Sculptural trio of armchairs from Vivai del Sud (1970) – original honey-toned varnish

This exceptional set of three armchairs belongs to the prestigious Italian brand Vivai del Sud, manufactured in Italy in the 1970s. It embodies the tropicalist Italian style or high-end tropical glamour, representing one of the most refined expressions of Italian furniture made from bamboo and natural cane. Each piece reflects the extraordinary craftsmanship that characterised the brand, where traditional technique and sculptural design merge in an uncommon balance. The structure has been crafted with Pencil bamboo, carefully selected and bent by heat to achieve absolute continuity between the backrest, sides, and armrests. The fine rods, arranged with extraordinary precision, create a delicate visual rhythm that highlights the depth and chromatic variations of the original varnish, which has now transformed over time into a warm honey hue of great richness. Its design is distinguished by a composition of continuous curves that envelop the seat with an uncommon elegance. The backrest, sides, and armrests form a unique fluid silhouette, crowned by the characteristic spiral finishes made from wrapped bamboo, one of the most recognisable features of Vivai del Sud's aesthetic language. The wavy front adds movement to the whole, while the perfectly aligned succession of fine Pencil bamboo rods creates a delicate play of light and shadow that enhances the depth of the original honey-hued varnish. The slight opening of the legs and the studied proportion of each element give these pieces an astonishing sense of balance, rendering their sculptural presence without losing visual lightness. The set retains its original factory finish entirely, having not been sanded, repainted, or restored. The patina developed naturally over more than five decades brings an irreplaceable personality that is impossible to reproduce.