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.
Rocking Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort
By Artifort, Geoffrey D. Harcourt
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very comfortable Rocking Chair, manufactured by Artifort and designed by Geoffrey Harcourt in the 60's. This particular chair is manufactured around 2015. The fabric and the foam ...
Steel
$6,948
H 25.99 in W 75.6 in D 35.83 in
Geoffrey Harcourt's Iconic 1970s Cleopatra Chaise Lounge by Artifort
By Artifort, Geoffrey D. Harcourt
Located in Hilversum, NL
Inspired by the timeless concept of the chaise longue, Geoffrey Harcourt's interpretation from 1970 stands as a testament to modern design. Known as the Cleopatra, this unique Dutch...
Wool
$4,375
H 29.93 in W 26.38 in D 29.14 in
Artifort F 506 Lounge Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI in STOCK
By Geoffrey D. Harcourt, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered in Baru (GG) 0950 Powdercoat colour P51 Khaki Grey RAL 7008 (Fine texture) F506 Design by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI Inspired by modernist aesthetics, the mid-size F506 ar...
Fabric
$3,955 / item
H 29.93 in W 26.38 in D 29.14 in
Customizable Artifort F504 Lounge Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt
By Geoffrey D. Harcourt
Located in New York, NY
F504 Design by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI Inspired by modernist aesthetics, the mid-size F504 armchair harmonises flowing curves with sleek lines, creating an invitingly generous and ...
Upholstery
Geoffrey Harcourt High Back Executive Chair for Artifort
By Geoffrey Harcourt, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Dutch manufacturer Artifort, this high back executive rolling chair features horizontally channeled black skai upholstery across both the tall backr...
Aluminum
$5,438 / item
H 32.29 in W 32.29 in D 33.47 in
Customizable Artifort F511 Low Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
By Geoffrey D. Harcourt, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
In 1967, Harcourt designed a series of swivel armchairs with trumpet bases, based on a shellshaped template. The shell is large enough to curl up in and is the paragon of his philosophy that “the chair should focus on the person, and not the other way around.” To begin with, there are different versions of the chair for men...
Textile
$6,860 / item
H 37.41 in W 36.23 in D 36.23 in
Customizable Artifort F587 Swivel High Lounge Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
By Artifort, Geoffrey D. Harcourt
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting leather We cherish an armchair with such a clear Artifort signature as the F500 series. Such a classic armchair is part of our collection and is therefore s...
Leather
$5,173 / item
H 38.59 in W 38.59 in D 38.59 in
Customizable Artifort F585 High Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
By Artifort, Geoffrey D. Harcourt
Located in New York, NY
In 1967, Harcourt designed a series of swivel armchairs with trumpet bases, based on a shellshaped template. The shell is large enough to curl up in and is the paragon of his philosophy that “the chair should focus on the person, and not the other way around.” To begin with, there are different versions of the chair for men...
Textile
$8,399 / item
H 25.99 in W 75.6 in D 35.83 in
Customizable Artifort Cleopatra Chaise Lounge by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
By Geoffrey D. Harcourt, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Countless designers have been inspired by the IDEA behind the chaise lounge. Here is the interpretation of Geoffrey Harcourt from 1970. A perfect seat on which to stretch out and unw...
Textile
Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort F588 Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Geoffrey Harcourt, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two Geoffrey Harcourt F588 Swivel Lounge Chairs for Artifort, 1967 Designed in 1967 by acclaimed British designer Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, the F588 swivel chair is a celebrat...
Metal
$4,076 / item
H 36.62 in W 32.29 in D 26.78 in
Customizable Artifort F156 Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
By Artifort, Geoffrey D. Harcourt
Located in New York, NY
A luxury chair for day-dreaming, relaxing or holding a conversation. It also has an optional footstool for even more comfort. Available in two versions, both with armrests. The chair...
Textile
$4,297 / item
H 33.86 in W 33.86 in D 26.78 in
Customizable Artifort F142 Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
By Artifort, Geoffrey D. Harcourt
Located in New York, NY
A luxury chair for day-dreaming, relaxing or holding a conversation. It also has an optional footstool for even more comfort. Available in two versions, both with armrests. The chair...
Textile
$5,173 / item
H 38.59 in W 38.59 in D 38.59 in
Customizable Artifort F585 High Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
By Artifort, Geoffrey D. Harcourt
Located in New York, NY
In 1967, Harcourt designed a series of swivel armchairs with trumpet bases, based on a shellshaped template. The shell is large enough to curl up in and is the paragon of his philosophy that “the chair should focus on the person, and not the other way around.” To begin with, there are different versions of the chair for men...
Textile