Casavells

VITTORIO BONACINA

Rattan Bench
Manufactura by Bonacina
Italy, 1960
Rattan, bamboo

Measurements
125cm x 60cm x 82h cm
49,21in x 23,62in x 32,28h in

Biography
Giovanni Bonacina started his business in 1889 in Lurago d’Erba, located in a hilly, fertile part of the area north of Mi- lan known as Brianza, combining two traditional crafts practiced in the area, basketry and furniture making, using the local materials reed and cane, with rattan from Southeast Asia. His hard work and experience produced excellent results, and his efforts were rewarded with awards in international expositions and numerous important commissions.

His son Vittorio carried on and built upon what his father had passed down, taking the company yet another step forward. With an eye on the revolution in design and art that was taking place in the 1950’s, and a new era in the company’s future de- sign, made possible by the winning combination of production experience the visionary collaboration with talented designers, and a shared willingness to push the materials and shapes into new expressive forms. Bonacina 1889 distinguished itself again and again.
In 1889 Giovanni Bonacina founded his small business in the wake of the ancient art of Lombard basket makers. He was full of confidence due to the experience he had gained working with rattan furniture manufacturers from Germany, Austria and Holland.

As the years go by the firm has always maintained its craftsman’s touch in order to offer a highly qualified product. At the beginning of the century Givanni Bonacina started to export his products. The high quality of design and the fine precision work resulted in the winning of the gold medal at the exhibitions of London and Paris in 1909 and in Rome in 1910. Of that period are also the prestigious projects
such as Villa d’Este on Lake Como.