Important Raoul Guys "Antony" Lounge Chair for 'Cite' University, Paris, 1954

Rare and important pair of Raoul Guys 'Antony' chairs designed in 1954 for the world famous 'Cite' university's 'Jean Zay / Antony' residence 'in Paris . This stunning design was produced concurrently by 'Airborne' in France and 'Trefac' in Belgium (on official license) ' Beautiful sculptural form design with enameled steel rod frame and thermoformed plywood seat and backrests .both chairs are finished in their original faux leather fabric. A rare opportunity to acquire a pair complete with original upholstery, We can recover the chairs should we receive a request to do so. This pair were produced by 'Trefac' in Belgium , we found a 'Trefac' manufacturer's catalog dated 1957 which illustrates this model (please see image 6). 'Trefac' produced these chairs for the Belgian market under license from 'Airborne',France. The 'Jean Zay/ Antony' university residence was designed by the French architect Eugene Beaudoin and built in 1954. The interior furniture and lighting for the “Antony” residence was designed by the most influential of the group of “new” French designers , key figures such as Jean Prouve , Charlotte Perriand and Serge Mouille . Several of the chairs chosen for the ”Antony” building in Paris were designed by Raoul Guys including this design and his famous sculptural form wicker and steel lounge chair, please refer to images 2 and 3. These chairs were commissioned by the French government ,through the guidance of master French Sculptor and archtect , Andre Bloc, who greatly admired Guys' sculptural yet practical designs. Bloc was also involved in selecting furniture for the 'Cite' university's 'Maison Bresil' and 'Maison Mexique' university buildings in 1953 again furnished with designs by Jean Prouve , Charlotte Perriand and Serge Mouille among others. Bloc also advised 'Air France' to select Guys' 'oro' series of designs finished in bent steel and wicker for use in their 48 airports across the African continent ,they were famously used in the 'Brazzaville' complex of hotels and the Hotel N'Gor in Dakar again alongside furniture designed by Jean Prouve and Charlotte Perriand again selected by Andre Bloc. Please refer to the the last two images where you can see our collection of chairs that Raoul Guys designed for the 'Anthony' building in Paris and Air France's 'Brazzaville' complex and HotelT N'Gor in Dakar . Charles Bernard founded his company 'Airborne' in order to bring modern design to the population of France. Bernard asked his close friend and famous sculptor and architect Andre Bloc to seek out talented young designers who could produce furniture with an artistic or sculptural quality. Bloc was already working in this field with the “group espace” who saw art and sculpture as a social phenomena and aimed to bring art into the everyday living experience . For example it was Bloc who commissioned Charlotte Perriand to produce the famous 'Mexico' and 'Tunisie' bookcases for the Cité Internationale Universitaire , Paris for which Bloc also produced the colour scheme and he also worked closely with the Steph Simon gallery in Paris famous for showcasing the work of Prouve,Perriand and Noguchi among others. . Bloc had at this time recently come across a young designer Raoul Guys who’s work he greatly admired and which offered a sculptural quality to furniture design and asked him if he would like to collaborate with Airborne . In the book “les decorateurs des Annees 50” by Patrick Favardin it mentions that Andre Bloc presented Raoul Guys as a very interesting creator. Guy’s chairs had a suprising and sculptural quality in the free spirit of the after war period. LITERATURE: 'Airborne i945-75' ,page 35...

Stunning French 1950s sculptural form wicker chaise. This chaise has the wonderful juxtaposition of a free form organic flowing organic wicker element mounted on a Minimalist triangu...

Exquisite and extremely rare set of three 'oro' dining chairs designed by sculptor and designer Raoul Guys in 1951 for 'Airborne',France. These chairs were commissioned by Air Fr...

Pair of nicely curved wingback chairs in a senior and lady version by Dutch designer Their Ruth for Artifort manufactured in the 1950's Photo's of the complete classic reupholstery proces are featured in this listing showing the craftsmanship we put back in to restore these chairs as if they where made in the 1950's The Wool Boucle fabric is 'Monza' by Dutch manufacturer De Ploeg These chairs are made of solid Birch wood frames and a classic steel spring & stepped grass & cotton interior and will last another lifetime The sizes listed are for the senior version The lady chair...

Pair of beautiful restored lounge chairs by Artifort The Netherlands produced, circa 1955. These top quality lounge chairs have been fully restored with respect to the original wa...

Very rare pair of the first edition of the "Big Tulip" chair, model F551 Just Married! Designed by French designer Pierre Paulin in 1959 for Artifort, The Netherlands Reuph...

Pair of chairs by Henri Lancel for Cité University d'Antony France, circa 1956 Constructed of beech legs and ash plywood seat and back Newly restored / refinished Wonderful angular...

Raoul Guys for Airborne Lounge Chair Pair, France - 1950s in Rattan and Metal. We offer restoration and reupholstery in our in-house atelier. Please ask for a quote

Orchidee Lounge Chairs by Michel Cadestin for Airborne, France 1968. Original upholstery is excellent condition. Sofa sold in separate lis...

Rare pair of Raoul Guys lounge chairs. French Reconstruction era. Please read condition comments below. The chairs are sturdy. These chairs have not been restored. This item will sh...

LOUNG CHAIR ROSET ÉDITEUR - COLLECTION DU CROUS DE L'ACADÉMIE DE VERSAILLES 1955 Model 346, furniture for the Jean Zay University Residence in Antony, France Suite of 2 armchairs; Co...

Stunning and rare lounge chair designed by Gastone Rinaldi in 1954, Italy. The design of this chair is sculptural and organic. The chair is eye catching but yet light and fluid. U...