Brutalist Chair, France ca 1950s (sold)
Brutalist Chair, France ca 1950s (sold)
Brutalist handmade chair made of solid wood from ca. the 1950s. With a robust organic form and an earth-toned palette, this chair is the embodiment of Brutalism. The chair has a startling rawness, but with its warm-toned and slightly asymmetrical body it is a greatly-balanced piece. Sensitive touches enliven the brutalist design, visible in the careful craftsmanship. Through its eccentric geometries and expressive forms, - brutalist furniture design’s best qualities - this chair is the perfect piece for any interior.
In furniture and décor, the Brutalist movement was somber, giving importance to eerie organic and rugged shapes in dark, earthy tones. The defining characteristics of Brutalist furniture design can be observed in this chair: hard edges, jagged shapes, asymmetrical organic designs, and earthly palettes.
The Brutalist style of design - the term derives from the French word brut, meaning “raw” – is characterized by a deliberate plainness and crudity, and emerged in the mid-20th century and gained popularity in the late 1950s and 1960s. It originated post–World War II, when the design of low-cost housing and government buildings was composed of mainly raw, unrefined materials. As a descendant of the modernist movement of the late 19th and the first half of the 20th century, Brutalism favours simple and bare, yet well-thought out, stark design. The architects and builders sought to project a sense of strength through their fortress-like designs, while also celebrating the imperfect appeal of handmade items. While Brutalism started out as an architectural style, it quickly influenced furniture design in Europe and the Americas.
In the 21st century, unlike in architecture, brutalist furniture design has been making a comeback, making 20th century pieces like this chair a rare and valuable piece of the movement.
SOLD
Condition:
In very good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Item has some marks, scratches, discoloration.
Dimensions:
17.72 in W x 17.72 in D x 34.45 H; Seat Height 18.11 in
45 cm W x 45 cm D x 87.5 cm H; Seat Height 46 cm