De Sede DS-46 Modular Sofa in Neck Leather

The DS-46 is the piece that established De Sede's reputation for using leather in ways no other manufacturer dared. Introduced in 1976, it was the first model to feature the company's now-legendary neck leather — buffalo hide up to six millimetres thick, sourced from the strongest part of the animal. The result is a sofa with a physical presence unlike anything else in furniture design.

The leather on this DS-46 has the weight and texture of something genuinely substantial. It creases rather than wrinkles, develops character rather than showing wear, and carries a warmth that only thick, natural hide can produce. Each panel is hand-stitched — you can feel the slight irregularity of handwork along every seam. The surface has developed a beautiful natural patina over nearly five decades, with tonal variations that make each section unique.

This example is in good condition, with honest signs of age that enhance rather than diminish its appeal. The wooden frame beneath remains solid and stable, the modular sections connect securely, and the leather retains its structural integrity throughout. The sofa functions as intended — individual sections can be rearranged to suit different spaces and configurations.

De Sede, based in Klingnau, Switzerland since 1965, built the DS-46 to demonstrate what Swiss leather craftsmanship could achieve at its most ambitious. While competitors were moving toward thinner hides and industrial upholstery methods, De Sede doubled down on material quality and handwork. The DS-46 became a landmark in that philosophy — proof that furniture could be both robust and refined.

In a living room, this sofa becomes the gravitational centre. It invites you to sit deeper, stay longer, and appreciate the simple luxury of a material that only improves with time.