Vitra Miniatures Gala
The Miniatures Collection present the most important classics of modern furniture history in miniature in a scale of 1: 6. Their construction, materials and colors correspond to the historical Vitra Design Museum collection original, right down to the last detail. Because they are so true to the originals, the miniatures are not only valuable collector's items, but also ideal illustrative material for universities, colleges of designs and architects. The Miniatures Collection is unique worldwide. For each miniature there is a licence agreement with the designer or his heirs. Many designers collaborate with Vitra to develop the miniatures of their own designs and offer their assistance by supplying information on the objects. In return, Vitra honor the designer's copyright by paying royalties.
MEASUREMENTS:
- Height: 15.8 cm / 6.25 inch
- Width: 14.6 cm / 5.75 inch
- Depth: 18.1 cm / 7.1 inch
MATERIALS:
- Wickerwork furniture of rattan and bamboo
HELPFUL NOTES:
- Each miniature is packaged in a wooden box, accompanied by an informational booklet
- Each of the delicate objects are made by hand; on average, each miniature requires five hours of careful manual work. Ongoing quality control ensures that every miniature corresponds to its larger original in terms of finishing, details and materials
Franco Albini
Italy, 1905 - 1977
Franco Albini studied architecture at the Milan Polytechnic school, where he obtained his diploma in 1929. Still being a student, Albini assisted Gio Ponti in his studio. Ponti's influence becomes obvious in Franco Albini's early designs in the Art déco style.
In 1930 Franco Albini opened his own studio for interiour design and decoration. After the war, Franco Albini worked as an architect, too. In 1930 Franco Albini participated in the Monza Triennale where he showed his furniture designs. At the 1936 Milan Triennale, Franco Albini presented progressive designs for a rational layout for small rooms, called "stanza per un uomo" (one-man room).
Albini designed a tiny room, in which each element fulfilled one or more functions: a tabletop is integrated in a shelving system, the ladder leading up to the loft bed also functions as a clothes stand, and the bed itself is a partition for the room. In 1941 Franco Albini designed a transparent radio (however, it was never produced).
Franco Albini's most popular designs were done in the 1950s. The most famous ones were his designs for shelves and chairs, produced by Cassina and especially by Poggi. The shelves are easy to disassemble and can be expanded without restriction. The shelves have no back board as they are either clamped between the floor and the ceiling or suspended on the ceiling on metal chains. This construction then functions as a transparent room partition. In 1951 Franco Albini created his rattan chair "Margherita".
From 1952 the designer and architect Franca Helg was Franco Albini's business partner; she played a crucial role in numerous Albini designs. As an architect, Franco Albini built housing estates in Milan and in 1957, he designed the building for the La Rinascente department store in Rome. Together with Franca Helg and Bob Noorda, Franco Albini also designed underground stations in Milan. From 1963 to 1977 Franco Albini taught at the Polytechnic school in Milan. He died in 1977.
Vitra is a Swiss company dedicated to improving the quality of homes, offices, and interior public spaces through the compelling power of design. Their chairs, tables, and accessories, including clocks, toolboxes, and cushions, are developed with an intensive, modern design process. Fusing engineering excellence with the creative genius of leading-edge international designers, Vitra enhances the aesthetic and emotional aspects of every space they grace.
All Vitra products are functional, inspiring, and durable. Founded in 1950, the family-owned Vitra line is designed and created by internationally recognized contemporary designers such as Verner Panton, Isamu Noguchi, Eero Saarinen, and Jasper Morrison. “We make products that avoid the superfluous and last for a very long time,” says Vitra chairman Rolf Fehlbaum.
This item qualifies for free door-to-door delivery within the Continental USA and Canada, with a few exceptions:
- Orders $180 or less are charged a $35 small order fee at checkout.
- Please contact us for a quote if you are located outside of the Continental USA.
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