With its undulating, futuristic and playful form, it’s easy to see why filmmaker Stanley Kubrick chose to use Olivier Mourgue’s iconic Djinn chair in his 1968 masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey. But the French artist and industrial designer is known for much more than the Space Age Djinn. From his whimsical Flower floor lamps to his anthropomorphic Bouloum chair, Mourgue is renowned as an important contributor to the 1960s Pop art era of modern furniture design.
Born in Paris in 1939, Mourgue grew up in an apartment filled with Empire-style antique furniture, which he derided as having “nothing to do with life.” He later studied art at Paris’s École Boulle, graduating in 1958. He then attended the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs.
In 1959, his former teacher at École Boulle, Marcel Merpillat, encouraged him to present a chair he designed at a competition hosted by furniture manufacturer Airborne. Airborne founder Charles Bernard was impressed by Mourgue’s design, which featured a leather-upholstered seat attached to a chrome steel frame; it was produced by the company under the name the Joker. Mourgue designed several other mid-century modern pieces for Airborne throughout the 1960s, including the Whist chaise longue, the rotund Montreal chair, the unique Cubique chair and the Djinn series, which first appeared in 1964.
In addition to Airborne, Mourgue has designed for furniture manufacturers such as Disderot and Prisunic, and collaborated with British architect and designer Sir Norman Foster and Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa.
Mourgue worked for Le Mobilier National to design the French Pavilion for Montreal’s Expo ‘67. In 1968, he received the International Design Award from the Institute of Interior Designers in New York for the Djinn lounge chair. He also exhibited several of his works at Expo ‘70 in Osaka, Japan.
Today, Mourgue’s pieces are part of the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Olivier Mourgue seating, lighting and more.
Two-Seat Djinn Sofa by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Another classic piece by Mourgue, this one a two seat sofa, completely reupholstered including foam webbing and fabric, and the fabric used is top quality 'Stretch' by Knoll.
Upholstery
Olivier Mourgue "Djinn" Daybed for Airborne, France 1965
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Utrecht, NL
French industrial designer Oliver Mourgue obtained his degree in Interior Design at the prestigious École Boulle, from where he went on to pursue his passion in furniture design at t...
Fabric, Upholstery
Bouloum Lounge Chair by Olivier Mourgue for Arconas
By Olivier Mourgue, Arconas
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Reupholstered in Kvadrat felt. More available if needed.
Felt
Italian Modern Two Seat Sofa, c. 1950s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning two seat settee features sculpted hardwood arms with sleek and delicate legs. Unique vintage fabric adds to the mid-century appeal of this elegant Italian love seat...
Upholstery
Djinn Armchair and Ottoman by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Iconic Djinn armchair and ottman designed by Olivier Mourgue for French company Airborne. Tubular steel frame and original fabric. Imported from Denmark. Needs upholstery. Ottoman me...
Fabric
$6,886 / set
H 25.79 in W 27.56 in D 27.76 in
Djinn Armchair and Ottoman by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Designer Olivier Mourgue Brand Airborn, France Era 1960’s Material metall, foam, black fabric Size 70 cm x 70,5 cm x 65,5 cm I 36,5 cm Size ottoman 71 cm × 57 cm × 39,5 cm Con...
Metal
Restored Olivier Mourgue "Djinn" Chaise Lounge for Airborne
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Berlin, DE
Newly upholstered Djinn Chaise Lounge in Kvadrat Tonus wool fabric. The color as close as it was shown in the 2001 movie by Stanley Kubrick. Excel...
Metal
$10,504
H 25.6 in W 66.93 in D 23.63 in
Green space age Djinn lounge chair by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne 1964
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Djinn lounge chair designed by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne. The iconic Lounge chair was designed in 1964 and the Djinn series became a hallmark of Mourgue’s work. It was used in the...
Fabric
$6,000
H 25 in W 69 in D 24 in
French 'Djinn' Chaise Lounge by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne International, 1965
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Chicago, IL
The 'Djinn' chaise lounge, designed by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne International in 1965, is an icon of futuristic and Space Age design. Characterized by its fluid, low-slung silhou...
Upholstery
$21,008
H 26.38 in W 33.47 in D 24.81 in
Olivier Mourgue pair of rare Montreal armchairs Airborne France 1967
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Paris, FR
References: ARC-Mobilier National public collection, inventory number GMT-22591-014 Commissioned by the Mobilier National for the French pavilion at the 1967 Universal Exhibition. O...
Metal, Chrome
Olivier Mourgue. “Djinn” lounge chair. 1960s.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Olivier Mourgue for Airborn “Djinn” chaise longue, ergonomically designed and upholstered in chocolate-colored fabric. French design, made in the 1960s. Dimensions: H 69 x W 185 ...
Fabric
$6,670
H 24.75 in W 69 in D 23.65 in
Olivier Mourgue, Djinn Chaise Lounge in Alpaca Mohair, France 1965
By Olivier Mourgue, Airborne International
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Iconic “Djinn” chaise lounge designed by Olivier Mourgue, originally created in 1965 and produced by Airborne International. A defining example of Space Age design, the Djinn is cele...
Alpaca
Djinn Sofa by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne, France, 1960s
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Antwerp, BE
Djinn sofa by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne, 1960s France, an iconic sofa upholstered in luxurious white bouclé. It is inspired by the mythical shape-shifting djinn of Arab culture, i...
Metal
“Djinn” Settee in Upholstery and Steel by Olivier Mourgue, 1965
By Airborne International, Olivier Mourgue
Located in Skokie, IL
Olivier Mourgue “Djinn” settee for Airborne International, France, 1965 This model was famously used in Stanley Kubrick's 2001 A Space Odyssey. Additional Information: Materia...
Steel
Olivier Mourgue “Djinn” Settee for Airborne, Circa 1964
By Airborne International, Olivier Mourgue
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Olivier Mourgue “Djinn” settee sofa for Airborne, Circa 1964. This piece has been expertly restored in Kvadrat fabric.
Steel
Sold
H 26.78 in W 49.22 in D 30.32 in
Rare Djinn Sofa by Olivier Mourgue, New 100% Wool Boucle Fabric, France, 1960s
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare Djinn sofa by Olivier Mourgue, France, manufactured by Airborne International, circa 1965. Early edition newly upholstered in high quality 100% wool Lelievre Lama Naturel boucle...
Metal
Two-Seat Djinn Sofa by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Original Djinn sofa frame now recovered in red jersey to comply with current fire safety regulations and ready for your 'Space Odysee' home!
Upholstery
Two-Seat Djinn Sofa by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Two-seat Djinn sofa by Olivier Mourgue for airborne. An original frame from the 1960s now recovered in new foam and red stretch Jersey Zipped cover, exactly...
Steel
Two-Seat Djinn Sofa by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Original Djinn sofa frame now recovered in red jersey to comply with current fire safety regulations and ready for your 'Space Odysee' home!
Upholstery
Sold
H 27.56 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
Olivier Mourgue “Djinn Settee" for Airborne, Reupholstery Needed
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Berlin, DE
Olivier Mourgue “Djinn Settee" rare settee variation with armrests. Of wool upholstery over foam and internal steel frame. Manufactured by Airborne Intern...
Fabric
Olivier Mourgue Djinn low settee
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A great 1963 design by Mourgue. A very low lounge settee in original fabric. These chairs were used in the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" made by Kubrick in 1969. A nice example.