Pierre Paulin introduced a fresh breeze into French furniture design in the 1960s and ’70s, fostering a sleek new Space-Age aesthetic. Along with Olivier Mourgue, Paulin developed chairs, sofas, dining tables and other furnishings with flowing lines and almost surreal naturalistic forms. And his work became such a byword for chic, forward-looking design and emerging technologies that two French presidents commissioned him to create environments in the Élysée Palace in Paris.
Paulin was born in Paris to a family of artists and designers. He initially sought to become a ceramist and sculptor and was studying in the town of Vallauris near the Côte d'Azur — a center for pottery making, where Pablo Picasso spent his postwar summers crafting ceramics — but broke his hand in a fight. He enrolled at the École Camondo, the Paris interior design school. There, Paulin was strongly influenced by the work of Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Arne Jacobsen, as was reflected in his early creations for the manufacturer Thonet-France.
It was at the Dutch firm Artifort, which he joined in 1958, where Paulin blossomed. In a few years, he produced several of his signature designs based on abstract organic shapes. These include the Butterfly chair (1963), which features a tubular steel frame and slung leather, and a group of striking seating pieces made with steel frames covered in polyurethane foam and tight jersey fabric: the Mushroom (1960), Ribbon (1966) and Tongue (1967) chairs. The revered designer not only introduced new construction techniques to Artifort furniture but contributed fresh materials, Pop art colors and dazzling shapes to the mid-century modern era as a whole.
In 1971, the Mobilier National — a department of France’s Ministry of Culture in charge of furnishing top-tier government offices and embassies — commissioned Paulin to redesign President Georges Pompidou’s private apartment in the Élysée Palace. In three years, Paulin transformed the staid rooms into futuristic environments with curved, fabric-clad walls and furnishings such as bookcases made from an arrangement of smoked-glass U shapes, flower-like pedestal chairs and pumpkin-esque loungers.
Ten years later, the Mobilier National called on Paulin again, this time to furnish the private office of President François Mitterand. Paulin responded with an angular, postmodern take on neoclassical furniture, pieces that looked surprisingly at home in the paneled, Savonnerie-carpeted Louis XVI rooms. As those two Élysée Palace projects show, Paulin furniture works well both in a total decor or when used as a counterpoint to traditional pieces. His creations have a unique personality: bright and playful yet sophisticated and suave.
Find vintage Pierre Paulin lounge chairs, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Pierre Paulin Élysée Coffee or Cocktail Table 2, Alpha International, Circa 1971
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Miami, FL
Rare and Important Iconic 20th century design Élysée low table, coffee or cocktail table. This piece is an edition of the design by Pierre Paulin for the Private Living Room of Presi...
Aluminum
Artifort Orange Slice Low Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Orange Slice table was especially designed as a table with the fauteuil. The Orange Slice table is available in two sizes. The base is either chrome...
Textile
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated around 2000. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by A...
Steel
Mid-Century Model T878 Spider Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning and very rare coffee table, Spider series (model T878). Designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in the 1960s. The table was only made in limited numbers. It has a p...
Glass, Plywood
A " CM 191 " Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin France 1970s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A simple coffee table by Pierre Paulin France 1960s. Model : CM 191 Editor : Thonet Veneering Ash Wood and black lacquered metal. Report : two stains on the top ( please check the...
Metal
Mid-Century Model T878 Spider Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning and very rare coffee table, Spider series (model T878). Designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in the 1960s. The table was only made in limited numbers. It has a p...
Glass, Plywood
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated end 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Arti...
Steel
CM 191 coffee table by Pierre Paulin, Thonet 1959
By Pierre Paulin
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Coffee table model CM 191 designed by Pierre Paulin in the late 1950s, produced by Ligne Roset. The rectangular solid wood top with a clear finish rests on a black lacquered steel w...
Metal
Artifort Orange Slice High Coffee Table in Oak by Pierre Paulin
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Orange Slice table was especially designed as a table with the fauteuil. The Orange Slice table is available in two sizes. The base is either chrome...
Oak
"Circle" Coffee or Side Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely round coffee or side table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This particular item is fabricated a...
Metal
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated end 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Arti...
Steel
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated end 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Arti...
Steel
"Circle" Coffee or Side Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely round coffee or side table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This particular item is fabricated a...
Metal
Fine French 1960s Round Gueridon or Side Table by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Long Island City, NY
With a cast aluminum pedestal and a rosewood round top. Designed by Pierre Paulin, edited by Artifort.
Aluminum
"Circle" Coffee or Side Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely round coffee or side table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This particular item is fabricated a...
Metal
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This high quality table is made with t...
Metal
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated end 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by A...
Steel
Round Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort in the 2004. This high quality table...
Metal
H 16.5 in W 50.5 in D 30.5 in
Pierre Vandel Coffee Table
By Pierre Vandel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
A large double level cocktail table in lucite and brass by Pierre Vandel.. This table is signed and with new glasses, as the old ones have been replaced . This table fits with any ...
Brass
H 23.63 in Dm 29.14 in
Mid Century Coffee Table, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Rare type.
Glass, Wood
H 11 in W 48 in D 48 in
Midcentury Italian Sculptural Modern Square Travertine Marble Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple and sculptural square coffee table made of travertine for Italy circa 1970s. It features a very low profile with solid slab travertine construction with beautiful veining an...
Travertine
H 16 in W 26 in D 26 in
Teak Coffee Table by Pierre Jeanneret
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pierre Jeanneret coffee table model PJ-TB-04-A from Chandigarh India, circa early 1960s. This form for this table was created from a design by Charlotte Perriand in 1938 for the BCC and l’Equipement de la Maison. Elegant design of three symmetrical legs and circular table. Top connected to base with three screws. literature: Mary McLeod, ed., Charlotte Perriand: An Art of Living, New York, 2003, p. 136, fig. 8 for a 'L’Equipement de la Maison' prospectus Le Corbusier Pierre Jeanneret: The Indian Adventure...
Teak
H 15.5 in W 41.5 in D 21.5 in
1970s Pierre Vandel French Coffee Table Paris France
By Pierre Vandel
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a fabulous Coffee Table, designed by Pierre Vandel, Paris France circa the 1970s. Aluminum base with cut-glass top. Aluminum, Brass and Glass. Dimensions: 1...
Aluminum, Brass
Hollywood Regency Italian Gold Gilt & Glass Circular or Round Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage sheaf of wheat coffee table from Italy circa 1960's. It features gold gilded metal base with thick clear glass round top.
Steel
H 12 in W 40.5 in D 40.5 in
Low Midcentury Italian Modern Square Travertine Marble Cube Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple and natural square coffee table made of travertine for Italy circa 1970s. It features a very low profile with solid slab travertine construction with beautiful veining and m...
Travertine
H 20.87 in Dm 27.56 in
Fine French 1960s Round Gueridon or Side Table by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Long Island City, NY
With a cast aluminum pedestal and a rosewood round top. Designed by Pierre Paulin, edited by Artifort.
Aluminum
H 16 in W 48 in D 22 in
Mid-Century Modern Bronze and Marble Rectangular Cocktail Table after Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredibly heavy and well made coffee table in the manner of Florence Knoll. It features a solid bronze heavy frame with an inlaid Perlato marble.
Marble, Bronze
H 20.5 in W 21.5 in D 30 in
1960s Mid-Century Surfboard Coffee Table by Bassett
Located in Wilton, CT
Mid-Century Modern walnut coffee table by Bassett Furniture Company, circa 1965. Surfboard style table with distinctive raised edges — typical of...
Walnut
H 22.45 in W 35.44 in D 24.02 in
Art Deco Coffee Table
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art deco coffee table, burr walnut. Professionally stained and repolished.
Walnut
Kolos Low Coffee Table, by Yonoh Studio
By Yonoh Studio, Miniforms
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kolos is formed in a plaster mould in a pottery where craftsmen apply the glaze and then fire the table. Although shiny and polished to the touch, the material it is made of is evide...
Ceramic
H 14.97 in Dm 38.98 in
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 70's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This high quality table is made with the...
Metal
H 13.39 in Dm 40.56 in
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. This particular table is fabricated end 60's. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Arti...
Steel
H 15.75 in Dm 27.56 in
"Circle" Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice round coffee table, designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s. The name of the table is "Circle" and it is manufactured by Artifort. This high quality table is made with ...
Metal
H 16.93 in Dm 47.25 in
Coffee Table Élysée, Pierre Paulin, Alpha International Edition Around 1972-1973
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Paris, FR
Pierre Paulin (1927-2009) Coffee table Élysée (1971), designed initially for the private room of Claude and Georges Pompidou at the Elysée Palace and realized by the workshop of research and creation of the Mobilier National...
Aluminum
H 16.75 in Dm 39.5 in
Pierre Paulin Élysée Coffee or Cocktail Table 1, Alpha International, Circa 1971
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Miami, FL
Rare and important Iconic 20th century design Élysée low table, coffee or cocktail table. This piece is an edition of the design by Pierre Paulin for the Private Living Room of Presi...
Aluminum
H 10.63 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Pierre Paulin, Coffee Table Model 877
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Rare model 877 coffee table - Pierre Paulin Artifort edition 1970s Glossy lacquered white resin light scratches, good condition Measures: Length 50cm H...
Resin
H 14.97 in W 39.38 in L 14.97 in
Pierre Paulin by Artifort Model Circle Coffee Table, Netherlands, 1960
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice round coffee table model Circle designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort, the Netherlands, 1960s. This is a first edition piece from the 1960s with a white la...
Metal
H 15 in W 55 in D 18.5 in
Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Thonet
By Thonet, Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite CM191 coffee table designed by Pierre Paulin (1927-2009) for Thonet Mahogany top with steel wire base France, Designed in 1959.
Metal
H 14.97 in W 39.38 in L 14.97 in
Pierre Paulin Circle Coffee Table Artifort, Netherlands, 1960
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice round coffee table model Circle designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort, the Netherlands 1960s. This is a first edition piece from the 1960s with a white lac...
Metal
H 14.97 in W 48.04 in D 29.93 in
Rare Pierre Paulin Rosewood Coffee Table for Artifort, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Paris, FR
Pierre Paulin oval coffee table for Artifort, circa 1960. Here, a very first one edition, extremely rare to find with the oval rosewood top. Very good condition. Literatur...
Stainless Steel
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Octagonal Coffee Table by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Dronten, NL
Octagonal coffee table by French designer Pierre Paulin. This is a very rare table from the 800 series made in the late 1960s. Marked with silver Artifort label.
Steel
H 14.97 in W 29.53 in D 29.53 in
Coffee Table CM192 by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Paris, FR
Oak plywood coffee table model CM192 by Pierre Paulin.
Oak, Plywood
