Marsala Armchair By Michel Ducaroy For Ligne Roset, Circa 1971

Elegant Marsala armchair designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset circa 1971, an iconic model of 1970s French design.

With its generous lines, enveloping backrest, button-tufted cushions, and sculptural frame, the Marsala perfectly exemplifies the evolution of French furniture during this era, when designers were embracing new materials and new approaches to comfort.

This model is among Michel Ducaroy’s earliest creations to utilize the modern materials of his time, notably thermoformed plastics. The Marsala stands out for its aesthetic, which is at once understated, sculptural, and exceptionally comfortable.

We wanted to restore this piece to its original presence and comfort.

The armchair was completely restored in our workshops

and now features new upholstery, chosen for its elegance and contemporary flair, while respecting the model’s generous proportions and ’70s character.

The tufting, padding, and all upholstery have also been restored with the utmost care.

We have also carried out an original and reversible modification: the armchair has been mounted on a circular swivel base made of aluminum, specially adapted in our workshops.

This base, which is fully removable, allows the armchair to be removed at will and offers a particularly smooth rotation when in use. It also gives the Marsala a more airy and contemporary look, while providing an elegant solution for protecting the new upholstery.

Michel Ducaroy (1925–2009) is one of the great names in French design from the second half of the 20th century.

Born in Lyon on November 4, 1925, into a family of industrialists and contemporary furniture designers, he studied sculpture at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Lyon. He then joined the family business before continuing his career at Roset.

His work reflected the extraordinary evolution of furniture design in the 1960s and 1970s. He explored the possibilities offered by foam, wadding, and thermoformed plastics, and designed chairs that prioritized both ergonomics and freedom of form.

While at Roset, he designed, among others, Adria, Kashima, Koufra, Safi, and Kali, before creating in 1973 the now-legendary Togo, which has become one of the international icons of French design.

The collaboration between Ducaroy and Roset proved pivotal in the evolution of this family-owned business, which later became Ligne Roset, now one of France’s leading names in contemporary furniture.

This Marsala armchair by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, dating from the early 1970s, thus offers an intriguing dialogue between historical design and contemporary restoration.

Its iconic silhouette, new fabric, restored upholstery, and swivel aluminum base—crafted in our workshops—make it a particularly original piece today, equally at home in a collector’s interior as in a contemporary setting.

A beautiful example of 1970s French design, fully restored and ready to take its place in any home.

Designer: Michel Ducaroy
Manufacturer: Ligne Roset
Model: Marsala
Date: circa 1971
Country: France
Period: 20th century, 1970s
Restoration: fully restored in our workshops
Upholstery: new fabric
Base: aluminum, swiveling and removable, crafted in our workshops