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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
Wrought Iron and Comblanchien Limestone "Ruban" Coffee Table by Jean Royère
By Jean Royère
Located in New York City, NY
Impressive, refined "Ruban" coffee table by Jean Roye`re. The wrought iron and brass frame is quintessentially modern, an impressive feat given the table was designed in 1949. ...
Category

1940s French Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Limestone, Brass, Wrought Iron

Jean Royère, Plant Stand
By Jean Royère
Located in San Francisco, CA
A plant stand made of iron, with three spots for planters.
Category

1950s French Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Iron

'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

Jean Royere Coffee Table
By Jean Royère
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Modernist Art Deco coffee table by Jean Royere, 1937, in black rosewood and satinwood, made by Goufe. Documented. 47" long x 17" deep x 20" high. Wo...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Satinwood

Lamp
By Jean Royère
Located in Paris, FR
Table lamp "Cage" with eight braced branches in square section in gold-patinated iron.
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Iron

Jennifer Rutherford Biodegradable Sustainable Lamp by Glowdog in Bioplastic 3D
By Jean Royère
Located in London, GB
Jennifer Rutherford. “The distinctly feminine design of our Jennifer Rutherford lamp possesses an endearing elegance that oozes class into any room of the house. The gentle light that the lamp emits through its precisely sculpted grooves adds an enchanting indoor light after sunset. The fine textured shade is made with a plant-derived material that is biodegradable, reducing the lamp’s overall impact on the environment. It is a powerful piece of interior decoration that is sure to draw the eye of all who encounter it. Sharp Blossom The Sharp Blossom lamp is inspired by the spiralled petals of a budding flower. The unusual yet natural shape of this lamp causes light to be evenly distributed throughout any room that it is used in. It is a fascinating merge of classic and extremely contemporary styles. The lamp can be easily personalised to suit your interior, with three colours of base available as well as a clear or white lampshade. Blossom Delicately sculpted in the shape of a flower bud at the start of Spring, the Blossom lamp diffuses light in a unique manner thanks to the plant-derived bioplastic from which it is made. The shades take a total of over 10 hours to sculpt in our London factories, such is the intricacy of their design. This lamp is a beautiful physical embodiment of old and new entwined, offering a modern and nature-inspired twist on a classic design. Bloom Just as the Sharp Blossom draws inspiration from a flower’s initial blooming stages, the ridged twists of the Bloom lamp...
Category

2010s British Tulu Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Club Armchair
By Jean Royère
Located in Paris, FR
Club armchair circa 1937 with straight slanted back and full arms with rounded cuffs on a cubic sycamore corner base. Fully upholstered in a sand-colored fabric by Pierre Frey.
Category

1930s French Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Sycamore

Jean Royère Mahogany Credenza / Console
By Jean Royère
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Jean Royère mahogany Credenza cabinet console purchased at auction with integrated bar detail and impeccable pedigree.
Category

20th Century French Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Oak Dining Table with Extension Leaves by Jean Royere
By Jean Royère
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare French oak dining table designed by Jean Royere circa 1955 as part of his "Sculpture" series. It featured a dramatically rounded legs of solid oak and a removable top. The design of this series around 1955 as well as "Visiteur du soir" series were likely stemmed from an earlier series "Coin de repos pour L'hiver", presented in artists and decorators' pavilion, international exhibition, Paris, in 1937. The table is 62" wide without leaves and when fully extended it measures 102" in width. It can be used as a bespoken desk as well. Provenance: Originally purchased from Wright Auction Modern Design Sale October 3rd, 2004; Lot 250. Literature: De Beyrie, Catherine & Stephane. Jean Royère. 2001. pp 48-57. Jacques Lacoste...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Brass

'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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Contemporary Sculptural Sustainable Concrete Lamp by James Haywood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Erreur 404' 16" is a sculptural concrete lamp designed by London-based contemporary lighting designer James Haywood. It is created using low-impact c...
Category

2010s French Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Model 1518 Large Armchair in Pink Velour. Made at Fritz Hansen, 1930s–40s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Vejle Øst, DK
Armchair with stained beech legs. Seat, sides and deep stitched back upholstered in pink velour. Model 1518. Made at Fritz Hansen, 1930s–40s.
Category

1930s Danish Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Beech

Vintage French Wrought Iron Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930s, French wrought iron coffee table with glass top. Original distressed painted finish. Measurements: Height:...
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1930s French Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

  • Vintage French Wrought Iron Coffee Table
  • Vintage French Wrought Iron Coffee Table
  • Vintage French Wrought Iron Coffee Table
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H 16 in. W 53 in. D 37.5 in.
French Royere Style 1950s Plant Stand
Located in Sharon, CT
A plant stand that holds four small plants in style. Light blue over white paint. The holes are 4" in diameter.
Category

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

Materials

Steel

  • French Royere Style 1950s Plant Stand
  • French Royere Style 1950s Plant Stand
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H 37.75 in. W 17 in. D 17 in.
Jean-Michel Frank Style Goatskin Parchment Waterfall Coffee Table
By (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Naples, IT
Beautiful coffee table made of wood covered in goatskin parchment, with brass studs.
Category

1970s Italian Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Parchment Paper

Woodard Orleans Wrought Iron Coffee Table
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
1940s Woodard Orleans pattern cocktail or coffee table. As found black painted finish. Glass top is not included.
Category

1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

  • Woodard Orleans Wrought Iron Coffee Table
  • Woodard Orleans Wrought Iron Coffee Table
  • Woodard Orleans Wrought Iron Coffee Table
  • Woodard Orleans Wrought Iron Coffee Table
H 17 in. W 41 in. D 24.5 in.
Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Oak & Reupholstered in Bouclé Fabric France '40s
Located in Almelo, NL
Large size Art Deco lounge chairs manufactured and designed in France 1940s. Made of french oak and these lounge chair has just been reupholstered with Bouclé wool fabric. It is in p...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

The Bride Table Lamp - White
By Mammalampa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Design by Ieva Kaleja for "Mammalampa". The bride’s “dress” is created from paper presenting this traditional lamp material in an unusual solution. As light shines through the pape...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Latvian Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Metal

  • The Bride Table Lamp - White
  • The Bride Table Lamp - White
  • The Bride Table Lamp - White
  • The Bride Table Lamp - White
H 14 in. W 20 in. D 20 in.
Long 'Diagramme' Wrought Iron and Travertine Coffee Table by Design Frères
By Design Frères, Marc du Plantier, Paul Dupré-Lafon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Long 'Diagramme' wrought iron and travertine coffee table by Design Frères. Chic blackened wrought iron and polished raw travertine F...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Travertine, Wrought Iron

Wrought Iron and Glass Coffee Table
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wrought iron and glass coffee table, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Probably circa 1970, in the manner of Woodard, Salte...
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Late 20th Century American Art Deco Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Neoclassical Tole Painted Plant Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painted Neoclassical tole plant stand.
Category

20th Century Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Tôle

  • Neoclassical Tole Painted Plant Stand
  • Neoclassical Tole Painted Plant Stand
  • Neoclassical Tole Painted Plant Stand
  • Neoclassical Tole Painted Plant Stand
H 42 in. W 12 in. D 12 in.
Great Lamp in Pink Travertine by Barbier
By Maison Barbier
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1970s pink travertine lamp by Maison Barbier. France
Category

1970s French Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Previously Available Items
Art Deco Dining Table and 8 Chairs Jean Royere for Gouffe Paris
By Jean Royère, Maison Gouffé
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...
Category

1930s Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Jean Royère ‘Val D’or’ Coffee Table
By Jean Royère
Located in Kingston, NY
Jean Royère Val D’or coffee table with black Belgian marble top. The table has been repainted from red to black.  
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal

Solid Oak Art Deco Sideboard by Jean Royere for Maison Gouffé Paris, 1940s
By Maison Gouffé, Jean Royère
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...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Oak

Pair of "Trèfles" Armchairs
By Jean Royère
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of sycamore armchairs with cloverleaf back and curved tapered legs, covered with almond green mohair.
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Sycamore

  • Pair of "Trèfles" Armchairs
  • Pair of "Trèfles" Armchairs
  • Pair of "Trèfles" Armchairs
  • Pair of "Trèfles" Armchairs
H 32.29 in. W 23.63 in. D 22.45 in.
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...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Metal

Stool
By Jean Royère
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular seat stool covered with a sand-colored fabric by Pierre Frey. X-shaped legs in horn of plenty joined by a sycamore spacer.
Category

1930s French Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Sycamore

  • Stool
  • Stool
  • Stool
  • Stool
H 19.3 in. W 23.23 in. D 16.15 in.
Jean Royère Cheminees et Coins de Feu
By Jean Royère
Located in London, GB
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...
Category

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

Materials

Paper

  • Jean Royère Cheminees et Coins de Feu
  • Jean Royère Cheminees et Coins de Feu
  • 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...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of 1950s Iron High Back Armchairs Attributed to Jean Royère
By Jean Royère
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant 1950s pair of low slung armchairs attributed to Jean Royère. Delicate iron latticework has been repaired and repainted, reupholstered with an earthen brown linen. Measures:...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Jean Royere, Pair of Straw Marquetry Side Tables, circa 1950
By Jean Royère
Located in Paris, FR
A pair of square side tables in blond and brown straw marquetry, each with two tiers connected by brass struts with gold patina. Provenance: M. L-R., close collaborator to Jean Royer...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Jean Royère Furniture

Materials

Straw

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
  • 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 wood 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. We have 10 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Jean Royère were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Marc Held, Jean Touret, and Georges Tigien. Prices for Jean Royère furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £462 and can go as high as £97,143, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £50,796.

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