Legend has it that when Italian furniture designer Vico Magistretti brought his prototype for Maralunga to its founder, Cesare Cassina, the founder was so disgusted by it that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumbled over itself. (“Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that,” Magistretti allegedly responded.) The new design stuck: Cassina debuted Magistretti’s design in 1973. The Maralunga is characterized by what looks like a slumped backrest but is really an adjustable-height headrest, moved by way of a bicycle chain that runs underneath its plush foam cushions.

This model is in it's original grey leather upholstery, lending further to its icon status.