Mobilier International Chairs
Mobilier International was a prominent French furniture company that produced high-end pieces for the French market in the latter half of the 20th century. The company’s mid-century modern offerings boasted a relaxed and functional elegance. Known mainly for its leather lounge chairs and chaise lounges, Mobilier International also distributed pieces like cocktail tables and writing desks.
The story of Mobilier International began in 1955, when Michel Schulmann established Arflex France to import Italian Arflex furniture and SICAF to import Scandinavian and other Italian designs. In 1957, Shulman set up Mobilier International to bring the whole collection together under a single brand.
One of the company’s first significant imports was in 1959 with the Superleggera chair by Italian designer Gio Ponti. That same year, Mobilier International signed a contract to manufacture and sell Herman Miller furniture. The company had established itself as one of the few to offer mid-to-high-end modern furniture in France.
Throughout the 1960s, Mobilier International opened several manufacturing facilities. The company also introduced many now iconic designs, including Marco Zanuso’s Woodline armchair and the DSC 106 chair by Giancarlo Piretti. In 1968 alone, Mobilier International ordered 2,000 to 3,000 DSC 106 chairs per month to distribute in France.
In 1972, designer George Ciancimino created an interlocking aluminum furniture line for Mobilier International. The company also collaborated with Pierre Paulin on the Pacha furniture line for public buildings like hospitals and museums. Meanwhile, it continued importing international designs, like the Tizio lamp created by Richard Sapper for the Italian lighting company Artemide.
Mobilier International worked with several big names in furniture design throughout the 1980s, including Bruno Gecchelin, Pascal Mourgue and Bernard Govin.
In 1991, Mobilier International was sold to Haworth, an international office furniture manufacturer, ending the production of the company’s lounge chairs. Schulmann retired in 1994 and died in 2004, at the age of 94.
On 1stDibs, find Mobilier International seating, tables and more.
20th Century British Mobilier International Chairs
Leather
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Mobilier International Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Steel
2010s Finnish Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Fiberglass, Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mobilier International Chairs
Leather, Beech
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Mobilier International Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Steel
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Mobilier International Chairs
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mobilier International Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mobilier International Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Cord, Wood, Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mobilier International Chairs
Stainless Steel
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mobilier International Chairs
Steel
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mobilier International Chairs
Steel
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mobilier International Chairs
