AUTHENTIC ‘MAH JONG’ SOFA AND PILLOWS BY HANS HOPFER FOR ROCHE BOBOIS (13 PIECES)

A 13-piece Mah Jong modular sofa set, designed in 1971 by Hans Hopfer for ROCHE BOBOIS. Upholstered in a customized mix of exclusive fabrics from the house of Missoni.

Inspired by the tile-based game developed in 19^th-century China, the Mah Jong sectional is comprised of stackable floor cushions—along with five throw pillows—that can be arranged in any number of configurations. The flexibility provided by this adaptable system promotes innovation and reflects the enthusiasm and vitality of its design era. Whatever the environment, the Mah Jong can adapt to become a perfect setting for entertaining or relaxing. ROCHE BOBOIS’ most recognized and iconic design.

All Mah Jong elements are entirely handmade, sewn in a dedicated Italian workshop using the processes and techniques of haute couture. Each cushion is hand-stitched in the manner of a luxury mattress.

HANS HOPFER (1931–2009) was a German sculptor, painter, and designer. He spent his time moving between Buenos Aires, Nuremberg, and Paris, and is known for pioneering the concept of “seating landscapes.” This design philosophy, which emerged in the 1970s, emphasized low-profile, modular, highly adaptable seating arrangements, encouraging fluid and informal approaches to living spaces. Hopfer was regarded as one of the world’s leading designers in his day.

His career began in 1964 with the development of a series of concepts that were both modern and efficient. First and foremost, the functionality of furniture must be useful; secondly, its form must be comfortable; and lastly, lines must be designed for longevity.

Hopfer’s first self-branded debut was the Bausystem in 1965. It consisted of a sofabed that produced a flat seating area when the bed was stowed. Its streamlined design contained no seams or gaps. Its release was followed in 1967 with the Mobiliante, the first-ever collection that offered a sofa, loveseat, and ottoman. Customers were given the option to purchase one individual piece or all three as a set. The final design contained minimal details while providing maximum comfort for the modern consumer.

The Bausystem and the Mobiliante were stepping stones for Hopfer. In 1970 he met Phillippe Roche and began collaboration with the ROCHE BOBOISE company. When the popularity of cable television took hold in America’s major cities during the 1970s, sofas and other seating became integral to contemporary living-room décor, and ROCHE BOBOISE’s newly launched Les Contemporains series positioned its own sofas front and center. It was during this time that Hopfer decided to pivot. He wanted to adjust his product line to focus on a family-friendly product that would still be considered a work of art. In 1971 he created just that, and the Mah Jong sectional was born. An award-winning design, it remained highly sought after for decades. Its impact on the furniture industry was profound, reshaping in-home relaxation in a significant and lasting way.

In addition to the work he did for ROCHE BOBOIS—which included his Informel armchairs and sofas—Hopfer created modular furniture for the Wiener Werkstätte, a collective of artists and designers born from the Vienna Secession art movement in Austria during the early 20^th century. His work received numerous international awards throughout his lifetime.

ROCHE BOBOISE was founded in 1960 after brothers Philippe and François Roche met brothers Patrick and Jean-Claude Chouchan at the Copenhagen Furniture Fair and decided to collaborate. Their partnership initially focused on importing and distributing Scandinavian furniture; soon it led to the creation of a unique French luxury brand with a strong international presence. In 1961 ROCHE BOBOIS launched its first catalog and a national advertising campaign in Elle magazine, significantly boosting brand recognition and sales.

Known for high-end, contemporary designs, ROCHE BOBOIS developed a revolutionary retail model that eschewed the ownership of manufacturing resources and focused on distribution. They forged strong relationships with renowned designers and architects that led to unique, high-quality pieces. The company has collaborated with the likes of Pierre Paulin (1927–2009), Kenzo Takada (1939–2020), and Jean Paul Gaultier (b. 1952). Today, ROCHE BOBOIS has over 270 stores worldwide.

DETAILS

Designer – HANS HOPFER

Design Period/Year – 1971

Maker – ROOCHE BOBOIS

Production Period/Year – 2000s

Origin – FRANCE

Styles/Movements – ASIAN MODERN; BOHO CHIC; MID-CENTURY MODERN

Materials – FABRIC

Colors – RASPBERRY

Condition – Excellent vintage condition. May show minor signs of previous ownership and use.

Dimensions – 113" W × 77" D × 27" H

Seat Dimensions – 39" W × 22" D × 14" H

Arm Height – 27"

Number of Seats – 4