Chairs – Model “Reller”
Manufactured by Saporiti
Italy, 1950s
Painted metal and fabric

Measurements
53,5 x 57 x 80,5h cm
21,1 x 22,4 x 31,7h in

Provenance
Private collection, Italy

Literature
Domus, no. 324, November 1956, p. 38

About
Designed in the 1950s by Augusto Bozzi for Saporiti, the “Reller” chairs are emblematic of his refined and forward-thinking approach to postwar Italian design. Featuring a tubular painted metal frame and an upholstered seat shell, the chairs combine lightness of form with structural clarity.
Bozzi’s use of negative space and open construction lends the design an airy, modernist sensibility. The gently contoured backrest and angled legs reflect both ergonomic concerns and a minimalist aesthetic, typical of Bozzi’s best work.
Originally published in Domus in 1956, the Reller model stands as a testament to the innovative spirit of Italian design during a period of rapid transformation, where industrial materials and artisanal detail met in bold new ways.

Biography
Augusto Bozzi (1924–1982) was an Italian designer renowned for a small but striking body of work that helped define the aesthetics of postwar Italian modernism. Best known for his collaborations with Saporiti in the 1950s, Bozzi designed a number of now-iconic seating pieces that balanced structural experimentation with refined visual language.
Among his most recognized creations is the “Aster” chair, celebrated for its sleek silhouette, lacquered metal frame, and minimalist lines. Bozzi frequently worked with vinyl, brass, and tubular steel, using these materials to explore new forms that were both functional and expressive. His designs often featured exposed structures and delicate geometries, emphasizing balance and negative space.