1930s Jindrich Halabala Attributed Pair of Czechoslovakian Art Deco Armchairs

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We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and … Read more We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects
Iconic pair of Czechoslovakian armchairs, the so-called "Banannachair"; the solid and sturdy frame is made of excellent steam-curved walnut wood; the line is simple and straightforward; the armrests are of exceptional aesthetic perfection; the whole armchair is elegant and of rare refinement. They were made between 1935 and 1938 in Brno, Czechoslovakia, and after consulting catalogs and publications of the time we can attribute them with certainty to the Jindrich Halabala design. We should point out that the armchairs underwent an expensive complete restoration that was very laborious, as they had to undergo the total dismantling of the components, the refinishing of the wooden armrests, and the total upholstery in high-quality, durable velvet using traditional, handcrafted methods. Jindrich Halabala was born May 24, 1903, in the town of Koryčany, Czechoslovakia, and died in Brno in 1978; he grew up training to become a cabinetmaker in his father's carpentry workshop, in 1920 he entered the Valašské Meziříčí State School for Woodworking and completed his practical studies at the United Arts and Crafts Manufacture in Brno, later becoming the company's chief designer until 1946. Halabala significantly influenced the production program from the 1930s onward, paving the way for industrial furniture production in Czechoslovakia; in the interwar period and after World War II he created furniture that filled the interiors of Czech and European homes at the time. David Kmínek, head of furniture said of him:" There is a fusion of style in his work, with influences from Functionalism and Art Deco, and Halabala mixed them in a way that you can feel both trends in his furniture. It's not pure Functionalism like in Germany or pure Art Deco in France or Belgium, and it's also different from what you find in Vienna, where you see more decorative pieces. He mixed all these trends together and came out with his own individual furniture line that looks very modern. Among style influences such as Czech Cubism and Art Deco, Halabala was also strongly inspired by the Bauhaus aesthetic, which tried to combine fine arts aesthetics with everyday function." He developed many types of original and innovative seating, as well as two basic series of modular furniture, and also modern tubular steel furniture. The productions conceived and designed by Jindrich Halabala during the interwar and immediate postwar periods are considered to be of the highest quality, and their simple, modern design has enabled many of the furniture pieces to remain popular and sought after to this day. Halabala's designs can be found in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Olomouc Art Museum, the Moravska Gallery in Brno, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam; today, the Czech Republic awards an annual prize in his name for excellence in furniture and interior design. Measures width cm.59, depth cm.56, height cm.83, seat cm.40. The fully restored armchairs are in excellent condition. For all our shipments we use special packing materials (wooden crates, styrofoam, etc.) for maximum protection and safety of the items. See less