Penguin Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern penguin chair, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort.
Fabric, Wood
Penguin Lounge Arm Chair by Theo Ruth for Dutch Manufacturer Artifort
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original Penguin lounge arm-chair designed by Theo Ruth for the Dutch manufacturer Artifort.
Wood
Penguin Armchair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950
By Theo Ruth
Located in Kampen, NL
Designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort, in the Netherlands during the 1950s, the Penguin Chair is an iconic example of mid-century Dutch modernism.
Fabric, Hardwood
Pair of Armchairs Penguin by Theo Ruth for Artifort
By Theo Ruth
Located in Brussels, BE
The Penguin armchair by Theo Ruth for Dutch manufacturer Artifort is one of the icons of Dutch design from 1957.
Fabric, Wood
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 25.2 in D 22.05 in
“Penguin” Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands 1950
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Wilnis, UT
A beautiful “Penguin” chair designed by Theo Ruth, manufactured by Artifort in the Netherlands around 1950.
Fabric, Wood
Unavailable
H 29.14 in W 25.99 in D 27.56 in
Theo Ruth Mid-Century Modern Armchair Model Penguin for Artifort, 1957
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Ghent, BE
An original "Penguin" lounge chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Mid-Century Modern Dutch design from 1957.
Faux Leather, Wood
Theo Ruth Penguin Chairs Artifort, 1957
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice pair of iconic 'Penguin' chairs designed by Theo Ruth and manufactures by Artifort, Holland 1957.
Fabric, Beech
Penguin Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Munich, DE
Two upholstered Penguin Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort. The upholstery is a new velvet stripe fabric.
Oak, Velvet
Penguin Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
A rare yellow penguin lounge chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort. A modular design comprised of two interlocking pieces, seat and back can separate.
Faux Leather, Wood
Theo Ruth Penguin Lounge Chair for Artifort, 1950s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in The Hague, NL
The iconic Penguin chair was designed by Theo Ruth and produced by Artifort in 1957.
Wool, Wood
Theo Ruth Black "Penguin" Lounge Chair for Artifort, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Delft, NL
Theo Ruth "Penguin" lounge chair for Artifort, 1950s The chair upholstered in black wool fabric The chair exists of two parts The measurements are: 82 cm high and 75 cm ...
Wool, Wood
Penguin and Congo Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1957
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
The congo and penguin chair are both interlocking for easy assembly and transportation This design is by Theo Ruth for Artifort in 1957 and based on concept of an African shepherd ...
Upholstery, Seagrass, Birch
Sold
H 30.71 in W 29.14 in D 33.08 in
Congo & Penguin Lounge chairs Design Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Den Haag, NL
These iconic chairs is on a high quality beech wooden base. These stunning pieces of Dutch design would make a real eye-catcher in any interior! These Penguin and congo chair consis...
Fabric
Sold
H 32.29 in W 30.71 in D 29.93 in
Theo Ruth Penguin Armchair in Black and White Fabric for Artifort, Netherlands
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Great Penguin lounge chair desgined by Theo Ruth in the early fifties and manufactured by Artifort, Netherlands.
Fabric, Wood
Theo Ruth 'Penguin' Chairs for Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Theo Ruth 'Penguin' Chairs made for Artifort. These chairs are made of two interlocking parts, making them both stable and comfortable.
Beech
Theo Ruth Penguin Chair for Artifort
By Artifort, Julian Marshall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Piece of Furniture. A Two-Piece Chair with Tension Construction. Original Carved Birch Frame with New Bone White Upholstery.
Upholstery
Sold
H 32.49 in W 29.73 in D 28.75 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Penguin Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, design 1957
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern Penguin lounge chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort.
Fabric, Beech
Armchair Penguin Theo Ruth Artifort
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Penguin Lounge Chair designed in 1957 by Theo Ruth for Artifort.
Penguin Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1957
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Wilnis, UT
Beautifull Penguin chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, manufactured in the Netherlands in 1957.
Beech, Fabric
Penguin Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1957
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Wilnis, UT
A beautiful Penguin chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, manufactured in The Netherlands in 1957.
Fabric, Beech, Wool, Cotton
Sold
H 35.04 in W 30.32 in D 31.5 in
Easy chair Penguin, model 107, by Theo Ruth, for Artifort, Netherlands 1960s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Penguin Easy chair designed by Theo Ruth and produced by Artifort in the Netherlands around 1960.
Fabric, Wood
"Penguin" Chair in Original Leather Upholstery by Theo Ruth for Artifort
By Theo Ruth
Located in New York, NY
Iconic 1957 "Penguin" chair by Theo Ruth in original leather upholstery with great patina.
Sold
H 32.68 in W 31.5 in D 29.93 in
Mid-Century Modern Armchair Model Penguin by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1957
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Beek en Donk, NL
A recently upholstered "Penguin" lounge chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Mid-Century Modern Dutch design, 1957.
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 32.68 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Penguin Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, the Netherlands, 1957
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Wilnis, UT
Amazing pair of Penguin chairs by Theo Ruth manufactured by Artifort in The Netherlands in 1957.
Faux Leather, Beech
Theo Ruth "Penguin" Armchair
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Dubai, AE
Lovely small but comfy little armchair - Reupholstered, with wood in pretty good condition at a very fair price.
Wood
Sold
H 32.63 in W 29.88 in D 31.5 in
Julius Vermeulen and Theo Ruth Penguin Chairs in "Hotstuff" and "Insects", 2014
By Artifort, Theo Ruth, Julius Vermeulen
Located in Blauvelt, NY
Julius Vermeulen and Theo Ruth; Penguin chair designed in 2014 is made from carved birch, polyester, organic cotton and leather. Theo Ruth's penguin chair and the postage stamp have ...
Birch, Cotton, Leather, Polyester
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes one E12 base bulb, up to 25 W or highe...
Iron
Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Murano glass wall sconces, in stock Fume color and horizontal striation texture Black opaline finials and brass accents Art Deco inspired design. Gives off warm beams of lig...
Brass
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Finished in Batavia Black with a Sandbar finish interior, this bookcase showcases rhythmic, crescent-shaped oval cut-outs that form an architectural silhouette—an homage to the sculp...
Wood
Dutch Landscape, Moonlight, Oil on Oak from the 19th Century
Located in Budapest, HU
A small-scale nocturne depicting a low Dutch riverside town under a heavy, advancing cloud mass, painted with a deliberately restrained palette and a clear emphasis on atmosphere ove...
Oak, Paint
$2,624
H 18.12 in W 18.12 in D 1.38 in
Italian Riviera Franco Albini Rattan Square Sunburst Mirror, Loop Design, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Midcentury Franco Albini Rattan Mirror ___________________________________________________________ A highly decorative squared Mid-Century Modern mirror with undulated rattan frame a...
Cane, Rattan, Mirror
$3,266 / item
H 12.6 in W 28.35 in D 36.23 in
Flush Mount Brass and Glass Chandelier 8 Arms, Stilnovo Style, Low Ceiling Best
By Silvio Piattelli, Stilnovo
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This chandelier is specifically designed for low ceilings, with a height of only 13 inches (32 cm). The arms and shade holders are made of brass, while the central part is made of me...
Metal, Brass
$5,300 / set
H 17 in W 10.75 in D 6.5 in
Textured Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Smoke Color, Modern Design, Italy
Located in Austin, TX
Murano glass sconces with a smoke color to the textured glass and black glass sphere finials. The “stampato” glass is textured with ridges and is curved in design, making a superb de...
Murano Glass
Organic Modern Table Lamp Sculptural Parota Wood Base
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
Pata de Elefante Small Table Lamp — Atomic Collection by Isabel Moncada Named ""Elephant's Foot"" for its bold, bulbous base, the Pata de Elefante Small is one of Isabel Moncada's m...
Fiberglass, Linen, Fabric, Wood
$3,990 / item
H 34 in W 31 in D 40 in
Custom Made to Order Belgian Linen Slip Cover Club Chair with Down Cushion
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This White Linen Slip-Covered Lounge Chair fits as the perfect accent to any room. It's the perfect chair to have adjacent to a sofa, and can make every pillow look delightful in the...
Cotton, Linen, Wood, Down
$19,708 / item
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Giovannetti, 1970s Anfibio Foldable Sofa in Cream Colored Fabric Project, Becchi
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Casalguidi, IT
The bed-sofa, designed by Alessandro Becchi together with the Giovannetti staff has recently celebrated its 50 years. Its history is full of important events and participations. A p...
Wool, Cotton
The Albert, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Has been used by many influent...
Linen
$3,750 / set
H 25 in W 3.5 in D 2.5 in
Murano Glass Sconces, Hand-Blown Smoked Glass on Brass Frame, Italy
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Murano glass sconces, each crafted with a single curved panel of hand-blown smoked glass on a brass frame. We love the modern style and hand-crafted quality of these sconces....
Brass
$5,450 / set
H 13 in W 8 in D 5 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Murano Glass Ribbed Sconces with Brass Structure
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of sconces from Murano, Italy made of hand-blown and stamped glass. The ribbed texture of the glass creates a beautiful filter for the light. The structure is made of brass. The...
Brass
Basurto 01 Contemporary Wooden and Fabric Stool
By Difane, Colección Estudio
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A tribute to the architectural style that characterized Mexico City during the mid-20th century. Inspired by its lines, symmetry, volumes and shapes, each piece is a miniature abstra...
Hardwood
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.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
