Skip to main content

Jean Royère Armchairs

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.

to
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
4
465
232
222
173
Creator: Jean Royère
'40s Jean Royère 'Sangle' Armchair in cotton and wood
'40s Jean Royère 'Sangle' Armchair in cotton and wood

'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 Armchairs

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Related Items
Pair of vintage 40s wood and fabric armchairs Italian design
Pair of vintage 40s wood and fabric armchairs Italian design

Pair of vintage 40s wood and fabric armchairs Italian design

$1,890Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 75 in W 63 in D 60 in

Pair of vintage 40s wood and fabric armchairs Italian design

Located in Torino, Piemonte

Pair of armchairs with wooden frame, green fabric cover and gold studs, Italian design, 1940s. CONDITION: In good condition, with signs of wear due to age. SIZING: Height 75 cm; wi...

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Brutalist Leather & Wood Armchairs in the style of Jean Gillon, 1960's
Pair of Brutalist Leather & Wood Armchairs in the style of Jean Gillon, 1960's

Pair of Brutalist Leather & Wood Armchairs in the style of Jean Gillon, 1960's

By Jean Gillon, Pierre Chapo, Carl Straub

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Pair of Brutalist Leather & Wood Armchairs in the style of Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960's The chairs are in good original as found condition. The leather is "cognac" in color and ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Robert Lewis Pair Steel Pipe Armchairs Hand Built Santa Barbara CA, 1930s/40s
Robert Lewis Pair Steel Pipe Armchairs Hand Built Santa Barbara CA, 1930s/40s

Robert Lewis Pair Steel Pipe Armchairs Hand Built Santa Barbara CA, 1930s/40s

By Robert Lewis

Located in Camden, ME

Pair of Robert Lewis steel pipe armchairs circa 1940 hand crafted in Santa Barbara, CA. . Classic outdoor chairs. The chairs are in very good condit...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Sculptural Armchairs, Solid Oak and Pure Alpaca Upholstery
Pair of Sculptural Armchairs, Solid Oak and Pure Alpaca Upholstery

Pair of Sculptural Armchairs, Solid Oak and Pure Alpaca Upholstery

$12,304 / set

H 35.04 in W 31.89 in D 31.5 in

Pair of Sculptural Armchairs, Solid Oak and Pure Alpaca Upholstery

By Jean Royère, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jacques Adnet, Jules Leleu

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

A pair of refined, organic armchairs, with a curved, sculptural form in solid oak and upholstered in a premium pure Alpaca fabric. Also available in COM. Fast shipping worldwide.

Category

2010s British Art Deco Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Alpaca, Oak

Louis XVI Armchair, Hand-Carved Oak, Green Velvet Upholstery, 1771
Louis XVI Armchair, Hand-Carved Oak, Green Velvet Upholstery, 1771

Louis XVI Armchair, Hand-Carved Oak, Green Velvet Upholstery, 1771

Located in Greding, DE

Louis XVI armchair made of solid oak with scroll-like armrests and carved scale and dentil friezes on the frame. The armchair rests on tapering fluted legs and is upholstered in gree...

Category

1770s European Louis XVI Antique Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Oak

"Mapá" Contemporary Armchair in Wood and Braided Straw with Raw Cotton Cushion
"Mapá" Contemporary Armchair in Wood and Braided Straw with Raw Cotton Cushion

"Mapá" Contemporary Armchair in Wood and Braided Straw with Raw Cotton Cushion

By Estúdio Orth

Located in Sao Paulo, BR

This contemporary armchair in wood and braided straw with raw cotton cushion was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficult, if not...

Category

2010s Brazilian Brutalist Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Straw

Antique Italian Armchair in Carved Wood and Leather
Antique Italian Armchair in Carved Wood and Leather

Antique Italian Armchair in Carved Wood and Leather

Located in San Francisco, CA

This style of chair is often referred to as a Dante or Savonarola chair, made of carved wood and heavy saddle leather. The frame is X- shaped and the chair is decorated with detailed carving across the rest arms, back and in the frontal center of the crossing legs. The leather on the back and seat are a cognac color. Upholstery nails and rosettes tacks embellish the leather chair. Statement chair...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Armchair in Red Velvet Upholstery
Mid-Century Armchair in Red Velvet Upholstery

Mid-Century Armchair in Red Velvet Upholstery

$1,500

H 29.14 in W 26.58 in D 26.97 in

Mid-Century Armchair in Red Velvet Upholstery

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Lounge chair, velvet, stained beech, Czech Republic, 1960s This well-proportioned armchair is clear in its appearance with angular shapes and striking lines dominating the layout. A...

Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Mid-Century Jean Prouvè All Wood Standard Armchair
Mid-Century Jean Prouvè All Wood Standard Armchair

Mid-Century Jean Prouvè All Wood Standard Armchair

By Jean Prouvé

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Jean Prouve standard chair in all wood for Ateliers Jean Prouvè 1941. A rare collectors piece.

Category

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

Materials

Wood

1970s, Scandinavian armchair, cotton/wool fabric, solid oak wood.
1970s, Scandinavian armchair, cotton/wool fabric, solid oak wood.

1970s, Scandinavian armchair, cotton/wool fabric, solid oak wood.

Located in Tarm, 82

1970s, Scandinavian armchair. Original green furniture cotton/wool fabric, solid oak wood, springs in the seat. Manufactured by Danish or Swedish furniture maker in about 1965-70s. O...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Wool, Oak

Mid-Century M. Zanuso Style Wooden and Fabric Armchair 50s Italy
Mid-Century M. Zanuso Style Wooden and Fabric Armchair 50s Italy

Mid-Century M. Zanuso Style Wooden and Fabric Armchair 50s Italy

$590Sale Price|58% Off

H 36.62 in W 25.2 in D 34.65 in

Mid-Century M. Zanuso Style Wooden and Fabric Armchair 50s Italy

By Marco Zanuso, Arflex

Located in Palermo, IT

Very beautiful armchair with wooden structure covered in checkered fabric, with wooden feet and brass tips. Italian production in the style of the "Lady" model by Marco Zanuso for Ar...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

18th Century Louis XV Armchairs, Oak & Velvet Upholstery, Europe
18th Century Louis XV Armchairs, Oak & Velvet Upholstery, Europe

18th Century Louis XV Armchairs, Oak & Velvet Upholstery, Europe

Located in Honnelles, WHT

Pair of Louis XV armchairs, 18th century “oak” carved wood, pretty velvet in good condition

Category

18th Century European Louis XV Antique Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Oak

Previously Available Items
Jean Royere Chair 1945, Original Condition
Jean Royere Chair 1945, Original Condition

Jean Royere Chair 1945, Original Condition

Sold

H 30.75 in W 21.1 in D 20.4 in

Jean Royere Chair 1945, Original Condition

By Jean Royère

Located in Encino, CA

Jean Royere ( 1902 - 1981 ) Authentic Original Beechwood chair 1945, Model "Croisillon" H.30"3/4 x W.21"1/8 x D.20"3/8 Original condition ...

Category

1940s French Vintage Jean Royère Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Jean Royère armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Jean Royère armchairs 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 armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs 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 armchairs by Jean Prouvé, Paul Follot, and Maxime Old. Prices for Jean Royère armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,137 and can go as high as $115,367, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $11,095.