Assaya means to provide comfortable support, to create a pleasant sensation.‎ It is also the act of analysing, evaluating.‎ This is in Marathi, the native tongue of Satyendra Pakhalé, who designed the Assaya armchair for the design contest launched by Poltrona Frau to celebrate its centenary in 2012.‎ Assaya finally sees the light after two years of development.‎ Assaya is a cross between the contemporary and the traditional; between the needs of an evolving society and the excellence of Poltrona Frau’s craftsmanship in processing leather and hard leather.‎ The backrest, viewed side on, recalls the sinuosity of a corset.‎ Its design embraces and encapsulates an elegant combination of leather and hide, of rigid and soft elements.‎ The external hide shell is modelled by a skilful series of cuts and stitches that give the material great ductility.‎ The pouf and side table are an integral part of the project and are suitable for creating formal or informal settings in relaxing or working contexts.‎ The structure of the backrest and armrests, comprising a single shell, is in rigid polyurethane padded with polyurethane foam and wadding.‎ The seat is in seasoned beech wood with elastic belts and padding as for the backrest.‎ The armchair swivels 360° and automatically returns to its starting position.‎  The upholstery is in Cuoio Saddle Extra leather for the external shell and Pelle Frau® leather for the internal surface and seat.‎