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
Late 20th Century Dutch Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
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
Fabric, Wood
$7,146
H 30.71 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
Armchair Model 115 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair model 115 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950s Beech wooden base.
Beech
$6,600
H 35.83 in W 31.11 in D 35.44 in
Theo Ruth "Model 105" Hairpin Armchair for Artifort, Netherlands 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Utrecht, NL
Among the pantheon of talented individuals who have worked for Artifort, Theo Ruth was the
Fabric, Wood
$4,526Sale Price / set|41% Off
H 29.14 in W 33.08 in D 20.87 in
Artifort Armchairs Model 410 from Theo Ruth Set 50's Artifort Armchairs Model 41
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Oirlo, LI
from that time. The armchairs were designed in 1956 by Theo Ruth who made many beautiful models for
Fabric
Artifort 410 Chair by Theo Ruth, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Amazing Artifort model 410 Chair. This comfortable chair is designed by Theo Ruth in the beginning
Fabric
$3,275
H 35.83 in W 27.56 in D 34.65 in
Artifort Theo Ruth 'Gentleman's' Cocktail Chair, Netherlands 1950s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Voorburg, NL
Beautiful Artifort Cocktail Chair, designed by Theo Ruth in the early 1950s. The chair is in unique
Upholstery, Beech
Congo Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern Congo Chair, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Iconic Dutch design
Fabric, Wood
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. Iconic Dutch design
Fabric, Wood
Set of 2 Artifort 410 Chairs by Theo Ruth, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Set amazing Artifort model 410 Chairs. These comfortable chairs are designed by Theo Ruth in the
Fabric
$9,517 / set
H 31.5 in W 32.68 in D 31.5 in
Set of 2 "F115" Lounge Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1960's
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning set of lounge chairs, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort in the 60's. The frame of the
Metal
$2,382
H 32.29 in W 26.38 in D 21.66 in
Leather and oak Armchair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, The Netherlands 1940s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
The Netherlands / 1940 / Armchair / Theo Ruth / Artifort / wood, leather, wicker / Art Deco
Leather, Wicker, Oak
Leather and Oak Armchair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1940
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare leather and oak armchair with block turned legs and arms.
Wood
Lounge Chairs Model 410 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s
By Theo Ruth
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Pair of club chairs designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort in 1955. The chairs are upholstered in the
Faux Leather, Wood
Limited Edition Artifort Pinguin Chair by Theo Ruth
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Norwich, GB
Artifort celebrates its 125th anniversary with a limited edition re-release of Theo Ruth’s iconic
Fabric, Oak
410 Club Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1956, Set of 2
By Theo Ruth
Located in Ostend, BE
This set of two club chairs was designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort in 1956. Each chair has four
Leather
410 Club Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1956, Set of 2
By Theo Ruth
Located in Ostend, BE
This set of two club chairs was designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort in 1956. Each chair has four
Leather
Unavailable
H 34.65 in W 29.14 in D 35.44 in
Important Rare Armchairs Designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort Maastricht, 1949
By Theo Ruth
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Important and very unique pair of armchairs by Theo Ruth. There are only these examples of this
Mohair, 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
Faux Leather, Wood
Theo Ruth Armchair for Artifort, Netherlands 1950s
By Theo Ruth
Located in Utrecht, NL
Among the pantheon of talented individuals who have worked for Artifort, Theo Ruth was the
Fabric, Wood
Theo Ruth for Artifort Lounge Chair
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome Theo Ruth Armchair with Tapered Wood Legs and New Mustard Yellow Upholstery. In Very Good
Upholstery, Wood
Theo Ruth Tall Back Lounge Chair
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Theo Ruth armchair with tall back, new grape upholstery. Beautiful curvey lines, original legs with
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 32.68 in D 31.5 in
Theo Ruth F815 Armchair for Artifort New Upholstery, Netherlands, 1958
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Very rare Theo Ruth armchair model F815 for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958. The listing and price are
Metal
Pair of Black Theo Ruth Lounge Chairs by Artifort
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Theo Ruth armchairs for Artifort in New Charcoal black upholstery. Frame is original and
Upholstery, Wood
Theo Ruth Model 105 Armchairs
By Theo Ruth
Located in Culver City, CA
Pair of Model 105 modern armchairs with unique form. Dated and stamped.
Leather, Fabric
Set of Two Rare Theo Ruth for Artifort Armchairs
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Two special chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort. The armchairs are upholstered in a blue fabric and
Metal
Sold
H 29.14 in W 33.08 in D 20.87 in
Artifort Armchairs Model 410 from Theo Ruth Set 50's Artifort Armchairs Model 41
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Oirlo, LI
from that time. The armchairs were designed in 1956 by Theo Ruth who made many beautiful models for
Fabric
Sold
H 31.5 in W 32.68 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Armchairs Model F115 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of armchairs model F115 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950s Recently reupholstered.
Metal
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
Oak, Velvet
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 Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Great Penguin lounge chair desgined by Theo Ruth in the early fifties and manufactured by Artifort
Fabric, Wood
Theo Ruth for Artifort 1950's Lounge Chair
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Version of this Theo Ruth Wing Back Tufted Armchair in New Royal Blue Fabric. Original Frame
Upholstery, Wood
Theo Ruth Congo Lounge Chairs, Netherlands, Mid-20th Century
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of lounge chairs on curved feet out of cherrywood by Theo Ruth (1925-1971). The strongly
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Theo Ruth For Artifort Tall Back Lounge Chair in Navy
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Version of this Theo Ruth Wing Back Tufted Armchair in New Navy Blue Fabric. Original Frame
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Artifort Theo Ruth Chair / Armchair, 1950
By Theo Ruth
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Artifort Theo Ruth chair / armchair, 1950 Vintage chair that was designed circa 1950 by
Fabric
Theo Ruth for Artifort Armchair
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Theo Ruth lounge chair, circa 1956 with full curves. Frame is original, newly upholstered
Upholstery, Wood
Theo Ruth F815 Armchairs by Artifort, Netherlands, 1958
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Pair of f815 / f115 armchairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958. These are rare pieces
Fabric, Wood
Theo Ruth F815 Armchair by Artifort, Netherlands, 1958
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
F815 armchair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958. This is a rare, amazing and
Metal
F115 Armchairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Pair of f115 armchairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958. These are rare pieces
Metal
F115 Armchairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Pair of f115 armchairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958. These are rare pieces
Metal
Theo Ruth Lounge Chair by Artifort
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Theo Ruth lounge armchair for Artifort in brand new cobalt blue velvet upholstery. Lightly
Velvet, Teak
Theo Ruth Lounge Chair by Artifort
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive Theo Ruth winged back lounge armchair for Artifort in brand new canary yellow velvet
Velvet, Wood
Theo Ruth Lounge Chair by Artifort
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Theo Ruth lounge armchair for Artifort in brand new wine velvet upholstery. Legs are lightly
Velvet, Foam, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 34.26 in
Mid-Century Theo Ruth Artifort 1950s Boucle Armchair / Lounge Chair
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
, the seat can be zipped off. Designed by the famous Dutch Designer The Ruth who designed it for
Bouclé, Wood
vintage f109 easy chair Theo Ruth Artifort
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage armchair easy chair Theo Ruth Artifort Rare model armchair designed by Theo Ruth for
Fabric, Oak
Pair of Stylish 1960s Dutch Lounge Chairs
By Theo Ruth
Located in London, England
designer Theo Ruth for Artifort. Incredibly comfortable with a deep and wide comfortable cushioned seat.
Turquoise Theo Ruth Lounge Chair for Artifort
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury lounge or armchair by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Brand new turquoise velvet upholstery with
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 32.68 in D 31.5 in
F815 Armchairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort in New Fabric, Netherlands, 1958
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Pair of F815 armchairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958. These are very rare, amazing
Metal
Sold
H 35.83 in W 31.11 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Theo Ruth "Model 105" Hairpin Armchairs for Artifort, Netherlands 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Utrecht, NL
Among the pantheon of talented individuals who have worked for Artifort, Theo Ruth was the
Fabric, Wood
Emerald Green Velvet Theo Ruth Lounge Chair by Artifort
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Theo Ruth lounge armchair for Artifort in new emerald green velvet upholstery. Wood Legs have been
Velvet, Foam, Wood
Early Scandinavian Wingback Lounge Chairs
By Artifort, Theo Ruth, Carl Malmsten
Located in San Diego, CA
upholstery. Minor wear considering the age. Very much in the manner of Carl Malmsten, Theo Ruth or Fritz
Pair of 60's Armchairs by Theo Ruth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 60's armchairs upholstered with leather, by Theo Ruth. Extremely comfortable
Wood, Leather
Pair of armchairs by Theo Ruth Artifort 1950's
By Julian Marshall
Located in Den Haag, NL
Two armchairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Rare heigh and low model both with wool brown jersey
Mid-Century Scandinavian Plaid Armchair with Original Upholstery
By Theo Ruth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century armchair with original green and plaid upholstery and beautifully carved teak armrests
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Armchair from Artifort & DUX, 1950s
By Dux of Sweden, Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Beirut, LB
Rare early Artifort lounge chair attributed to Theo Ruth. This amazing Mid-Century Modern papa bear
Fabric, Oak
Pair off Artifort Theo Ruth armchairs 1950's
By Julian Marshall
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair off Artifort Theo Ruth armchairs 1950's
Pair of Theo Ruth Armchairs for Artifort
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Theo Ruth lounge chair circa 1956 with full curves. Theo Ruth was an interior and furniture
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 27.56 in D 29.53 in
Theo Ruth Armchair in Crème Bouclé for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
New upholstered armchair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958. This is a rare, amazing and
Fabric
Artifort by Theo Ruth, Two Armchairs, 1950s
By Theo Ruth
Located in Delft, NL
Two armchairs by Artifact (Netherlands), 1950s Attributed to Theo Ruth (1915-1971) The chairs
Fabric, Wood
Theo Ruth for Artifor Armchair F109 Lady
By Theo Ruth
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Armchair, velvet and oak, 1950s. This moss green voluptuous armchair by Theo Ruth (1915-) is a
Velvet, Oak
Midcentury Theo Ruth "Penguin" Style Armchair from the 1960s
By Theo Ruth
Located in Paris, FR
very similar to Theo Ruth "Penguin" designs. Adjustable in 2 positions Original piece from the 60's
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech
Theo Ruth for Artifort F109 'Gentleman' Armchair
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Theo Ruth for Artifort, armchair, beech, red fabric, the Netherlands, 1950s. This velvet
Fabric, Beech
Theo Ruth for Artifort Reupholstered 'Gentleman' Armchair
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Theo Ruth for Artifort, F109 armchair, white and grey fabric and wood, the Netherlands, 1950s
Fabric, Wood
Theo Ruth for Artifort Reupholstered 'Lady' Armchair F109
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Waalwijk, NL
armchair by Theo Ruth (1915-) is a very strong singular item. The back flows with a natural grace into the
Fabric, Wood
Teddy Armchair by Theo Ruth for Artifort 50’s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Teddy armchair by Theo Ruth for Artifort 50’s. Classic model reupholstered in thick teddy fabric
Fabric
Sold
H 30.71 in W 27.56 in D 31.5 in
Armchair model 109 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950’s The Netherlands.
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Armchair model 109 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950’s The Netherlands. This rare mid-century piece
Fabric, Wood
Artifort Theo Ruth Cocktail 'Lady' Chair, Netherlands, 1950s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Voorburg, NL
Beautiful Artifort cocktail chair, designed by Theo Ruth in the early fifties. The chair is in
Upholstery, Beech
Theo Ruth High Back Lounge Chair with New Upholstery
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Theo Ruth high back lounge chair with new mahogany velvet upholstery. Frame is in original
Velvet
Set of Lounge Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern set of lounge chairs, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort in the 50s
Fabric, Wood
Model 115 chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s the Netherlands.
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Model 115 chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s the Netherlands. This chair was made in 1958 and
Bouclé, Wood
Sold
H 27.96 in W 23.63 in D 28.35 in
Mid Century Set of Lounge Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern set of lounge chairs, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort in the 50s
Wood, Fabric
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...
Mohair, Oak
$7,500 / set
H 27.17 in W 30.71 in D 31.5 in
Danish Mid-Century, Pair of Curved Club Chairs, Viggo Boesen Style, 1940s
By Fritz Hansen, Flemming Lassen, Viggo Boesen, Mogens Lassen
Located in Odense, DK
A rare comfortable pair of easy chairs with some beautiful curves. Original fabric with decorative bird motifs, made by a skilled Danish cabinetmaker in the 1940s. These beautiful ch...
Wood, Fabric, Beech
Sold|$16,080
H 31.5 in W 34.26 in D 34.26 in
Pair of Sten Wicéns Armchairs in Pierre Frey Fabric and Elm, Sweden, 1950s
By La Maison Pierre Frey, Sten Wicén
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare pair of armchairs was produced by Sten Wicéns Möbelindustri in Sweden in the 1950s. The elegant design is characterized by its rounded, organic lines, creating a sumptuous...
Fabric, Upholstery, Elm
French Designer, Table Lamp, Brass, Metal, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass, black and cream-white lacquered metal table lamp likely designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Oxidation present to brass Light loss of black lacquer to me...
Metal, Brass
$13,698 / item
H 49.22 in Dm 70.87 in
Brass and Parchment Paper Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Impressive chandelier made of white enameled brass arms holding six beautiful parchment paper shades, which can be adjusted thanks to the handle of each socket. Signed by the arti...
Brass
$2,500 / item
H 17.72 in Dm 14.97 in
Soda Blown Murano Glass High Coffee Table in Petrol by Yiannis Ghikas
By Yiannis Ghikas, Miniforms
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Soda was born upside-down, with a puff of air. It weighs 20 kilos, and it is blown, drawn out and shaped by three master glassmakers. The result is a single volume of glass with thre...
Blown Glass
$10,983 / set
H 28.35 in W 36.23 in D 30.71 in
Armchairs in the Style of Flemming Lassen / Viggo Boesen, Pure Alpaca Upholstery
By Flemming Lassen, Viggo Boesen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A beautiful pair of armchairs, in the style of Flemming Lassen / Viggo Boesen, newly upholstered in a premium ivory / stone pure Alpaca fabric. Priced and sold as a pair together. Fa...
Alpaca, Wood
$2,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 60 in D 23 in
Mid Century Upholstered Lounge Chair in the Style of Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Basel, BS
Very cool and unique Mid Century Original Lounge Chair Floor rocker. This chair rocks, and if you put stoppers on it, it will remain stable. Perfect centerpiece as well as conversati...
Walnut, Upholstery
$7,694 / item
H 39.38 in W 9.85 in D 31.5 in
Parchment, Brass and Glass Table Lamp by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Ventola table lamp by the artist Diego Mardegan exclusively for Glustin Luminaires. Beautiful two ways shade made of a brass structure, parchemin paper and waxed fabric hold by an...
Brass
Long Chandelier in Patinated Brass by Studio Glustin
By Glustin Creation
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Long chandelier in patinated brass and opaline glass. Creation by Studio Glustin.
Brass
$3,959 / item
H 29.92 in W 30.7 in D 30.7 in
Customizable Tacchini Lina Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
Lina is a re-edition of one of the earliest projects designed by Gianfranco Frattini, one of the great masters of Italian design. Nominated in 1955 for the Compasso d’oro, the armcha...
Leather, Fabric
$6,500
H 15.5 in W 31.88 in D 15.25 in
Roger Capron Ceramic Tiles Coffee or Side Table Vallauris, France
By Roger Capron
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Capron ceramic tiled coffee or side table. This style was often done by Capron during the 60's which was less literal and more abstract, with the emphasis on the beauty of the...
Iron
$3,521 / item
H 16.93 in W 46.46 in D 14.18 in
Kai Kristiansen Upholstered Bench in Fumed Oak and Mohair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen, a key figure in the Danish Modern movement, designed the Entre Series in 1956 as a modular collection of bedside cabinets, benches, and chests. Combining Danish desi...
Velvet, Oak
$6,470 / set
H 34.65 in W 28.75 in D 29.53 in
Set of Two Montreux Armchairs in Retro-Style In Custom High Performance Velvet
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This set of two Montreux armchairs brings retro-inspired elegance to life through soft sculptural lines and enveloping comfort. Upholstered in a sumptuous chocolate velvet, the chair...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Italian Dining Chairs
Located in Austin, TX
Set of six Italian Mid-Century Modern dinning room chairs. The frame of each chair is made of a strong solid walnut structure with tapered legs. These feature original turquoise and ...
Walnut
$11,000 / set
H 30.71 in W 29.53 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Armchairs with Wooden Arm Details, Europe 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Mid-century modern, a design movement devoted to timeless functionalism, established itself in the post-war period with furniture that appealed to the senses. Furniture design was gu...
Wood, Fabric
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.
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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.