Artifort Seating
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.
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Fabric
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Fabric
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Fabric, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Mid-Century Modern Artifort Seating
Foam, Wood, Fabric
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Bouclé
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Fabric
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Wool
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Aluminum
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Fabric
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Space Age Artifort Seating
Chrome
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Artifort Seating
Steel
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Fabric
2010s Dutch Artifort Seating
Upholstery
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Artifort Seating
Leather, Fiberglass
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Artifort Seating
Iron
2010s Dutch Artifort Seating
Leather, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Artifort Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Artifort Seating
Fabric
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Fabric
1960s European Vintage Artifort Seating
Leather
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Chrome
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Steel, Chrome
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Artifort Seating
Chrome
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Sheepskin, Fabric, Wood
2010s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Artifort Seating
Fabric
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Steel
2010s Dutch Artifort Seating
Metal
2010s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Artifort Seating
Velvet
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Nickel
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Steel
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Alpaca, Polystyrene
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Artifort Seating
Textile
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Steel
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Chrome
1960s Dutch Vintage Artifort Seating
Fabric
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Velvet
2010s Dutch Artifort Seating
Leather, Fabric, Textile, Faux Leather
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Artifort Seating
Textile
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Steel
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Aluminum, Chrome
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Artifort Seating
Textile
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Steel
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artifort Seating
Metal, Aluminum
2010s Dutch Artifort Seating
Upholstery