Raphael Raffel, France 1970's Luxurious Leather and Polished Steel Lounge Chairs - Pair

Description

Rare and important pair of vintage steel framed leather Lounge Chairs by Raphael Raffel 1912 - 2000. Paris - France; … more Rare and important pair of vintage steel framed leather Lounge Chairs by Raphael Raffel 1912 - 2000. Paris - France; better known as Raphael. The chairs are a dark brown leather on a satin-finished steel wishbone base, with canted arms and leather pads. Approximate dimensions; 30 in. H x 27.5 in. W x 27.5 in.D. The chairs are published in the book Raphael Décorateur, Guy Bloch-Champfort on page 191. These are excellent examples in original leather, reconditioned. We love the comfort and ample size with these chairs, and how they bring a touch of modern in any setting - think Mies Van Der Rhoe's, Brno chair.

Raphaël Raffel, best known as Raphaël, was born in Paris in 1912. Much like some of his contemporaries André Arbus, Jacques Adnet and Jules Leleu. Raphaël found inspiration in the décor of the eighteenth century. In the 1940s, his work became synonymous with the status of the “ensembliers-décorateurs,” or a true designer of an interior space in its totality. In this way, Raphaël was not only a creator of singular items of furniture, but he controlled the decoration of walls, the lighting, and every other element on display within an interior space. By the 1950's, Raphaël was well-established as a collaborator with other French designers. In 1952, his work was shown alongside designs by Georges Jouve in the Salon des Arts Ménagers, and in the same year he and André Arbus were given the joint task of decorating a portion of the grand ocean liner, Le Bretagne. Beyond this Raphaël also became known in his own right for elegant combinations of lacquer, distinctive coloring, glasswork and gilt bronze. His use of refined materials and impeccable execution recall the Louis XVI period. By the 1960's, Raphaél became inspired by Italian and American space age design, the clean lines, and new materials of mid-century modern, and these chairs are wonderful examples of the contemporary styles of the time. less