A favorite among Art Deco furniture collectors and enthusiasts, the work of Charles Dudouyt is known for its rustic and modernist sensibilities rather than the classicist design associated with the French designer and decorator's native country in the early 20th century.
Born in 1885, Dudouyt nurtured his artistic passions while studying at the Germain Pilon school. Upon graduating, he painted and earned a living as an illustrator at French publishing houses such as Calmann-Lévy and a weekly satirical magazine called L’Assiette au Beurre.
In 1918, after he returned from fighting in World War I, Dudouyt left his career as a painter and illustrator and turned to design interior furnishings instead. With his wife, he created and produced lighting fixtures and decorative objects, and in 1920, he founded a rustic furniture factory in Pontoise called L’Abeillée.
Over the next decade, Dudouyt expanded into larger-scale furniture design. In 1933, he moved to Paris and established a manufacturing company called La Gentilhommière, in which he had a store and a workshop. There, he produced a range of furniture, including chairs, cabinets, armchairs and credenzas. Dudouyt worked with a variety of woods that included oak, ash and beech, and integrated other organic materials in his seats and backrests such as leather, wicker and rope.
Dudouyt is known for his way of “embellishing chunky proportions with elegant carvings,” according to Amanda Jesse and Whitney Parris-Lamb of New York City design firm Jesse Paris-Lamb. Vintage Dudouyt sideboards, console tables and seating feature the distinct details now associated with Art Deco, such as geometric inlays, pronounced shapes and raised carved motifs. His oak dining chairs, while lauded for their substantial frames and durability, can also be seen as inviting and light in their sleek legs and armrests.
After he died in 1946, Dudouyt’s son Jacques continued operating La Gentilhommière until it closed in 1960. Today, Charles Dudouyt’s pieces continue to be highly sought by Art Deco interior designers and aficionados.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Charles Dudouyt furniture.
Charles Dudouyt Pair of 1940s Oak and Woven Lounge Chairs
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning pair of 1940's French oak and woven armchairs by Charles Dudouyt. Beautiful carved wood detail throughout with intricately woven tan and green papercord seat. Adjustable sla...
Papercord, Oak
$4,410 / set
H 33.08 in W 25.99 in D 20.48 in
Charles Dudouyt Patinated Oak and Rush Armchairs, France 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Almelo, NL
Charles Dudouyt Patinated Oak and Rush Armchairs, France 1940s These fine armchairs were designed by the renowned French furniture maker Charles Dudouyt in the 1940s and are excepti...
Rush, Oak
$4,563 / set
H 32.68 in W 25.2 in D 22.45 in
Pair of Charles Dudouyt French Oak and Rush Armchairs C1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Trensacq, FR
Fabulous and increasingly rare pair of French Oak & Rush Armchairs by Charles Dudouyt C1940s France A striking pair of chairs showcasing exceptional design and craftsmanship. Crafte...
Rush, Oak
$382
H 27.56 in W 18.31 in D 16.93 in
Oak & Straw Fireside Chair in the Manner of Charles Dudouyt, French, C. 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in London, GB
A charming turned oak and straw low chair very much in the manner of Charles Dudouyt. French, c. 1940s.
Straw, Oak
$7,450 / set
H 33.86 in W 26.78 in D 26.19 in
Charles Dudouyt Pair of Art Deco Lounge Chairs with Rush Seat
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Charles Dudouyt, pair of lounge chairs, poplar, ash, beech, rush, France, 1940s Decorative lounge chairs by Charles Dudouyt. The frame features multiple carved details that contribu...
Rope, Ash, Beech
$6,600 / set
H 31 in W 27.75 in D 33 in
Danish Pair 1940s Lounge Chairs with Carved Oak Armrests and Scalloped Backrests
By Mogens Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s pair of lounge chairs late Art Deco style with sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a smaller space in need of a ...
Beech, Wool
$3,780 / set
H 33.86 in W 25.2 in D 32.29 in
Pair of Danish Art Deco Lounge Chairs, Oak & Vibrant Flora Fabric, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
Such a beautiful and decadent pair of curved Art Deco lounge chairs, with armrests and chunky feets in oak, made in the 1930s by a Danish cabinetmaker. Upholstered in a vibrant flowe...
Walnut, Fabric, Oak
$1,863 / set
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Vintage Oak and Wicker Chairs by Charles Dudouyt, 1940s Mid-Century
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Transporting us to 1940s France, the exquisite set of vintage oak and wicker chairs designed by renowned artist Charles Dudouyt invites us to relive the charm and elegance of a bygon...
Wicker, Wood
Sculptural Lounge Chair in Solid Oak 1940s
Located in Meer, VAN
Sculptural Lounge Chair in Solid Oak, Europe, 1940s. Truly wonderful large lounge chair in solid oak with a very distinct sculptural design. As an early mid century modernist piece ...
Fabric, Oak
$2,393 / set
H 27.17 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Charles Dudouyt, French decorator, set of 4 low chairs, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in leucate, FR
4 French design armchairs. These armchairs were designed by designer Charles Dudouyt in the 1930s. They are made up of a solid oak structure and a seat in woven rye straw. The wood ...
Straw, Oak
$6,613 / set
H 33.47 in W 28.35 in D 35.44 in
Danish Cabinetmaker, pair of Lounge Chairs Lambswool, 1940s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Danish cabinetmaker pair of lounge chairs new upholstered with lambswool. Legs of stained beech. Made in the 1940s.
Sheepskin
Pair of 1940s Swedish Lounge Chairs
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Pair of 1940s Swedish Lounge chairs. Elegant beechwood frames. Vintage Upholstery. Warm patina. .
Upholstery, Beech
$7,420 / set
H 35.04 in W 18.9 in D 15.75 in
Rare Set of Six Charles Dudouyt Brutalist Oak & Rope Dining Chairs, France 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Almelo, NL
A rare and architecturally powerful set of six Brutalist dining chairs attributed to Charles Dudouyt, France, 1940s. Executed in solid oak with hand-woven rope seats, featuring monum...
Rope, Oak
1940's Oak and Woven Lounge Chair by Charles Dudouyt
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 1940's French oak and woven armchair by Charles Dudouyt. Beautiful carved wood detail throughout with intricately woven papercord seat. Adjustable slat back folds forward on...
Papercord, Oak
Pair of Art Deco Chairs by Charles Dudouyt, France, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of armed lounge chairs in the Art Deco style by collectible designer Charles Dudouyt. Well-crafted hardwood frames sport a woven rush seat. Ready for the addition of a custom ba...
Rush, Hardwood
Pair of Charles Dudouyt Oak and Papercord Arm Chairs
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Dark Oak and Papercord "Fire Side" Arm Chairs, with low seats and beautifully carved frames.. In original condition with visible wear and patina, including loose and broken p...
Oak, Papercord
Charles Dudouyt Chairs
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic pair of Charles Dudouyt chairs with newly rushed seats, carved oak legs and sphere details. Privoting back with wonderful patina to wood. W 26 1/4” D 25 3/4” H 34 1...
Rush, Oak
Charles Dudouyt Lounge Chairs
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic pair of Charles Dudouyt chairs with low rushed seats and beautiful carved oak Scalloped carved edges throughout the chairs with ornate detail.
Rush, Oak