talented sculptor and influential in Bimbi’s design methods. He started his own independent design studio after collaborations with several Italian design firms located in Florence, Italy where he specialized in designing and producing furnishings such as sofas, chairs, tables, light fixtures, beds now iconic. He obtained a Diploma at the Advanced Institute for Industrial Arts in Florence in 1968, then taught at the Institute of Art, the I.S.I.A. (Institute of Artistic Industries) in Florence, and the Industrial Design Department at the University of Florence. Between 1968-1969 he collaborated with Studio Nizzoli Associati in Milan and in the seventies he began his career in the Italian design world where he began professional relationships with Gianni Ferrara and Nilo Gioacchini of the Internotredici firm. Over the years he has won many prestigious awards, designed, and continues to design for leading Italian brands, and a few years ago he began working as a consultant for the brand Borzalino to create a line of new products for the International Luxury Market.
Nilo Gioacchini was born in Italy, in 1946, he currently operates Studio Opus which operates in a variety of production sectors ranging from aeronautical interior design to products for domestic community environments which activates a synergetic way possible for design. In over 40 years of professional activity, he has worked with the some of the most important Italian and international companies including a collaboration with Carlo Bimbi as a co-designer creating the “Charlie Collection” for Segis, among multiple other works. He has received many prestigious awards and his work has been recognized by countless design publications, books, and magazines. He has also participated in important exhibitions with the most significant one permanent to the Museum of Modern Arts in New York with this “Tuttuno: Mobile Totale.”
In 1966 Hank Loewenstein founded Loewenstein Inc., a manufacturing/supplying company built on a foundation of bringing world class furniture to the North American Contract market. Their philosophy for the modern day is “Loewenstein for your lifestyle.” For four generations the family business has thrived by aligning themselves with the right people combined with compassion and talent. Those who want to inspire, innovate, achieve, and strengthen communities. Constant research enables them to achieve recognition for their stewardship and they have achieved multiple certifications through constant research and supplier discussions regarding developmental processes and material components. They are currently located in Huntingburg, Indiana.
This set of four Italian Segis Italia black plastic & chrome tube sled style cantilever Charlie Collection chairs by Carlo Bimbi & Nilo Gioacchini are not only FULL of iconic reputation and high quality… They’re attractive, they’re durable, they’re versatile, AND they’re stackable! What more could you possibly want? Don’t hesitate… Make them yours!!!
