Pan Am armchair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima, 1970s

Pan Am armchair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima, 1970s. Conceived by Gastone Rinaldi, they were originally intended for the waiting rooms of the airline "Pan American Airlines," known as "Pan Am." The backrest even features the company's logo. Very characteristic of modernist Italian design, voluptuous, high-end, and original, this series of chairs is stunning. The armchairs are made of chromed metal wire. Italian designer Gastone Rinaldi was born in 1920 in Padua, Italy. His father, Mario Rinaldi, was the founder of the metal furniture factory RIMA. Founded in 1916, Rinaldi and his brother Giorgio took over the company in 1948. In the post-war period, under Rinaldi's leadership, RIMA quickly became a reference brand for Italian homes. Rinaldi's designs—many of which are produced in limited quantities—are now sought after by high-end collectors. The two examples presented here are in used condition (with some pitting and oxidation on the legs).