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Pair of John Vesey "Maximilian Lounge Chairs"

$33,000per set
£24,649.42per set
€28,577.07per set
CA$45,819.68per set
A$51,357.96per set
CHF 26,740.58per set
MX$627,102.63per set
NOK 339,508.22per set
SEK 321,823.26per set
DKK 213,215.90per set
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About the Item

The “Maximilian Lounge Chair” was John Vesey’s finest and most celebrated chair design — it was also his most expensive one to produce, and appeared in a 1959 issue of Vogue. The aluminum frame was wrought rather than cast, solid rather than assembled, and polished to a seamless satiny sheen. An industrial-aluminum screen supports the black-leather upholstery tufted in a pattern that harks back to the 19th century. So too does the chair’s form that’s based on low-slung Latin American planters’ chairs. One that belonged to the ill-fated Emperor Maximilian of Mexico inspired both Vesey’s design and the chair’s name. Although humbly born, Vesey attended Harvard, wore Saville Row suits, and became a high-society fixture. Among his clients were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Babe Paley, Cecil Beaton, Hubert de Givenchy, and “Baby” Jane Holzer. He began as an antiques dealer, and then had the brilliant idea of replicating his antique inventory in aluminum, steel, brass, glass, and black leather. The stunning results prompted him to sell his antique inventory in a 1955 auction and use the proceeds to produce a furniture line of his own designs.
  • Creator:
    John Vesey (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 38.75 in (98.43 cm)Width: 23.25 in (59.06 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Aluminum,Leather,Polished,Welded
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1959
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1061431803662

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