'Mah Jong' 14-Piece Living Room Set by Kenzo Takada for Roche Bobois, Signed
About the Item
- Creator:Hans Hopfer (Designer),Roche Bobois (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.75 in (70.49 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 40 in (101.6 cm)Seat Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 14
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 2019
- Condition:Excellent condition with only very light, barely noticeable minor wear. The set is clean and free of odor. It appears to have been barely used. Ready for immediate use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1330228243722
Hans Hopfer
German designer and artist Hans Hopfer had a profound impact on furniture design that still guides the choices we make about our spaces today. Affectionately dubbed “seating landscapes,” Hopfer’s forward-looking collections of inviting, modular low-profile seating, such as the widely revered Mah Jong sofa for Roche Bobois, allowed for optimal customized arrangements in one’s living room, an innovation that reshaped relaxation at home in a significant and lasting way.
Hopfer designed modern furniture for a manufacturer in Nuremberg during the 1960s. He met Phillippe Roche in 1970 and began his collaboration with the Roche Bobois company. When the popularity of cable television took hold in more major American cities during the 1970s, sofas and other seating became integral to contemporary living-room decor. Roche Bobois’s newly launched Les Contemporains series positioned its own sofas front and center, and it also offered plush lounge chairs designed by Mario Bellini.
Bold works from Roche Bobois during the decade included one of its most enduring and well-known pieces — the Mah Jong sectional sofa created by Hopfer in 1971. Anchored by few central elements, this modular lounge sofa can be combined or stacked, giving the buyer total freedom over its appearance and the ability to maximize comfort with its plump cushions. Inspired by a tile-based game that originated in China, the Mah Jong has been in production since its debut. It is still handmade in a workshop in Italy today.
Composed of low seating elements and large cushions, Hopfer’s Mah Jong sofa has seen some high-profile fabric updates by Missoni, Jean Paul Gaultier and Japanese clothing designer Kenzo Takada, who worked with Roche Bobois to craft fabrics emblazoned with geometrically dynamic patterns to be used as upholstery for the firm’s iconic piece of furniture.
Primarily a sculptor and painter by trade, Hopfer worked and lived between Buenos Aires, Nuremberg and Paris. In addition to the work he did for Roche Bobois — which included his Informel armchairs and sofas — he also created modular furniture for the Wiener Werkstatte, a collective of artists and designers born from the Vienna Secession art movement in Austria during the early 20th century.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Hans Hopfer lounge chairs, armchairs and sofas.
Roche Bobois
In 1974, Roche Bobois opened its first showroom in the United States on Madison Avenue in New York City. The celebrated luxury French furniture brand is now in 50 countries with more than 200 stores.
The Roche Bobois story has origins in 1950, when entrepreneur Jacques Roche converted an old Paris theater into two contemporary furniture boutiques so that his sons could help usher stunning Bauhaus-inspired work out of the shops and into French homes nearby.
At another showroom called Au Beau Bois, also in the French capital city, the Chouchan family was simultaneously selling home furnishings. The families met later, when Philippe and François Roche convened with Patrick and Jean-Claude Chouchan at a furniture exhibition in Copenhagen in 1960 and afterward produced a catalog announcing their partnership.
Minimal and modernist Scandinavian design had gained prominence in the furniture industry by 1960, rendering designers such as Kaare Klint and Poul Henningsen marquee names — and Roche Bobois's principals had taken notice. Following a national advertising campaign in Elle magazine a year later, the Scandinavian furniture that the newly minted Roche Bobois was importing to Paris became a huge success. Early promotional material from the firm likely included the sleek modular wall units crafted in rosewood by Danish furniture maker Poul Cadovius. It didn’t take long for Roche Bobois to shift toward producing its own contemporary furniture line.
When the popularity of cable television took hold in more major American cities during the 1970s, sofas and other seating became integral to contemporary living-room decor. Roche Bobois’s newly launched Les Contemporains series positioned its own sofas front and center, and it also offered plush lounge chairs designed by Mario Bellini.
Bold works from the company during the decade included Marc Berthier’s Pop Art–colored tubular metal desks and chairs — the latter covered with braided fabric — as well as one of Roche Bobois’s most enduring and well-known pieces, the Mah Jong sectional sofa created by sculptor, painter and designer Hans Hopfer. Anchored by few central elements, this modular lounge sofa can be combined or stacked, giving the buyer total freedom over its appearance and the ability to maximize comfort.
Since its inception, Roche Bobois has worked with many internationally renowned architects and designers on its collections, among them Paola Navone and Vladimir Kagan. Even fashion designers such as Missoni and Emanuel Ungaro have made contributions to the company’s lineup.
In 2010, Roche Bobois marked its 50-year anniversary by debuting a partnership with French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. A decade later, Roche Bobois teamed up with Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, who designed a collection of organically shaped sofas as well as vibrant, colorful accent pillows and rugs.
Roche Bobois’s offerings over the years have included everything from mid-century modern armchairs to Art Deco case pieces to sculptural outdoor cocktail tables framed in metal wire — shop these classics now on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Long Beach, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Roche Bobois Early Production Mah Jong Elements, Pair, Signed, 1970sBy Roche Bobois, Hans HopferLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis beautiful pair of Roche Bobois Mah Jong elements by Hans Hopfer are from the earlier years of the design in the 1970s, before they created the Missoni and Jean Paul Gaultier collaborations where they gained a new look. This pair of Mah Jong elements are without a seat back, so they are ideal as a pair of large floor cushions or stacked on top of another as a large ottoman. At home, we have another pair of these that we use for our dogs as a large dog bed which we humans also use. When we want more floor space we can stack them and push them against the wall. When we have guests and need more seating in the living room we pull them over and stack next to a coffee table. But most of the time it is side by side for the dogs to use and when us humans need a quick NAP - we use it as a daybed underneath a skylight or can lay with the dogs for a quick cuddle. This pair of Mah Jong sectional sofa elements was reupholstered with new fabric over the original interior foam, original bottom lining and labels. The visible fabric is brand new and is in mint condition. Everything else was cleaned, but is original. So it’s the best of both worlds - for those who want a clean, new fabric but also an early production year example of a Classic design. Photos of another pair that we have, in its original fabric are in the photos of this listing. This pair of early production Roche Bobois Mah Jong elements would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern or Danish modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a contemporary or Postmodern room. Also consider mixing it up in a traditional, transitional, classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an Apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. Consider using as side chairs, bedside seating...Category
Vintage 1970s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsFabric, Foam
- Early 'Camaleonda' Sectional by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, c 1971, SignedBy Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis monumentally sized modular 'Camaleonda' sectional living room set (fourteen pieces in total) by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, each section signed with labels as can be seen in the photos. Included in the set are eight (8) full-sized seat sections, each is quite large and spacious which adds to the incredible comfort. And six (6) full-sized seat backs leaving two of the seat sections to be used as ottomans or free-floating seat elements to open the sectional to either side. This set has been previously professionally reupholstered with only light use and in very good condition. Designed by Mario Bellini in 1970 for C&B Italia, later produced after 1973 by B&B Italia after Piero Busnelli bought out Cassina and changed the name to B&B. This set consists of six sections labelled with C&B labels and two sections with B&B labels, meaning that most of this set was produced between 1970 and 1973 - the original production years of the Camaleonda, and making this set ideal for collectors and investors of art and design. *We have a large quantity of other Camaleonda elements (C&B Italia and B&B Italia examples, both in mohair fabric and in leather including some sets ready for reupholstery to a new fabric or leather of your choice) if you are looking for a larger set, contact us to discuss. MEASUREMENTS: *This is a modular set with fourteen (14) total pieces and can be configured in many ways as each seating section can be placed wherever you desire and the seat backs can be fixed to the seating elements where you want. You can configure as one large sectional sofa, three-seat couch with loveseats...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- 'Camaleonda' in Original Leather by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1976, SignedBy B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Los Angeles, CAIf you are someone who seeks the absolute best of the best - this is for you. This is an all original modular Camaleonda sectional by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia made within the fir...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- De Sede DS-600 'Non-Stop Sectional Sofa' in Cognac Leather, 22 Elements, SignedBy Ueli Berger, De Sede, Stendig Co.Located in Los Angeles, CAThis classic twenty-two (22) element cognac leather DS-600 'Non-Stop Sectional Sofa' by Swiss maker De Sede and distributed by Stendig, also referred to as the 'Snake' sectional sofa...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fabric
- T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Model 1676 by Widdicomb Attributed SofaBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Los Angeles, CAThis stylish Mid-Century Modern three-seat sofa, attributed to model 1676 by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb featuring a blonde wood frame and velvet upholstery. This sofa was ...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Rare 'Unicorn' Leather and Aluminum Curved Sofa by Vladimir Kagan, c. 1963By Vladimir KaganLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis extremely rare and highly sought-after collectors piece by Vladimir Kagan is his Model #U-522 'Unicorn' curved sofa by Vladimir Kagan Designs Inc. designed and produced circa 1963, shortly after Kagan separated from Hugo Dreyfuss of Kagan-Dreyfuss. This investment grade collectible design features soft and supple light grey tufted leather over two aluminum 'Unicorn' bases, large enough to seat four people. There is not much comparison for this awe inspiring statement piece, ideal for an interior designer looking for a show-stopper that is fitting for the most demanding and critical client. Incredible design of utmost rarity and fabulous ready-to-use condition with that light patina you want to see. From an art/ design collector's perspective - this sofa is simply the bees knees...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsAluminum
- Mah Jong 21 Piece Sofa for Roche Bobois by Hans Hopfer, 1970s ItalyBy Roche Bobois, Hans HopferLocated in Los Angeles, CAStunning Mah Jong sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois. An iconic sofa design made in Italy in a beautiful and vibrant corduroy. A particularly large set which includes 12 f...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofa in Custom Upholstery, Set of 5By Hans Hopfer, Roche BoboisLocated in London, GBOriginally designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1971, the Mah Jong sofa has become a design classic. Since its original conception, Roche Bobois has collaborated with a varie...Category
2010s French Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofa in Custom Upholstery, Set of 20By Hans Hopfer, Roche BoboisLocated in London, GBOriginally designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1971, the Mah Jong sofa has become a design classic. Since its original conception, Roche Bobois has collaborated with a varie...Category
Vintage 1970s French Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofa in Custom Upholstery, Set of 12By Hans Hopfer, Roche BoboisLocated in London, GBOriginally designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1971, the Mah Jong sofa has become a design classic. Comprising twelve pieces, all of the pieces will be covered in custom uph...Category
Vintage 1970s French Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Roche Bobois Mah Jong sofa Kenzo and Missoni fabricsBy Hans Hopfer, Roche BoboisLocated in Milano, MIthis version of the mah Jong sofa from Roche Bobois is outfitted with the luxurious Kenzo and Missoni fabrics that make it the most luxurious version of this sofa model Excellent con...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsCotton, Velvet
- Mah jong sofa from Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois design by Kenzo TakataBy Roche Bobois, Hans HopferLocated in Alsdorf, NWPresenting the remarkable "Mah Jong" sectional sofa, a creation by Hans Hopfer in collaboration with Kenzo Takada for Roche Bobois. This ensemble comprises an impressive total of twe...Category
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Silk, Velvet