Pierre Paulin, Orange Slice Chair for Artifort

PIERRE PAULIN (Paris, 1927–Montpellier, 2009) for Artifort.
Lounge chair in original black fabric, with a base in chromes steel, the chair are designed in 1960
Minor signs of wear and patina.
Produced by Artifort.
Measurements: 80 x 70 x 80 cm, seat high 41.

The Orange Slice (model F437), designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1960, is one of the most iconic pieces of 20th-century organic design. Its structure consists of two identical curved forms that evoke the segments of an orange—one forming the seat and the other the backrest with armrests—creating a sculptural, lightweight, and enveloping silhouette. Upholstered over a molded foam frame and supported by a four-legged chrome-plated tubular steel base, it combines great comfort with an innovative and dynamic aesthetic that reflects Paulin’s quest to integrate ergonomics, modernity, and formal expression into contemporary furniture.

Pierre Paulin was one of the most influential French designers of the 20th century, recognized for revolutionizing furniture design with his organic, sculptural, and ergonomic forms. After training at the École Camondo in Paris, he began experimenting with new techniques and materials, such as molded foam and elastic fabrics, which allowed him to create chairs that offered great comfort and an innovative aesthetic. His collaboration with the Dutch firm Artifort in the 1960s and 1970s gave rise to iconic pieces such as the Mushroom, Orange Slice, Ribbon, and Tongue chairs, which have become benchmarks of modern design. In addition to his work as a furniture designer, he undertook major interior design projects, including the renovation of the private apartments at the Élysée Palace for Presidents Georges Pompidou and François Mitterrand, thereby cementing a legacy that remains a benchmark in the history of contemporary design.