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Jean Royère Furniture

French, 1902-1981

World traveler, polyglot and avant-garde visionary Jean Royère (1902–81) is one of the biggest names in French mid-century design. He was fascinated by different materials, such as raffia and zebrawood, and aesthetics from around the world, from Scandinavian modernism to the traditions of the Middle East. Owing to this venturesome spirit, Royère produced an eclectic body of work that truly doesn’t fit a singular style. One light fixture might have organic shapes reminiscent of Art Nouveau, while a table would be crafted with minimalist straw marquetry.

Born in Paris, Royère studied classics at Cambridge University and then worked for an import-export company. In 1931, he switched gears to design, studying cabinetmaking in the workshops of Faubourg Saint-Antoine and furniture making under the tutelage of Pierre Gouffé. He made his debut in interior design in 1934 when he won a design contest for the brasserie in the Hotel Carlton on the Champs-Élysées.

Royère’s most famous piece of furniture was his biomorphic Boule sofa, sometimes playfully called the Ours Polaire, or Polar Bear. Designed for his mother in 1947, the curved sofa with its fuzzy white velvet shocked the French interior design world when it was displayed at the Art et Industrie exhibition, but it proved enduringly popular with customers, such as the Shah of Iran, who purchased several for his daughter. Royère would continue to design furniture and interiors for an elite clientele, including the kings of Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Royère retired in 1972, then moved to the United States in 1980. After he died a year later, his archives were given to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. His works continue to be highly coveted — Kanye West, for instance, once tweeted that the Polar Bear sofa is his favorite piece of furniture. In 2016, Galerie Patrick Seguin in Paris opened a retrospective of his distinctive designs, from the plush 1943 Eléphanteau chair to the 1963 Tour Eiffel table with its elegant metal supports.

Find vintage Jean Royère tables, storage cabinets and other furniture today on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Jean Royère
Two-arms Tour Eiffel wall light in black painted and gilt metal
By Jean Royère
Located in Soho, London, GB
Jean ROYERE (1902-1981) Two-arm Tour Eiffel wall light in black painted and gilt metal. Circa 1950. Dimensions with lampshades: H 48 x W 85 x D 31 cm Dimensions without lampshades:...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Metal

Jean Royere Book by Catherine and Stephane de Beyrie and Jacques Ouaiss
By Jean Royère
Located in New York, NY
Book with stiff pictorial wrappers showcasing the work of renowned French designer Jean Royere, with many of the designs in this collection originating from Lebanese commissions. Pub...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair of 3-Branch "Bouquet" sconces
By Jean Royère
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1948, this pair of iconic three-branch sconces embodies Jean Royere's lightness of touch and interest in lively, organic form. Like a whimsical bunch of tulips, each slen...
Category

1940s French Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Steel, Gold Leaf

Jean Royere: Exposition (Galerie Jacques Lacoste)
By Jean Royère
Located in New York, NY
Catalog published in conjunction with an exhibition of the works of Jean Royere held at the Jacques Lacoste Gallery in Paris from 25 May-2 July 1999. Lacoste was, and is, a passionat...
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair of 'Ondulation' stools by Jean Royère
By Jean Royère
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of 'Ondulation' stools by Jean Royère. Made in tubular brass, brass, fabric. Jean Royère took on the mantle of the great artistes décorateurs of 1940s France and ran with it int...
Category

1950s French Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Brass

Royere Gouffe Cerused Oak Daybed Deco, France, 1930s-1940s Midcentury
By Jean Royère, Maison Gouffé
Located in New York, NY
Royere Gouffe cerused oak daybed deco, France, 1930s-1940s midcentury Amazing rare pair of daybeds designed by Royere and made by Maison Gouffe. In...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Oak

'40s Jean Royère 'Sangle' Armchair in cotton and wood
By Jean Royère
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Royère 'Sangle' armchair 1946 Wood, cotton Measures: 81 x 53 x 55 cm
Category

1940s French Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Wood

'50s Jean Royère 'Ours Polaire' Armchair in Oak and Velvet Upholstery
By Jean Royère
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Royère 'Ours polaire' armchair 1950 Oak and velvet upholstery
Category

1950s European Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Oak

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Guillerme et Chambron French Midcentury Oak Daybed '2'
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21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Jean Royère Furniture

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Wall Light in Blue Metal and Brass Detailing
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall light, texturised metal, brass, Europe, 1950s Attractive wall light in blue metal with brass detailing. The hood of this wall lamp has a very elegant curve. This small light produces a strong and bright light, perfect for a reading nook...
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Wall Light in Blue Metal and Brass Detailing
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1940s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

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Oak Night Stands 1940s Holland
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Jean Royere by Jacques Lacoste & Patrick Seguin (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
In 1931, aged 29, Jean Royère (1902-1981) resigned from a comfortable position in the import-export trade in order to set up business as an interior designer. He learnt his new trade in the cabinetmaking workshops of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine in Paris. In 1934, he designed the new layout of the Brasserie Carlton on the Champs Elysées and found immediate success, embarking upon an international career that was to endure for nearly half a century. Royère tackled all kinds of decoration work and opened branches in the Near East and Latin America; among his patrons were King Farouk, King Hussein...
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20th Century Jean Royère Furniture

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Paper

Jean Royere by Jacques Lacoste & Patrick Seguin (Book)
Jean Royere by Jacques Lacoste & Patrick Seguin (Book)
On Hold
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Art Deco Amsterdam School Nightstands pair in oak and glass, 1930s Netherlands
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of Art Deco bedside tables or nightstands in the style of the Amsterdam School, Netherlands, 1930s. Solid oak bases with ebonized details and glass tops. All in very good origin...
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1930s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

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Glass, Oak

A pair of French cerused oak twin beds, C. 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Each bed features a gently aged finish that highlights the natural grain of the wood in the simple headboards, along with the clean, understated lines of the triple paneled footboard...
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Early 20th Century French Jean Royère Furniture

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Oak

A pair of French cerused oak twin beds, C. 1940.
A pair of French cerused oak twin beds, C. 1940.
$3,295 / set
H 30 in W 36.75 in D 78 in
Versailles The Hidden Splendors of Sun King’s Palace Book by Catherine Pégard
Located in New York, NY
Versailles The Great and Hidden Splendors of the Sun King’s Palace By: Catherine Pégard Photographs by Christophe Fouin, Thomas Garnier, Christian Miles, and Didier Saulnier Versail...
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21st Century and Contemporary Jean Royère Furniture

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Paper

Pair of Hollywood Regency Gilt Holy Leaf Bouquet Themed Sconces, c. 1965
By Underwriters Laboratories
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautiful pair of professionally restored 1960s Hollywood Regency sconces featuring gilt holy leaf bouquets set upon a single light brass wall mount. The sort of "wow" light fixture ...
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1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Gold

Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
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Located in Dronten, NL
Tabouret No. 307 in oak with tubular steel legs, designed by Jean Prouvé in 1951. Marked with Vitra label. Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) was a French architect, designer, and builder, ren...
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1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

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Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
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H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Gray Shearling 'Strapontin' Stools by Design Frères
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Pair of chic gray shearling 'Strapontin' stools by Design Frères. Matte black steel base with grey shearling upholstered seats.
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21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Jean Royère Furniture

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Art Deco King Size French Walnut Bed, circa 1930s
Located in Devon, England
Superb and extremely glamorous 1930s Art Deco bed. Originating from France this bed boasts the most wonderful veneers. Totally original and having ...
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Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Jean Royère Furniture

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Art Deco King Size French Walnut Bed, circa 1930s
Art Deco King Size French Walnut Bed, circa 1930s
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H 44.89 in W 59.06 in D 74.02 in
Previously Available Items
Upholstered Lounge Chair with Elm Legs
By Jean Royère
Located in New York City, NY
Two available; priced individually. Newly upholstered lounge chairs by Jean Royere.
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Mid-20th Century French Jean Royère Furniture

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Rare Pair Nickel Jean Royere Coat Hooks Racks Hangers Mid-Century French 1950s
By Jean Royère
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This rare pair of Mid-Century nickel-plated coat hooks by avant-garde French designer Jean Royère are incredibly stylish and functional. Born in Paris, Jean Royère (1902-1981) made an international reputation as designer of luxury interiors in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America in the jet-setting 50s and 60s. Both coat hooks are stamped verso with J R DEPOSE. The coat hooks are beautifully sculpted from squared nickel-plated steel, which gives them a very Modernist look. The top hook features a knop, which appears as though it’s just balancing on top of the square section of steel. The lower hook has a broad curved arm so is perfect for jackets, causing minimal stress to your coats or hat! We have two sets of Jean Royère coat hooks...
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Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Furniture

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Cut Steel, Nickel

Pair of lamps Zig Zag by Jean Royere restored
By Jean Royère
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Pair of "Zig Zag" table lamps in the style of Jean Royère (1902-1981) circa late 1940s. Curved steel tubing, black relacquered, new wiring, cable, standard E27 screw sockets and swi...
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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Furniture

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Iron

Pair of Jean Royère Adjustable Iron Floor Lamp 1940
By Jean Royère
Located in Benington, Herts
A Matched Pair of Jean Royère adjustable Iron standing Floor Lamp France Paris circa 1940’s Both in wonderful original condition by one of the most sought after mid 20th century Fr...
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1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

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Jean Royère Adjustable Iron Floor Lamp 1940
By Jean Royère
Located in Benington, Herts
Jean Royère adjustable Iron standing Floor Lamp France Paris circa 1940’s In wonderful original condition by one of the most sought after mid 20th century French furniture...
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1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

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Iron

Art Deco Dining Table and 8 Chairs Jean Royere for Gouffe Paris
By Maison Gouffé, Jean Royère
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A very large dining table and eight dining chairs designed, and produced in Paris in the 1930’s, by Gouffe cabinetmakers this is where Jean Royere learnt his trade. The table will se...
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1930s Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

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Solid Oak Art Deco Sideboard by Jean Royere for Maison Gouffé Paris, 1940s
By Jean Royère, Maison Gouffé
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Vintage solid oak Art Deco sideboard by Jean Royere for maison Gouffé Paris, 1940. Two pannelend doors, in the middle 3 drawers with beautiful bronze handles underneath a curved nich...
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1940s French Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

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Oak

Jean Royère Adjustable Iron Floor Lamp, 1940
By Jean Royère
Located in Benington, Herts
Jean Royère adjustable Iron standing Floor Lamp France Paris circa 1940’s In wonderful original condition by one of the most sought after mid 20th century French furniture...
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1940s French Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

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Iron

Jean Royère Serving Trolley Gilded Metal Mirrored Glass, 1950
By Jean Royère
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare serving trolley by Jean Royère in gilded iron with mirrored glass made circa 1950. Glittering in an antiqued gold gilt finish, this iron craft bar cart adds a glam twist which m...
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1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

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Metal

Jean Royère Cheminees et Coins de Feu
By Jean Royère
Located in CA, CA
Jean Royère Cheminees et Coins de Feu Edition d'Art Charles Moreau, Paris 1950. First Edition. Illustrated paper covered boards with cloth spine. Folio with a suite 42 of loose photographic plates as issued in portfolio. with cloth spine. 42 black and white photographic plates of various fireplaces designed by A. Bernard, Roger Berthier, Leleu, Jacques Mottheau...
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Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Furniture

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Paper

Jean Royère Cheminees et Coins de Feu
Jean Royère Cheminees et Coins de Feu
H 13.19 in W 10.04 in D 0.79 in
Jean Royère, Four-Branched "Boquet" Wall Lamp, Gilded Metal, France, circa 1950
By Jean Royère
Located in High Point, NC
A master of many mediums, few of Jean Royère's works are more iconic than his imaginative, organically shaped, and often colorful lamps. Bearing it's original gilded metal, this lamp has an elegant yet playful expression. Provenance: 1950 Gallery...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Metal

Jean Royère, Daybed, circa 1930
By Jean Royère
Located in New York, NY
Jean Royère, daybed, circa 1930 Wood, linen. Great original condition, the upholstery was redone few years ago. Jean Royère (1902-1981) Born in Paris, Jean Royère made an international reputation as designer of luxury interiors in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America in the jet setting 50s and 60s. Eschewing the mass production mindset of contemporary design, Royère dedicated himself to the creation of lively and spacious rooms for leisure and play, envisioning each of his plush sofas and freeform coffee tables as a singular contribution his total effect. Favoring jewel tones, richly polished wood and curvaceous, vegetal forms, Royère created vibrant spaces, which encourage movement and interaction; appropriate to settings for sophisticated entertaining and recreation. Though declaring himself "against furniture," Royère designed influential pieces, which have gained attention in the succeeding decades. Considering ornamentation ephemeral and subject to the winds of fashion Royère concentrated on shape and volume; making pieces in fabric, metal and wood which carved space or filled the air with their strong forms and lines. His Tour Eiffel lamps...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood

Jean Royère, Daybed, circa 1930
Jean Royère, Daybed, circa 1930
H 28 in W 84 in D 36.5 in

Jean Royère furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Jean Royère furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jean Royère furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Jean Touret, Marc Held, and Philippe Cheverny. Prices for Jean Royère furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $445 and can go as high as $33,203, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,378.
Questions About Jean Royère Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024
    What a fancy armchair is called depends on its design. Here are some of the most common types of fancy armchairs: An armchair with an exposed, elaborately carved wood frame and a deep seat is a bergère, while one that has a tall back that wraps inwards is a wingback chair. A balloon chair is an ornate, dramatic armchair with a soaring back that forms a half dome at the top. Chesterfield is the name for a boxy armchair with a low, rolled back that continues along the sides, forming arms. Explore a wide variety of armchairs on 1stDibs.

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