Tulu Chairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1968, Set of 11

A clear line, a light silhouette and a sense of restraint define the Tulu chair by Kazuhide Takahama. Designed in 1968 for Dino Gavina’s Simon company, the model reflects the meeting of Japanese discipline and Italian experimentation that shaped much of Takahama’s work after his move to Italy in the late 1950s.

Design
This set of eleven chairs shows why Tulu has remained one of Takahama’s most enduring seating designs. Rather than relying on a heavier tubular frame, the chair uses a slender metal rod structure, electro-welded and chromed, which allows the profile to stay open and finely drawn. The result is a sled-base chair that appears almost graphic in space, with the soft curve of the back balancing the rigour of the frame. Cassina describes the model as an early example of constructive experimentation, developed through a production method that enabled tighter curves and a more continuous form. The padded seat and back, here finished in a light cream upholstery, add warmth to the industrial clarity of the metal. Seen as a group, the eleven chairs have real architectural presence around a dining table, in a studio setting or in a restrained hospitality interior.

Few post-war Italian chairs manage to feel this light and this resolved at the same time. Tulu carries the calm, measured character often associated with Takahama, paired with the progressive spirit of Simon Gavina’s late 1960s production.

Condition
The set remains structurally sound, with the chrome frames in good condition and retaining a clean line. Age-related wear is most visible in the upholstery, where the original white leather shows clear discolouration, resulting in a warmer and slightly uneven tone across the seats and backs. Light creasing and minor surface marks are present, consistent with use over time.