Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

3 Sculptural Form 'Oro' Dining Chairs by Raoul Guys, 1951, Airborne, France

About the Item

Exquisite and extremely rare set of three 'oro' dining chairs designed by sculptor and designer Raoul Guys in 1951 for 'Airborne',France. These chairs were commissioned by Air France ,through the guidance of master French Sculptor Andre Bloc , for use in their 48 airports across the African continent, they were famously used in the 'Brazzaville' complex of hotels and the Hotel N'Gor in Dakar alongside furniture designed by Jean Prouve and Charlotte Perriand also recommended by Andre Bloc. A very rare opportunity to acquire these rare and historically important chairs. This set of three includes one super rare, matching 'oro' chair with armrests and two chairs without armrests They are in all original condition with their original paint that has aged and patinated beautifully Also the wickerwork is old and original and is in a very good condition with just a few small defects consistent with age and use These chairs have a wonderful flowing sculptural form constructed from enameled steel and with decoratively woven wicker leading to a chair which is both beautiful yet sturdy ,light and stackable. You can see why famous French sculptor Andre Bloc was a big fan of Raoul Guys' work. Dimensions: Please note the dimensions listed are for the standard dining chairs without armrests, The chairs with armrests measure as follows:- 22.04 inches deep ; 25.78 inches wide ; height 33.85 inches ; seating height 17.71 inches OR 56 cm deep ; 65.5 cm wide ; height 86cm ; seating height 45 cm Background History: In 1951 Charles Bernard founded his company Airborne in order to bring modern design to the population of France. Bernard asked his close friend and famous sculptor Andre Bloc to seek out talented young designers who could produce furniture with an artistic or sculptural quality. Bloc was already working in this field with the “group espace” who saw art and sculpture as a social phenomena and aimed to bring art into the everyday living experience . For example it was Bloc who commissioned Charlotte Perriand to produce the famous 'Mexico' and 'Tunisie' bookcases for the Cité Internationale Universitaire , Paris for which Bloc also produced the colour scheme and he also worked closely with the Steph Simon gallery in Paris famous for showcasing the work of Prouve,Perriand and Noguchi among others. . Bloc had at this time recently come across a young designer Raoul Guys who’s work he greatly admired and which offered a sculptural quality to furniture design and asked him if he would like to collaborate with Airborne . In the book “les decorateurs des Annees 50” by Patrick Favardin it mentions that Andre Bloc presented Raoul Guys as a very interesting creator. Guy’s chairs had a suprising and sculptural quality in the free spirit of the after war period. Literature : 'ART ET DECORATION' number20, pg 32, 1951 'LE DECOR D'AUJOURD HUI' , number 85, 1954 (please see last black and white image) 'AIRBORNE', page 37, Pierre Deligny, published by les modernistes ,2012 , Paris (please see image number 2).
  • Creator:
    Airborne (Manufacturer),Raoul Guys (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 33.86 in (86 cm)Width: 22.84 in (58 cm)Depth: 22.05 in (56 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 3
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Steel,Wicker,Enameled,Hand-Woven
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1950s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. These chairs have their original wicker in good original condition with a few small defects that are hardly visible, the paint on the metal frames is original and has nicely patinated trought time.
  • Seller Location:
    bergen op zoom, NL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU930133812322
More From This SellerView All
  • Stunning Sculptural Form Wicker Chaise Attributed to Raoul Guys, France, 1950's
    By Raoul Guys
    Located in bergen op zoom, NL
    Stunning French 1950s sculptural form wicker chaise. This chaise has the wonderful juxtaposition of a free form organic flowing organic wicker element mounted on a Minimalist triangu...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues

    Materials

    Steel

  • Pair of Raoul Guys 'Antony', Chairs Designed for Cite University, Paris , 1954
    By Raoul Guys
    Located in bergen op zoom, NL
    Rare and important pair of Raoul Guys 'Antony' chairs designed in 1954 for the world famous 'Cite' university's 'Jean Zay / Antony' residence 'in Paris . This stunning design was produced concurrently by 'Airborne' in France and 'Trefac' in Belgium (on official license) ' Beautiful sculptural form design with enameled steel rod frame and thermoformed plywood seat and backrests .both chairs are finished in their original faux leather fabric. A rare opportunity to acquire a pair complete with original upholstery, We can recover the chairs should we receive a request to do so. This pair were produced by 'Trefac' in Belgium , we found a 'Trefac' manufacturer's catalog dated 1957 which illustrates this model (please see image 6). 'Trefac' produced these chairs for the Belgian market under license from 'Airborne',France. The 'Jean Zay/ Antony' university residence was designed by the French architect Eugene Beaudoin and built in 1954. The interior furniture and lighting for the “Antony” residence was designed by the most influential of the group of “new” French designers , key figures such as Jean Prouve , Charlotte Perriand and Serge Mouille . Several of the chairs chosen for the ”Antony” building in Paris were designed by Raoul Guys including this design and his famous sculptural form wicker and steel lounge chair, please refer to images 2 and 3. These chairs were commissioned by the French government ,through the guidance of master French Sculptor and archtect , Andre Bloc, who greatly admired Guys' sculptural yet practical designs. Bloc was also involved in selecting furniture for the 'Cite' university's 'Maison Bresil' and 'Maison Mexique' university buildings in 1953 again furnished with designs by Jean Prouve , Charlotte Perriand and Serge Mouille among others. Bloc also advised 'Air France' to select Guys' 'oro' series of designs finished in bent steel and wicker for use in their 48 airports across the African continent ,they were famously used in the 'Brazzaville' complex of hotels and the Hotel N'Gor in Dakar again alongside furniture designed by Jean Prouve and Charlotte Perriand again selected by Andre Bloc. Please refer to the the last two images where you can see our collection of chairs that Raoul Guys designed for the 'Anthony' building in Paris and Air France's 'Brazzaville' complex and HotelT N'Gor in Dakar . Charles Bernard founded his company 'Airborne' in order to bring modern design to the population of France. Bernard asked his close friend and famous sculptor and architect Andre Bloc to seek out talented young designers who could produce furniture with an artistic or sculptural quality. Bloc was already working in this field with the “group espace” who saw art and sculpture as a social phenomena and aimed to bring art into the everyday living experience . For example it was Bloc who commissioned Charlotte Perriand to produce the famous 'Mexico' and 'Tunisie' bookcases for the Cité Internationale Universitaire , Paris for which Bloc also produced the colour scheme and he also worked closely with the Steph Simon gallery in Paris famous for showcasing the work of Prouve,Perriand and Noguchi among others. . Bloc had at this time recently come across a young designer Raoul Guys who’s work he greatly admired and which offered a sculptural quality to furniture design and asked him if he would like to collaborate with Airborne . In the book “les decorateurs des Annees 50” by Patrick Favardin it mentions that Andre Bloc presented Raoul Guys as a very interesting creator. Guy’s chairs had a suprising and sculptural quality in the free spirit of the after war period. LITERATURE: 'Airborne i945-75' ,page 35...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

    Materials

    Steel

  • 12 Birch and Aluminium Chairs by Armin Wirth for Aluflex, Switzerland, 1951
    By Aluflex, Armin Wirth
    Located in bergen op zoom, NL
    Large set of 12 Swiss "Aluflex" chairs by Armin Wirth and produced by Aluflex, Switzerland This ingenious lightweight chair is made out ...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Chairs

    Materials

    Aluminum

  • 12 'Chelsea' Dining Chairs by Introini, Saporiti 1966, Upholstery Fully Restored
    By Vittorio Introini, Saporiti
    Located in bergen op zoom, NL
    Very rare large set of 12 walnut wood 'Chelsea' dining chairs by Italian designer Vittorio Introini . The upholstery has been fully restored including new Pantera foam throughout and...
    Category

    Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Chrome

  • 4 Dining Chairs by Pizzetti Rome Italy 1950s, New Wool Boucle Upholstery
    By Mobili Pizzetti
    Located in bergen op zoom, NL
    Nice set of 4 Italian dining chairs produced by Pizzetti, Rome in the 1950s During restoration the original manufacturers labels showed up under the old upholstery and were saved to be added on again when finished The chairs have been restored with respect with new Pirelli rubber strapping and latex interior foam as they were done original Zumirez moonbeam wool bouclé fabric by Zinc from their Malibu collection The black enameled solid steel frames have been polished and have paint loss consistent with age and use but proving the age of these chairs and adding character Upon request the frames can be repainted or powder coated A nice set of Italian chairs...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Steel

  • Swiss Design Set of 4 Hans Bellmann 'GA' Dining Chairs for Horgen Glarus 1955
    By Hans Bellmann, Horgen-Glarus
    Located in bergen op zoom, NL
    Rare set of 4 original early production GA dining chairs by Swiss designer Hans bellmann produced by Horgen Glarus late 1950's Beautiful curved Teak plywood seating on a chromed me...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Chairs

    Materials

    Metal, Chrome

You May Also Like
  • Raoul Guys Attributed Dining Chairs Airborne France 1950
    By Raoul Guys
    Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
    Fantastic set of 6 dining chairs attributed to Raoul Guys, manufactured by Airborne France 1950. These amazing chairs have a solid steel frame which is...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

    Materials

    Metal

  • A Sculptural MID-CENTURY-MODERN MODERNIST CHAIR by RAOUL GUYS, France 1950
    By Raoul Guys
    Located in PARIS, FR
    A spectacular chair of tribal inspiration, Modernist, Brutalist, Popular Art, Free Form, black lacquered metal structure, seat and back with graphic openwork rattan decorations, by R...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

    Materials

    Metal

  • Raoul Guys for Airborne Pair of Lounge Chairs France - 1950s
    By Raoul Guys
    Located in Berlin, DE
    Raoul Guys for Airborne Lounge Chair Pair, France - 1950s in Rattan and Metal. We offer restoration and reupholstery in our in-house atelier. Please ask for a quote
    Category

    Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Metal

  • A MID-CENTURY-MODERN MODERNIST CHAIR Attributed to RAOUL GUYS, France 1950
    By Raoul Guys
    Located in PARIS, FR
    A very graphic chair with compass legs, Modernist, Free Form, Reconstruction, black lacquered metal compass legs, seat and back in red vinyl yarn composition, attributed to Raoul Guy...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

    Materials

    Metal

  • Set of 6 Stackable Chairs Paolo Favaretto & Airborne Assisa Italy 1980s
    By Favaretto & Partners
    Located in Almelo, NL
    Set of 6 Stackable chairs Paolo Favaretto & Airborne Assisa Italy 1980s Beautiful design chairs with a black coated tubular steel structure and a po...
    Category

    Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Steel

  • Set of 9 Stackable Paolo Favaretto & Airborne Assisa 1986
    By Favaretto & Partners
    Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
    Beautiful design chairs with a black coated tubular steel structure and a polypropylene seat and seatback in the color red.
    Category

    Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

    Materials

    Steel

Recently Viewed

View All