1940s Sofa Set by Theo Ruth for Artifort
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 32.68 in (83 cm)Width: 63 in (160 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)Seat Height: 15.36 in (39 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940
- Condition:
- Seller Location:HEVERLEE, BE
- Reference Number:
Theo Ruth
Among the pantheon of talented individuals who have worked for Artifort, Theo Ruth was the acclaimed Dutch furniture manufacturer’s first permanent designer. Ruth’s work significantly advanced Artifort’s laudable reputation, specifically through his designs for armchairs like the 1952 Congo chair and the 1953 Penguin chair.
Ruth was born in 1915 in Maastricht, the Netherlands, where Artifort was established. Founded by Jules Wagemans, Artifort began as Wagemans & Van Tuinen in 1890 before rebranding to Artifort in 1928. Ruth studied furniture and interior design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht and joined the Artifort team in 1936.
Ruth’s long tenure as its head of design and development included overseeing the hiring of key individuals like Artifort’s aesthetic consultant and designer Kho Liang Ie, British furniture designer Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI and French interior designer Pierre Paulin RDI.
Following Ruth’s death in 1971, Artifort has carried on his legacy of innovative furniture through collaborations with numerous top designers, such as Jasper Morrison, Wolfgang C.R. Mezger, René Holten, Claesson Koivisto Rune, Ilse Crawford and Luca Nichetto.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Theo Ruth seating, including lounge chairs, sofas and more.
Artifort
The sterling reputation that Artifort enjoys isn’t limited to the innovative upholstery and fluid, organic shapes for which its products are widely known — the legendary Dutch brand’s vintage seating and other furniture is also celebrated for its embodiment of functionality, comfort and quality. These are among the principles that underpin the philosophy toward modern furniture design at Artifort, which has been at the crossroads of furniture and art for over 125 years.
Prior to 1928, the year Artifort officially became a brand, Jules Wagemans had a small upholstery business in Maastricht, the Netherlands. After setting up in 1890, his son, Henricus Wagemans, broadened the scope of the company to include furniture production. By the end of the 1920s, their showroom in Amsterdam had made them a recognizable brand across the Netherlands.
Then named H. Wagemans & Van Tuien, the company changed its name to Artifort after the economic recession. Artifort came from two Latin words meaning “art” and “strong” — a perfect description for the style of each design and the manufacturer’s intention to create sturdy furnishings. Artifort’s reputation for durable armchairs and sofas endures, and vintage editions of this seating are now family heirlooms in many homes.
Artifort became a magnet for high-profile and up-and-coming designers alike. Many furniture designers’ careers began thanks to collaborations with Artifort, such as Dutch industrial and jewelry designer Gijs Bakker and Indonesian-born designer Kho Liang Ie. Also known for designing the interiors at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, Kho Liang Ie was an aesthetic consultant at Artifort and used his expertise to turn the company into a world-class brand. Perhaps his largest contribution, however, was attracting the talents of French furniture and interior designer Pierre Paulin and English furniture designer Geoffrey D. Harcourt.
Paulin’s bright and colorful lounge chairs, such as his Orange Slice chair and Mushroom chair, are still central to the Artifort identity. The revered designer not only introduced new construction techniques to Artifort furniture, but contributed fresh materials, Pop art colors and dazzling shapes to the mid-century modern era as a whole, while Harcourt deserves credit for popularizing Artifort internationally and extending their reach into foreign markets.
Another talent boom in the 1990s at Artifort yielded collaborations with Jasper Morrison, Wolfgang Mezger and René Holten. Iranian designer Khodi Feiz was named art director in 2014 and has continued the tradition of recruiting top designers such as Claesson Koivisto Rune, Ilse Crawford and Luca Nichetto.
Find a collection of vintage Artifort lounge chairs, tables and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: heverlee, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Artifort F780 sofa set by Pierre Paulin, 1980sBy ArtifortLocated in HEVERLEE, BEPierre Paulin sofa set and table model F780 by Artifort. This model was made in the 1980s. This example is an original old sofa from the eighties which has still the orginal upholstery This vintage Artifort sofa...Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Montana armchairs by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1990s - set of 4By Artifort, Geoffrey D. HarcourtLocated in HEVERLEE, BESet of 4 black fabric armchairs on casters designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort. The chairs are labeled on the side with a round metal plate and marked underneath the seates. ...Category
1990s Belgian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric
- Leather Maralunga sofa set by Vico Magistretti for CassinaBy Cassina, Vico MagistrettiLocated in HEVERLEE, BEVintage white/beige leather maralunga sofa set designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in 1973. Iconic design sofa with a timeless look. The set consists of a 2 seater and two arm...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for CassinaLocated in HEVERLEE, BEVintage maralunga sofa designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in 1973. This iconic design sofa is upholstered in a grey/dark blue upholstery. The backrests are adjustable and mec...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Baisity Sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, 1980sBy Antonio Citterio, B&B ItaliaLocated in HEVERLEE, BERare vintage 'Baisity' sofa designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. This two seater sofa has the recognisable armrests, typical for this sofa. Original leather. Good ov...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Two seater sofa by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, 1980sBy Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar RellingLocated in HEVERLEE, BERare two seater bench designed by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa. It consists of two armchairs put toghether to create this rare bench. Black leather with a beige beech wood frame. ...Category
Vintage 1980s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Congo Sofa by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Appeltern, GelderlandSofa 'Congo' by Theo Ruth for Artifort, newly upholstered with Luxury Siberian long pile faux fur upholstery fabric The Netherlands, 1950s This Congo sofa is by Theo Ruth for Artifor...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBeech
- Theo Ruth Mid Century Sofa for Artifort 1956By Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Tilburg, NLThis is a wonderful sofa designed by Theo Ruth for Wagemans & van Tuinen / Artifort, made in 1956. The design of this sofa is classic mid-century and Scandinavian in style, but really comes to life due to the fantastic colorful upholstery. This vertically striped fabric shows many geometrical shapes, variations and colors and is quintessentially mid-century in appearance. At the same time, it is also very modern and this sofa will be a stunning addition in every interior. The design of this Theo Ruth sofa...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Mid Century 2-Seat Sofa by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLStunning Mid-Century Modern 2-seat sofa, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort in the 50s. This lovely sofa is just restored with new Italian bouclé fabric, it is in perfect conditio...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Theo Ruth for Artifort Sofa in Beige Corduroy UpholsteryBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Waalwijk, NLTheo Ruth for Artifort, sofa, fabric, wood, The Netherlands, 1970. A Dutch settee in beige corduroy upholstery by Theo Ruth. The back tilts slightly backward and has the recognizab...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Artifort Theo Ruth Cocktail Sofa, Netherlands, 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Voorburg, NLBeautiful Artifort cocktail sofa, designed by Theo Ruth in the early fifties. The sofa is in unique condition with beautiful snow-white alcantara uphols...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Theo Ruth f115 Sofa by Artifort, Netherlands, 1958By Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandF115 Sofa by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958. These are rare pieces; amazing and sophisticated center-pieces. We also have two armchairs available. The sofa has been n...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal