Poltrona Frau
Italian luxury furniture founded in 1912, built on Pelle Frau leather craft and a century of signed collections, read for the US buyer.
A century of Italian leather craft.
Poltrona Frau was founded in 1912 by Renzo Frau in Turin, who registered the trademark with the Turin Chamber of Commerce that year. The company name joins poltrona, the Italian word for armchair, with the founder's surname. After Renzo Frau's death in 1926, his wife Savina Pisati led the company and brought its furniture into some of the most prominent buildings in Italy. In 1963, production and headquarters moved to Tolentino in the Marche region, where the company remains today. In 2014, US-based Haworth Group acquired a majority stake.
The house built its identity on Pelle Frau leather, a full-grain hide processed through more than twenty stages. Its catalogue spans residential armchairs and sofas, contract and institutional seating, and automotive interiors. Designers across the decades have included Renzo Frau himself, Gio Ponti, Roberto Lazzeroni and Jean-Marie Massaud. For US buyers, collections reach the market through authorised dealers.
A selection of lines.
Vanity Fair
Developed from Renzo Frau's original designs, first produced in 1930, and named Vanity Fair in 1984. A fully hand-built armchair in Pelle Frau leather over hand-tied springs and vegetable horsehair.
Archibald
Designed by Jean-Marie MassaudArchibald is one of the most recognised pieces in the Poltrona Frau catalogue, designed by Paris-based Jean-Marie Massaud. Its profile is defined by vertical folds that animate the leather surface, while cast aluminium feet give the form a slender, elevated stance. The chair won a Wallpaper* Award in the Best Domestic Design category in 2009.
The steel supporting structure carries polyurethane foam padding with polyester wadding at key comfort points. Upholstery choices run across the full Pelle Frau leather library or fabric, with contrasting stitching in the leather version. The collection extends to a dining chair and lounge variants.
What the pieces are made of.
Pelle Frau leather is the signature material of the house: full-grain cattle hide processed through more than twenty stages, with only 10 in every 100 hides passing the brand's quality controls. Interior construction across the classic range uses solid seasoned beech frames, hand-tied steel biconical springs on jute belts, vegetable horsehair padding and goose-down cushions. Metal bases are cast aluminium or powder-coated steel depending on the collection.
On every brand page these details stay factual and sourced. Collection names, designers and materials are checked against the maker before they go live.
Poltrona Frau, answered.
Where is Poltrona Frau made?
Poltrona Frau is based in Tolentino, in the Marche region of central Italy, where production and headquarters have been located since 1963. The company was founded in Turin in 1912.
When was Poltrona Frau founded?
In 1912, by Renzo Frau, who registered the trademark with the Turin Chamber of Commerce that year.
Who founded Poltrona Frau?
Renzo Frau, who was born in Sardinia and settled in Turin. After his death in 1926, his wife Savina Pisati continued to lead the company.
What is Pelle Frau leather?
Pelle Frau is Poltrona Frau's proprietary full-grain leather, processed through more than twenty stages. Only about 10 in every 100 hides pass the brand's quality controls. It develops a patina with use and is available in a wide colour library.
What are Poltrona Frau's signature collections?
Among the most recognised are the Vanity Fair armchair, first produced in 1930 from Renzo Frau's own designs; the Chester, a Renzo Frau reinterpretation of the English club chair from 1912; the Dezza by Gio Ponti (1965); and the Archibald by Jean-Marie Massaud.
Who designs for Poltrona Frau?
Designers have included Renzo Frau himself, Gio Ponti, Roberto Lazzeroni, Jean-Marie Massaud, Ludovica and Roberto Palomba, GamFratesi and Kensaku Oshiro.
What is the Vanity Fair armchair?
Officially model 904, named Vanity Fair in 1984. Developed from Renzo Frau's archive designs and first produced in 1930. It is fully handbuilt over hand-tied steel springs and vegetable horsehair, upholstered in Pelle Frau leather.
What is the Dezza armchair?
The Dezza was designed by Gio Ponti in 1965, the first product associated with Poltrona Frau's move to Tolentino. It is named after Via Dezza in Milan, the street where Ponti lived. It features his characteristic triangular-section legs and remains in production.
Does Poltrona Frau work outside residential furniture?
Yes. The house has a significant contract division covering auditorium seating, airport interiors and institutional projects. Its In Motion division produces leather interiors for luxury automotive clients including Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Range Rover.
Is Poltrona Frau available in the US?
Yes. Collections reach the US through authorised dealers. The Haworth Group, which is US-based, acquired a majority stake in the Poltrona Frau Group in 2014.
What is the design character of Poltrona Frau?
The house sits at the intersection of Italian craft tradition and modern design. Its catalogue combines heritage pieces that have been in production for decades with contemporary signed collections, all centred on Pelle Frau leather as the defining material.
Can I buy from this site?
No. Premium Furniture is an independent editorial directory. We document the house and point you to the maker.