Attributed to René Malaval

Attributed to RENÉ MALAVAL (France, 20th century).
Garden armchair, ca. 1950.
Tubular iron and perforated sheet metal, lacquered white.
It shows patina and areas where the finish is missing, with surface rust.
Measurements: 80 x 50 x 50 cm; seat height: 45 cm.

This armchair is part of the postwar renewal of French furniture, characterized by the incorporation of industrial materials and a functional approach to design. Its tubular iron frame and perforated sheet metal surfaces reflect an aesthetic of great structural simplicity, particularly associated with garden and patio furniture. The design combines a slightly curved seat and backrest, made of perforated sheet metal, with armrests featuring continuous lines that lend a sense of visual lightness. The regular pattern of the punctures creates a geometric rhythm that lightens the metal surfaces, while the white finish accentuates its industrial character.

René Malaval was a French designer active during the 1940s and 1950s, known for his metal furniture designs intended primarily for outdoor spaces. His work was associated with the firm Bloc Métal, for which he developed various models of chairs, armchairs, and garden sets. Among his best-known designs is the “Radar” series, characterized by the use of tubular structures and perforated sheet metal, in keeping with the functionalist trends of mid-20th-century French design.