Artist and furniture creator André Dubreuil rejected the label "designer” and dismissed the notion of form over function. He’s on record as having said, "if we were merely functionalists we would still be sitting on rocks." Dubreuil's passion was to catch a person's attention and hold it — he did that with outwardly sculptural chairs, wrought iron tables and other furnishings.
Though his works serve their intended function quite well, Dubreuil intentionally masked their purpose in favor of producing pieces that bring delight to the beholder — as exemplified in his Spine chair, created in 1986. Arabesque lines bring form to his work by way of an almost lace-like structure in slender, curving metal table frames and chair legs. It's art that bears a resemblance to furniture.
Originally from Lyon, France, Dubreuil came from a wealthy pharmaceutical and medical research family. He had a classical upbringing, surrounded by ornate furniture and lavish decor, and so became accustomed to the finer things in life.
As a teenager, he moved to London to study drawing and drafting at the Inchbald School of Design. Dubreuil became a painter and worked as an antiques dealer before he fell in love with decorating. In 1981, he opened a workshop — alongside three colleagues, including British furniture designer Tom Dixon — creating decorative furniture from salvaged pieces of scrap metal and automotive parts.
Dubreuil drew on the work of French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle and Louis XV-era furnishings as well as French Art Deco and Emilé-Jacques Ruhlmann. He eventually produced a body of work in patinated steel, copper, marble and colored glass for clients including Louis Vuitton and Chanel that would be just as much at home in an art gallery as it would be in a parlor or dining room.
Dubreuil passed away in 2022, leaving behind a magnificent array of furnishings that invite admiration and uplift any space.
Find vintage André Dubreuil tables, seating and lighting on 1stDibs.
$4,592 / item
Sculptural chairs by Yves Pagart
By André Dubreuil
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très jolie chaises zoomorphe par Yves Pagart, Nos chaises sont issues d’une édition limitée de 16. Elles sont signées, datées et numérotées. Elles sont e...
Metal
Early André Dubreuil Prototype Paris Chair from the Estate of the artist 1988
By André Dubreuil
Located in Uxbridge, GB
An exceptionally rare prototype Paris Chair by André Dubreuil, dating from 1988 and one of the first two examples made by the designer before the subsequent edition of twenty. This ...
Steel
Sculptural Solid Wood Chair by Mobius Objects
By Möbius Objects
Located in Calgary, AB
Complex yet functional joinery transcends trends making this piece a timeless addition to any interior decor. On it's own or as a set, a contemporary classic. One American Black ...
Wood, Walnut
Richard Schultz Prototype Aluminum Stacking Chair #1
By Richard Schultz
Located in New York, NY
Prototype stacking chair hand-built of an aluminum sheet and tubular aluminum by furniture designer and artist Richard Schultz as a full-size 3-D model exploring the ergonomic and sc...
Aluminum
Richard Schultz Prototype Aluminum Stacking Chair #2
By Richard Schultz
Located in New York, NY
Prototype stacking chair hand-built of aluminum by furniture designer and artist Richard Schultz as a full-size 3-D model exploring the ergonomic and sculptural qualities of a design...
Aluminum
Sculptural Concrete Chair by Merit, Los Angeles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic outdoor chair made of solid concrete and each with a perfect and unique patina. Round saucer seat with angular legs. Incredible modern design perfect for any outdoor space....
Concrete
Bonacina Sculptural Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant pair of rattan and bamboo chairs. Made in Italy. Very good vintage condition. Great scale.
Bamboo, Rattan
Pipo Chair by Piegatto, a Sculptural Contemporary Chair
Located in Guatemala, GU
Other Specifications: -Seating Height: 15.6" -Armrest Height: 25.1" -Chair made of 37 Laminated Plywood Birch sections from Nordic Forests. -Weight Capacity: 350 pounds. -Usage:...
Plywood
Set of 4 chairs, French craftsmanship from the 1950s
Located in MONTESSON, FR
This set of four chairs is a French piece from the 1950s. They are made from solid oak. The front legs, which are set slightly back from the apron, are adorned with fluting that echo...
Wood
Slipper Chair in the Style of André Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Slipper chair in the style of André Sornay. Handcrafted in Los Angeles in the workshop of noted French designer and antiques dealer Denis de le Mesiere, who pays homage to the work...
Brass
Martin Visser Modernist Prototype Chair SE20 Spectrum, 1988
By Martin Visser
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare prototype side chair designed by Martin Visser and manufactured by ’t Spectrum Bergeyk 1988. This chair is the pre production of model number SE20 and was eventually made in sev...
Plywood
$5,694
H 36.23 in W 24.81 in D 33.86 in
Andrè Dubreuil Ram Armchair in Iron and Red Velvet by Ceccotti 1990s
By Ceccotti, André Dubreuil
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Ram armchair with structure in gold-leaf lacquered iron rod, plywood seat in padded red fabric, designed by Andrè Dubreuil and produced by Ceccotti. The Ram armchair is an example ...
Iron
$7,795 / set
H 47 in W 31.5 in D 43 in
Set of 2 "Spine Chairs" in the Manner of Andre Dubreuil, United States, c. 1980s
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a set of hand-forged and welded sculptural wrought iron chairs designed and crafted after the iconic "Spine Chair" by Andre Dubreuil. Constructed from a frame of solid 1/...
Iron
Uma Chair by Piegatto, a Sculptural Contemporary Chair
Located in Guatemala, GU
Other Specifications: -Seating Height: 15.6" -Chair made of 32 Laminated Plywood Birch sections from Nordic Forests. -Weight Capacity: 350 pounds. -Usage: Indoors. Outdoor use on...
Plywood
Andre Dubreuil Paris Chair
By André Dubreuil
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example of this Classic Design. Torch welded spots and a Baroque form.
Steel
André Dubreuil Pair of Trevise Chairs with Ashanti Tapestry
By André Dubreuil
Located in Encino, CA
Andre Dubreuil pair of trevise chairs 1988 from a private collection, France André Dubreuil (b.1951) Rare pair of chairs, model « Trévise » France, 1988. Black lacquered Iron an...
Aluminum, Iron
Andre Dubreuil Iron "Spine Chair"
By André Dubreuil
Located in Stamford, CT
Andre Dubreuil iconic iron "Spine Chair".
Iron
Andre Dubreil Sculptural Iron Ram Chair for Ceccotti Collezioni
By André Dubreuil, Ceccotti
Located in Ferndale, MI
Beautifully formed iron chair in excellent original steel grey finish. Stamped Ceccotti Collezioni Designed by Andre Dubreil.
Wrought Iron
Sculptural Wrought Iron "Ram" Chair by André Dubreuil
By André Dubreuil
Located in Paris, FR
Wrought iron chair made of coilings. Fabric seat.
Wrought Iron
Andre Dubreuil Iron Spine Chair by Ceccotti
By André Dubreuil
Located in Dallas, TX
Powder coated iron spine chair by Andre Dubreuil. This chair was manufactured by Ceccotti in Italy. Great for indoor or outdoor use. The early Spine Chairs were fabricated in Dubreu...
Iron
Spine Chair by Andre Dubreuil
By André Dubreuil
Located in Pasadena, CA
Sculptural “Spine” chair by Andre Dubreuil, circa 1988. Newly powdercoated.
Andre Dubreuil Paris Chair
By André Dubreuil
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
One of the best Design's by Andre Dubeuil. A Zoomorphic form exhibiting Jewell-like details. Provenance: Richard Himmel, Chicago
Steel