The history of furniture design cannot overlook the legacy of an institution as significant as the Consorzio La Permanente Mobili, founded in 1893 through the initiative of a group of highly skilled artisans from Cantù.

Their goal was to join forces to showcase their work to the public—primarily in Milan at the time—within a single, grand exhibition space. This allowed for a comprehensive presentation of Cantù’s furniture production, facilitating sales while also serving a broader purpose.

Beyond commerce, the consortium has always been a vital hub for its members, fostering collaboration, dialogue, and the exchange of expertise. Over the years, this continuous sharing of knowledge and craftsmanship has played a key role in establishing Cantù furniture as a symbol of excellence worldwide.
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Quinta Selettiva, 1963. The jury members Paul Reilly, Finn Juhl, Franco Albini, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni - Photo by Gianni Paini
For over a century, La Permanente Mobili di Cantù has given voice to visionary designers, transforming their groundbreaking ideas into timeless icons of design. Today, with the re-edition of our collection, “Selettiva for All”, we open a new dialogue between the past and the present — celebrating the artistry and creativity that have always shaped our legacy.

As Marcel Proust once said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Inspired by this idea, the collection invites you on a journey — not to uncharted lands, but to a rediscovery of what already exists, seen through a fresh lens. Each piece is a tribute to the designers who shaped our heritage, now reinterpreted with modern sensibility. The result is a delicate balance of past and present, where every product reveals surprising forms and details that resonate today.

Selettiva for All is not about mere reproduction, but about evolution. It is a collection where memory and innovation meet, where design’s rich legacy lives on, constantly transforming and adapting. Every detail tells a story — of craftsmanship, experience, and an enduring passion for Italian artisanal excellence.
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For over a century, La Permanente Mobili di Cantù has been the meeting point between visionary design and the excellence of Italian craftsmanship. Today, strengthened by its history and the network of expertise that the consortium represents, it looks toward the future with the goal of reinforcing its presence in the furniture market, both in Italy and internationally.

Our mission is clear: to bring the value of Cantù furniture to the world, preserving the tradition of artisanal quality while embracing new forms of design and collaboration.

La Permanente Mobili di Cantù is not just a name in the history of furniture—it is a laboratory of ideas, an ecosystem of excellence that looks ahead. With a vision set on the future, we will continue to transform designers’ creativity into timeless creations, carrying the quality and savoir-faire of Cantù across the world.
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April 2026
La Permanente Mobili Cantù @ Raritas – Salone del Mobile 26
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La Permanente Mobili Cantù takes part in the first edition of Raritas, within Salone del Mobile.Milano, taking place from April 21 to 26, 2026.

Raritas is the Salone’s new project, bringing together a selection of objects across collectible design, antiques and high craftsmanship, establishing a direct relationship with the professional design market.

Within this context, La Permanente presents Selettiva for All, a collection that brings back into production a selection of pieces developed from the Selettiva del Mobile competitions, updated through contemporary processes and finishes.

April 2025
The New Catalog of La Permanente Mobili di Cantù
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La Permanente Mobili di Cantù presents its new catalog, dedicated to the “Selettiva for All” collection—a project that renews the connection between tradition and contemporary design.

For the first time, the historic Selettiva pieces have been revisited, striking a balance between fidelity to their original design and a thoughtful adaptation to today’s living needs.

The catalog is also available online in the dedicated section of our website.

May 2018
La Permanente Mobili Cantù celebrates 125 years
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On May 11, 1893, the Esposizione Permanente dei Mobili Canturini (Permanent Exhibition of Cantù Furniture) was established—a pioneering initiative that, over the years, would lead the local wood manufacturing industry to a decisive entrepreneurial leap, overcoming the weaknesses faced by many second-generation family businesses.

Its formation not only brought economic benefits to its members but also fostered a new awareness within the sector. Thanks to initiatives like this, by the early 20th century, Cantù’s manufacturing was considered at the forefront of the national production.

Already at the beginning of the 1900s, La Permanente Mobili was recognized as a cooperative model for all small furniture producers.

October 2017
Furniture design and craftsmanship: from La Rinascente to Selettiva
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Through a previously unpublished collection of furniture, documents, photographs, and period magazines, the exhibition reconstructs the collaborative relationship between Gio Ponti, Franco Albini, Tomaso Buzzi, Michele Marelli, Emilio Lancia, Paolo Buffa, and Luigi Daneri with some of the most renowned furniture companies in Cantù, from the 1920s to the post-war period.

The exhibition also explores Gio Ponti’s role between 1954 and 1959 in the creation and establishment of the Selettiva del Mobile.

Curated by: Tiziano Casartelli.

Simultaneously with the exhibition, the book “Gio Ponti e Cantù. 1923-1973. Design and Craftsmanship in Furniture from La Rinascente to Selettiva“, written by Tiziano Casartelli, has been published. The book will be presented on October 6, 2017, at 9:00 PM at the exhibition venue.