Pierre Paulin

PIERRE PAULIN (Paris, 1927 – Montpellier, 2009), for Artifort, Netherlands
Pair of “Concorde” armchairs, model 780, designed in 1966.
Metal and foam frame, with white-lacquered cast aluminum bases.
Reupholstered. In very good overall condition.
Measurements: 75 x 58 x 75 cm.

Designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1966, the “Concorde” armchairs embody many of the key elements of 1960s European design: enveloping comfort, visual lightness, and a silhouette with a strong personality. The low seat, the tall, slightly reclined backrest, and the integrated armrests create a continuous, inviting, and ergonomic form—a hallmark of Paulin’s design language.

The white-lacquered cast aluminum base provides a clean hallmark of simplicity compared to the upholstered volume, visually elevating the piece and accentuating its modern profile. In contrast to the traditional armchair, Paulin proposes here an almost suspended structure, where comfort is achieved through fluid and refined geometry.

The “Concorde” model belongs to the most recognizable phase of his collaboration with Artifort, a Dutch firm committed to innovative, flexible, and deeply contemporary furniture. This pairing retains the understated elegance of a design conceived to unite comfort, modernity, and a sculptural presence.

Pierre Paulin was one of the great French designers of the 20th century. He collaborated with Artifort beginning in the late 1950s, creating iconic pieces such as the “Mushroom,” “Ribbon,” “Tongue,” and “Concorde” models. His work revolutionized modern furniture through organic forms, elastic upholstery, and an almost architectural conception of the seat. His designs are part of collections at institutions such as the Centre Pompidou, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the MoMA in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.