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.
Postmodern Side Chair "Nina" by Rene Holten for Artifort
By Artifort, Rene Holten
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a stunning, sculptural postmodern Side Chair "Nina". This chair which with its shape reminds us of Saturn with its ring, which how it earned its nicknam...
Steel
$1,954 / set
H 31.5 in W 17.33 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Fibreglass Side Chairs by Rene Jean Caillette, France 1950s
By Sedia-Steiner
Located in London, GB
A rare set of 2 fibreglass chairs by Rene Jean Caillette. Brown background and multicolour floral pattern. Designed and produced in France between 1950-1959. René-Jean Caillet...
Steel
$762Sale Price|19% Off
H 31.11 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
Artifort Nina Chair Designed by René Holten in STOCK
By Rene Holten, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
one chair A contemporary, luxurious design. Elegant and comfortable. For meeting rooms and dining rooms. The rounded, well-fitted back makes the chair comfortable as active seating ...
Fabric
$1,850
H 34.25 in W 18 in D 15.75 in
Italian Designer Postmodern Black Lacquer Wood and Leather Side Chair
By Calligaris
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and chic Italian modern style or Postmodern period black lacquer wood and leather side or desk chair(s), circa late 2...
Leather, Wood
$1,250
H 38.88 in W 17.25 in D 18.75 in
Postmodern Sculptural Studio Crafted Steel Dining or Side Chair, 1990s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern artist designed contemporary welded steel dining, side or desk chair from the 1990s.
Steel
$5,800Sale Price|28% Off
H 29 in W 121.6 in D 32.7 in
Artifort Mare Leather Sofa by René Holten in Stock
By Artifort, Rene Holten
Located in New York, NY
Mare sectional 121.6"x32.7" upholstered in Ohmann #1614 Cool Gray polished stainless steel legs: 2x FC 112 End unit right facing 138 cm (54.3") w 2x FC 105 Intermediate element ...
Leather
Customizable Artifort Ondo Sofa by René Holten
By Artifort, Rene Holten
Located in New York, NY
Rising from the arm, the seat and back fuse together into the other arm. Simple principles provide the best design for a comfortable sofa. A sparse supporting frame allows the seat a...
Textile
Pair of Italian Postmodern Chrome and Black Side Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of chromed and bent steel Postmodern Italian side chairs. Multiple bars of chromed steel with thin chromed steel spacers. Each bar is significant to the design of the chair, mak...
Chrome, Steel
Customizable Artifort Ondo Sofa by René Holten
By Artifort, Rene Holten
Located in New York, NY
Rising from the arm, the seat and back fuse together into the other arm. Simple principles provide the best design for a comfortable sofa. A sparse supporting frame allows the seat a...
Textile
$750Sale Price|40% Off
H 34.5 in W 18 in D 18 in
Postmodern Leather BOBO Easy Chair by Dietmar Sharping
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Postmodern black leather Bobo easy chair. Bobo was designed by German architect Dietmar Scharping in the early 1990s to fill the need for sculptural seating program that would look ...
Leather
$1,348
H 28.75 in W 18.71 in D 18.9 in
Postmodern Blue Vintage Chair by Philippe Starck 1980s for Kartell Italy
By Philippe Starck
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern light blue vintage chair was designed by Philippe Starck in the 1980s and executed by Kartell Italy. The chair shows grey lacquered tube ...
Plastic
Customizable Artifort Ondo Sofa by René Holten
By Rene Holten, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Rising from the arm, the seat and back fuse together into the other arm. Simple principles provide the best design for a comfortable sofa. A sparse supporting frame allows the seat a...
Textile
$1,457Sale Price|25% Off
H 34.26 in W 17.72 in D 21.26 in
Postmodern Handmade Geometrical Solid Beech and Walnut Side Chair, Italy 1980s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Handmade in Italy, 1980s. This chair features a solid beech and walnut frame. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in very...
Beech, Walnut
2er Set Little tulip Sessel Artifort Pierre Paulin 1970 schwarz
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten zwei wunderschöne Sessel vom niederländischen Traditionshersteller "Artifort" aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Pierre Paulin, wobei sie in dies...
Fabric
Pierre Paulin, Little Tulip chair, Artifort, 1960
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
Little Tulip chair (originally known as the F163), designed in the 1960s by Pierre Paulin. The Artifort Tulip collection remains a true Mid-Century Modern icon. A perfect fusion of e...
Metal, Chrome
Beige Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Mid-Century Modern
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Astoria, NY
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Beige Upholstered Ribbon Chair, with Turner Ltd label to the underside, mounted on painted wood and mirrored base. 28" H x 39" W x 29" D; seat: 15" H. Prov...
Steel
Sold
H 25.2 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Magenta red Pierre Paulin tongue side chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort 1967
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Playful Pierre Paulin tongue chair covered in a bright red fabric with a magenta touch. It was designed in 1967 and produced by Artifort, an expressive and timeless design that was i...
Metal
Sold
H 38.19 in W 32.29 in D 27.56 in
Pierre Paulin F444 Leather Lounge Chair Artifort, Holland, 1970s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pierre Paulin; F444; Lounge Chair; Artifort; 1970s; Netherlands; Holland; Cognac; Leather; Metal Frame; Easy Chair; Armchair; Lounge chair model F444 in dark cognac leather, designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort in Holland in the 1970s. The solid metal frame gives a nice contrast to the cognac leather. A sturdy and streamlined design with an angled open seat. In good original condition, with a beautiful patina on the saddle leather. A very comfortable chair, perfect for lounging. Pierre Paulin was most famous for his innovative designs during the 1960s when he worked for Artifort. His most famed chair...
Metal
Sold
H 29.93 in W 26.78 in L 29.93 in
Set of Two Pierre Paulin Orange "Tulip" Swivel Chairs for Artifort, 1980s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Great Luxury swivel chairs of Pierre Paulin. the Tulip chair has an inviting appearance for a relaxed sitting with a nice intens orange in original condition. The Artifort Tulip loun...
Metal, Chrome
Little Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort First Edition
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
The first edition of the little tulip chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1963. Newly upholstered with Yellow Dedar bouclette fabric. Label is pr...
Metal
Orange Slice Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Uccle, BE
The orange slice chair by Pierre Paulin edited by Artifort (The Netherlands) This version is lower that the current production as ...
Steel
Theo Ruth Congo Chair in Green Velvet
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in London, GB
This eye-catching chair designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort cuts a really pleasing profile. Ruth joined Artifort in 1936 as a skilled furniture maker working across their entire range...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 29.14 in D 24.02 in
1965, Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Early Original Base and Blue Fabric
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Blue tulip artifort. The upholstery has traces of wear like some color difference and from usage over the years and has some little damage (see picture #6, #8 and #9 under the seat) ...
Metal
Artifort Lounge Chairs with Mahogany Cube Frame
By Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome cubical mahogany framed Artifort lounge chairs with new bone white upholstery. Deep, rich wood frames. Other colors available, up to 12 available.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 22.45 in W 32.29 in D 28.35 in
1963, Pierre Paulin, F303 Lounge Chair in Red with Upholstery for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Fabric, Upholstery, Fiberglass