Marc Held

MARC HELD (France, 1932), for Knoll.
“Culbuto” swivel and rocking chair, 1965–1967.
Fiberglass, fabric, and upholstered cushion.
Condition: shows significant damage, wear, missing parts, and signs of use.
Measurements: 110 x 75 x 70 cm.

The “Culbuto” armchair is one of Marc Held’s most unique designs, conceived between 1965 and 1967 as a swiveling and rocking fiberglass seat with counterweights and safety stops. Its name refers precisely to the idea of “culbuter”—rocking or tipping over without falling—making the body’s movement an essential part of the experience of the chair.

The model was produced by Knoll and is recognized by its enveloping, rounded-base shell with no visible legs, conceived as a sculptural piece rather than a conventional armchair. This armchair retains that organic and experimental presence, with a tall, continuous silhouette that unites the seat, armrests, and backrest into a single volume. The textile and openwork elements lend it a unique decorative character, although the piece shows visible signs of wear and tear; therefore, it should also be evaluated as a historical object and a radical design of its era.

Marc Held is a French designer, architect, and photographer, a leading figure in experimental design of the 1960s and 1970s. He founded the firm Archiform in Paris and developed a body of work marked by research into new ways of living, the mobility of the body, and the plastic possibilities of modern materials. The “Culbuto,” produced by Knoll, is his most famous design and is documented as one of the most recognizable pieces of postwar French design.