Pair of Vintage French Art Deco Period "Normandie" Armchairs, circa 1930

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Pair of Vintage French Art Deco Period "Normandie" Armchairs, circa 1930

About the Item

Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click Follow Dealer below and see them first! A pair of sensational vintage French Art Deco period walnut and metal armchairs circa 1930. Their unique appearance is emphasized by the wooden sections of the chairs being in an upper and lower configuration with a series of metal mounts connecting them. The impression these chairs create is reminiscent of the famous Art Deco period ocean liner "Normandie". The distinctive shape of the prow of the ship along with the smoke funnels made an indelible impact upon every person who saw it. The interiors of the "Normandie" were among the most lavish ever seen on an ocean liner and were perfectly in keeping with the attitude toward luxurious design than began in the 1920's. The two sections on each side of the chairs have a rounded edge to the front and back and the gorgeous walnut used to sheathe the surfaces wrap elegantly around each of the curved ends. These large flat surfaces that feature the extraordinary grain of superior timber are hallmarks of the Art Deco period and appear only on the highest quality pieces. When these chairs are viewed from the side their rakish profile is seen to advantage. The arms and bases of each chair slant upward from the back to the front and give a visual impression of thrust and vigour. The top of each arm has a flat surface that continues all the way from the back to the front where the arm sweeps toward the floor. The designer of these chairs chose a striking method to connect the arm and the base by using a totally different material - metal - to contrast with the walnut and the sumptuous fabric. The front of each arm joins the base with a pair of curved circular bars fitted with a circular CAP that echo the curve of the arm itself. This repetition of shape and form is quite powerful visually and provides the chairs with an arresting presence. The upper and lower sections encases in walnut toward the rear of the chairs are also joined by unusually shaped metal mounts that are each in the shape of an inverted triangle. All three of these metal joins are spaced equally from the other and have a geometric shape that contrasts beautifully with the rounded shape of the wooden portions of each chair. The metal possesses a beautiful gleam and reflects light in a complementary fashion to the walnut timber because the metal has a luminous quality to its finish instead of a highly glossy and polished surface. The base of each chair is underneath the walnut and while it follows the same rounded form each section has been finished with a black painted surface chosen to resemble ebony. This dark recessed platform base enables the chairs to appear as though they are floating slightly above the ground and gives a surprising lightness to their overall appearance. The chairs have been freshly upholstered in a luscious peacock blue cotton velvet that is appropriate to the period. The use of intense jewel tone colors was quite popular during the 1920s and 1930s and is often seen not only in the fabrics from then but also in the interior colors of homes and public spaces. These chairs will be a magnetic focal point wherever they are placed within an interior where the beauty of their shape along with their superb comfort ensures their desirability.

Dimensions:
Height: 37 in (93.98 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)Length: 37 in (93.98 cm)
Style:
Art Deco (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Metal,Walnut
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1930
Condition:
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: DO1021stDibs: U1204168668666