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.
Rare Gérard Gallet for Mobilier International Faceted Hexagonal Sofas
By Mobilier International, Gérard Gallet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gérard Gallet for Mobilier International, sofas, fabric, wood wrapped in leatherette, France, circa 1980 This piece constitutes a rare example of the oeuvre of Gérard Gallet (1934–1...
Fabric, Faux Leather, Wood
$33,250 / set
H 33.08 in W 29.53 in D 39.38 in
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Lounge Set for Mobilier International, 1971
By Oscar Niemeyer, Mobilier International
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” lounge set for Mobilier International, black leather and steel, France, 1971 The "Alta" lounge chair, designed by Oscar Niem...
Leather
Postmodern Gerard van den Berg Florence Sofa for Montis, Buck Leather
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg designed the Florence sofa for Dutch manufacturer Montis during the height of Postmodern experimentation with organic furniture forms. Known alternately as "The R...
Leather, Foam
Rare No. 704 Richard Schultz Knoll International Daybed / Sofa
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Munich, DE
Convertible sofa designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll International. The seat pulls forward and up to create a flat and level bed. Wonderful and classic Mid-Century Modern design.
Metal
$8,908
H 32.29 in W 94.49 in D 31.5 in
Wonderful No. 26 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Rare no.26 by florence knoll in showroom condition. Hardly used only re-upholstered and used one time for a photo shooting and very exclusive model redone with very cosy fabric in wa...
Metal
$8,421
H 24.41 in W 90.56 in D 36.23 in
Cini Boeri - Leather Sofa "Gradual" for Knoll International, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Cini Boeri “Gradual” Sofa for Knoll International, Italy, 1972 Rare “Gradual” sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll International in 1972. Upholste...
Leather
$17,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 68.5 in D 29.5 in
Warren Platner Bronze Wire Sofa for Knoll International, c 1966
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An original Warren Platner for Knoll International sofa, designed in 1966 and produced in the late 1960s–1970s. Part of Platner’s iconic collection that transformed industrial steel rods into sculptural furniture forms, this rare loveseat / sofa features the elusive bronze wire frame, far less common than the nickel-plated versions, and no longer in production. The curved architectural silhouette is formed from hundreds of vertical steel rods, welded with horizontal rings to create a structure that is at once airy and monumental. The base is finished in the original bronze patina, lending warmth and depth that distinguishes it from later reproductions. Knoll ceased production of the Platner sofa...
Bronze
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 91 in D 32 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa c 1950/60's
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Mid Century classic sofa, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International ( Knoll Park Ave ). This iconic sofa displays all the sophistication, quality and beauty expec...
Chrome
$26,500
H 33.08 in W 29.53 in D 39.38 in
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Easy Chair for Mobilier International, 1971
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” easy chair for Mobilier International, cognac leather and steel, France, 1971. The “Alta” easy chair, created by Oscar Niemeyer in 1971 in collaboration with h...
Leather
Rare No. 704 Richard Schultz Knoll International Daybed / Sofa
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Convertible sofa designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll International. MID 1950'S..Ingenious design as the seat pulls forward and up to create a flat and level bed. Wonderful and...
Stainless Steel
$31,062
H 22.84 in W 116.15 in D 51.19 in
Ennio Chiggio 'Environ One' Sofa for Nikol International, Italy, 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The Environ One Sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, 1970, is a rare vintage piece of furniture that exemplifies the best of Mid-Century Modern desi...
Wool
Rare Richard Schultz Knoll International Daybed / Sofa No. 703
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Munich, DE
Convertible sofa designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll International. The seat pulls forward and up to create a flat and level bed. Wonderful and classic Mid-Century Modern design up...
Metal, Chrome
Ennio Chiggio “Environ” Modular Sofa for Nikol International, 1969
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Ennio Chiggio “Environ” modular sofa for Nikol International, 1969 The Ennio Chiggio "Environ" sofa for Nikol International, designed in the 1960s, is a ...
Fabric, Foam, Chenille
Gérard Gallet Divan for Mobilier International, France ca. 1980
By Mobilier International, Gérard Gallet
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Rare divan by Gérard Gallet (1934-1999) for Mobilier International, France, circa 1980. Fantastic outspoken design by the famous French decorator Gérard Gallet who is known for his A...
Mohair
Sold
H 27.17 in W 74.02 in D 35.83 in
Gérard Gallet Sofa for Mobilier International, France, circa 1980
By Mobilier International, Gérard Gallet
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Rare sofa by Gérard Gallet (1934-1999) for Mobilier International, France circa 1980. Fantastic outspoken design by the famous French decorator Gérard Ga...
Mohair