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Theo Ruth Daybed for Artifort, the Netherlands, 1950s

About the Item

This Mid-Century Modern daybed was designed by Theo Ruth in 1947 and produced by Eugen Schmidt Soloform, Artifort in a limited series. That is a veritable reflection of the spectacularity, quality and comfort in the material world. The sublime and at the same time artistically banal form is created by a minimalist two-component composition high-quality material and non-schematic shape. This daybed has been reupholstered in premium alpaca-wool blend fabric in a light shade. The structure of the fabric, round, soft edges add a modernist streamline and the raised back understated elegance. The unprecedented contrast creates the slender, slightly conical wooden legs, which are made from patinated beech. The 1950s, original daybed remains an elusive model, an object of delight and inspiration for designers from all over the world. About the Designer: Theo Ruth The Dutch designer Theo Ruth was born in Maastricht in 1915. He trained as a furniture and interior designer at the Middelbare Kunstnijverheidsschool in Maastricht (which later became the Maastricht Academy of Arts). In 1936 he joined Artifort in Maastricht, where he specialized in the design of living room furniture. Just three years later, in 1939, he became head of the design and development department, a position he held until his death in 1971. Ruth was Artifort's first permanent designer, and he had a major impact on the company's design legacy. Among his most famous pieces are the 1952 Congo Chair and the 1953 Penguin Chair, both of which consist of two interlocking pieces that can be joined together without locks or screws (the original version of the Penguin Chair had a black back and white cushion to mimic its namesake). Thank to his job among Artifort, Ruth met famous designers such as Pierre Paulin and Geoffroy Harcourt. Theo Ruth's designs are known throughout the world as highlights of Dutch design.

Creator:

Artifort (Manufacturer),Theo Ruth (Designer)

Dimensions:

Height: 24.81 in (63 cm)Width: 32.68 in (83 cm)Depth: 77.17 in (196 cm)Seat Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)

Style:

Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Alpaca,Wood,Wool

Place of Origin:

Netherlands

Period:

Mid-20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1950

Condition:

Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. In very good condition . The item was recently reupholstered in a premium alpaca wool blend fabric. The renovation process has been carried out with careful attention to detail.

Seller Location:

ŁÓDŹ, PL

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU8410233730202

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Shop All Artifort

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.