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'Big Oyster' 157 Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
€2,850Bid from €2,500
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About this seller
Private sellerHaaren, NetherlandsOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 11 sales
Product description
Beautiful vintage armchair model F157, also known as ‘Big Oyster’, designed by Pierre Paulin and produced by Artifort around 1960. One of Paulin's earliest designs for Artifort and already clearly recognizable as a precursor to the sculptural armchairs for which he would become known in the 1960s.
This piece is an early version with a nickel-plated metal frame and comes from the estate of its first owners. The armchair has always remained within the same family since its purchase and, according to the family, was bought by their parents in the late 1950s or early 1960s. A special provenance that fits well with the early dating of this piece.
The armchair has been completely re-upholstered. Both the seat and the back are fitted with new foam and covered with McNutt from Danish Art Weaving, a coarse wool fabric in a warm beige mélange. The different shades in the weave give the large upholstered surfaces extra depth, while the fabric simultaneously feels particularly soft and high-quality. The nickel-plated frame has been carefully cleaned and otherwise preserved as much as possible in its original condition.
The design revolves around the large, curved shell that, as it were, folds around the user and strongly resembles an oyster shell, which is where the name ‘Oyster’ comes from. The back and seat together form one generous volume, while the slender metal base provides an airy contrast. Especially from the side, this almost sculptural form stands out strongly. An early and distinctive design by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, in which comfort and sculptural design beautifully come together. A special piece of Dutch design from a period when Dutch furniture manufacturers held a strong international position.
Specifications
CategoryArmchairsConditionExcellentColorsCremeMaterialWoolNumber of items1BrandArtifortHeight85 cmWidth91 cmDepth75 cmSeat height34 cmSeller locationHaaren, NetherlandsDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerHaaren, NetherlandsOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 11 sales