Theo Ruth, Pair of "Congo" Lounge Chairs for Artifort, circa 1950
View Similar Items
Theo Ruth, Pair of "Congo" Lounge Chairs for Artifort, circa 1950
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 21.66 in (55 cm)Depth: 29.93 in (76 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:Seller: 7301stDibs: LU1532212814102
Theo Ruth
Among the pantheon of talented individuals who have worked for Artifort, Theo Ruth was the acclaimed Dutch furniture manufacturer’s first permanent designer. Ruth’s work significantly advanced Artifort’s laudable reputation, specifically through his designs for armchairs like the 1952 Congo chair and the 1953 Penguin chair.
Ruth was born in 1915 in Maastricht, the Netherlands, where Artifort was established. Founded by Jules Wagemans, Artifort began as Wagemans & Van Tuinen in 1890 before rebranding to Artifort in 1928. Ruth studied furniture and interior design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht and joined the Artifort team in 1936.
Ruth’s long tenure as its head of design and development included overseeing the hiring of key individuals like Artifort’s aesthetic consultant and designer Kho Liang Ie, British furniture designer Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI and French interior designer Pierre Paulin RDI.
Following Ruth’s death in 1971, Artifort has carried on his legacy of innovative furniture through collaborations with numerous top designers, such as Jasper Morrison, Wolfgang C.R. Mezger, René Holten, Claesson Koivisto Rune, Ilse Crawford and Luca Nichetto.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Theo Ruth seating, including lounge chairs, sofas and more.
Artifort
The sterling reputation that Artifort enjoys isn’t limited to the innovative upholstery and fluid, organic shapes for which its products are widely known — the legendary Dutch brand’s vintage seating and other furniture is also celebrated for its embodiment of functionality, comfort and quality. These are among the principles that underpin the philosophy toward modern furniture design at Artifort, which has been at the crossroads of furniture and art for over 125 years.
Prior to 1928, the year Artifort officially became a brand, Jules Wagemans had a small upholstery business in Maastricht, the Netherlands. After setting up in 1890, his son, Henricus Wagemans, broadened the scope of the company to include furniture production. By the end of the 1920s, their showroom in Amsterdam had made them a recognizable brand across the Netherlands.
Then named H. Wagemans & Van Tuien, the company changed its name to Artifort after the economic recession. Artifort came from two Latin words meaning “art” and “strong” — a perfect description for the style of each design and the manufacturer’s intention to create sturdy furnishings. Artifort’s reputation for durable armchairs and sofas endures, and vintage editions of this seating are now family heirlooms in many homes.
Artifort became a magnet for high-profile and up-and-coming designers alike. Many furniture designers’ careers began thanks to collaborations with Artifort, such as Dutch industrial and jewelry designer Gijs Bakker and Indonesian-born designer Kho Liang Ie. Also known for designing the interiors at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, Kho Liang Ie was an aesthetic consultant at Artifort and used his expertise to turn the company into a world-class brand. Perhaps his largest contribution, however, was attracting the talents of French furniture and interior designer Pierre Paulin and English furniture designer Geoffrey D. Harcourt.
Paulin’s bright and colorful lounge chairs, such as his Orange Slice chair and Mushroom chair, are still central to the Artifort identity. 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, while Harcourt deserves credit for popularizing Artifort internationally and extending their reach into foreign markets.
Another talent boom in the 1990s at Artifort yielded collaborations with Jasper Morrison, Wolfgang Mezger and René Holten. Iranian designer Khodi Feiz was named art director in 2014 and has continued the tradition of recruiting top designers such as Claesson Koivisto Rune, Ilse Crawford and Luca Nichetto.
Find a collection of vintage Artifort lounge chairs, tables and more on 1stDibs.
- Pierre Paulin, Rare 1st Edition of "Big Tulip" F551 Armchair for Artifort, 1959By Pierre Paulin, ArtifortLocated in Paris, FRRare first edition of the "Big Tulip" Lounge Armchair, model F551 designed by Pierre Paulin in 1959 for Artifort. Brushed Chrome Steel "X" base. Excellent condition. Very collectabl...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Florence Knoll, "Parallel Bar" Lounge Chair, circa 1965By Knoll, Florence KnollLocated in Paris, FR"Parallel Bar" easy chair designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll International, circa 1965. Newly re-upholstered with a dark blue velvet from the Kvadrat Raf Simons collec...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel, Metal
- Louis Paolozzi, Pair of "Concerto" Armchairs for Zol, France, 1950By Louis PaolozziLocated in Paris, FRElegant Pair of French armchairs model "Concerto" designed by Louis Paolozzi in the 1950s and produced by Zol, France. Black lacquered metal feet. Excellent condition. Origina...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pierre Guariche "Courchevel" Lounge Chair for Sièges Témoins, 1959By Sièges Témoins, Pierre GuaricheLocated in Paris, FRBeautiful lounge chair designed by French designer Pierre Guariche. Model "Courchevel" manufactured by Sièges Témoins. France, circa 1959. Steel chromed frame. Very good condition. ...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Joseph-André Motte, Pair of "Tempo" Armchairs for Steiner, France, 1950By Joseph-André Motte, Siege SteinerLocated in Paris, FRElegant pair of French Lounge Armchairs model "Tempo" designed by Joseph-André Motte in the 1950s and produced by Sièges Steiner, Franc...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Joseph-André Motte, Set of 3 "Tempo" Easy Chairs for Steiner, France, 1950By Joseph-André Motte, Siege SteinerLocated in Paris, FRElegant set of 3 French Lounge Chairs model "Tempo" designed by Joseph-André Motte in the 1950s and produced by Sièges Steiner, France. Black lacquered metal feet. Excellent conditi...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Theo Ruth Lounge Chairs for Artifort, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Delft, NLTheo Ruth lounge chairs for Artifort The Netherlands, 1950s One lounge chair with a highly winged back and 3 rows buttons One lounge chair with a low winged back and 2 rows buttons T...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$1,401 / item - "Congo Chair" by Theo Ruth for ArtifortBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Providence, RIEmbrace mid-century modern design with the Theo Ruth for Artifort Congo Chair. This iconic piece combines comfort, style, and sophistication. Crafted with attention to detail, the...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
Sold$2,625 - Pair of Congo Chairs by Theo Ruth for ArtifortBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Palm Springs, CAPair of Congo Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Each chair measures 22.5" wide, 27" deep and 28" high. Seat height is 15". Chair bases have...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Theo Ruth lounge chair for Artifort The Netherlands, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Delft, NLTheo Ruth lounge chair for Artifort The Netherlands, 1950s A lounge chair with a highly winged back and 3 rows buttons The upholstery is a brown and black woven fabric The ...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood, Fabric
- Leather Lounge Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Delft, NLLeather Lounge Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s A beautiful leather lounge chair with a highly winged back 2 toned in new upholstered high quality Italian black and red leathe...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Leather Lounge Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Delft, NLLeather Lounge Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s A beautiful leather lounge chair with a highly winged back 2 toned in new upholstered high quality Italian black and yellow gol...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood