Dutch Design Congo Chair Designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950
View Similar Items
Dutch Design Congo Chair Designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 31.89 in (81 cm)Width: 21.66 in (55 cm)Depth: 33.08 in (84 cm)Seat Height: 13.78 in (35 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Chair is in great condition very minor traces of use and age.
- Seller Location:Ijzendijke, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU299738510183
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.
- Rare Living Room Set / Sofa and Lounge Chair F109, Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950By Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Ijzendijke, NLRare living room set model F109 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950. High end Dutch design. The set is very comfortable and displays Theo Ruth's famous organic lines. The unique look gra...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Rare Pair of Model 2254 Lounge Chairs by Børge Mogensen with Ottomans 1950s WoolBy Fredericia, Børge MogensenLocated in Ijzendijke, NLRare pair of Model 2254. ''Slaedestolen'' lounge chairs with matching pair of Model 2248. ottomans. Designed by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia in the 1950s. The Model 2254. lounge cha...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wool, Oak
- Pair of Danish Design Paper Knife Lounge Chairs by Kai Kristiansen in Teak BlackBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Ijzendijke, NLRare pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs in teak and black leather (faux) design by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen in 1955. Gorgeous organic design style sculpted in s...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Teak
$9,070 / setFree Shipping - Dutch Design Minimalist Coat Rack by Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro 1950 Teak MetalBy Tjerk Reijenga, PilastroLocated in Ijzendijke, NLStriking Dutch Design coat rack from the 1950s , superb minimalism by Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro. The black metal combined with teak creates a luxury feeling and displays the mini...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsMetal
$1,170 / itemFree Shipping - Luxurious Antique Italian Lounge Chairs in Rococo / Baroque Style Brown BeigeLocated in Ijzendijke, NLA wonderful pair of luxurious antique Italian lounge chairs in Rococo / Baroque style. The chairs are recently re-upholstered and have a royal a...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Rococo Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$4,062 / setFree Shipping - Set of Four Pyramid Chairs Designed by Wim Rietveld for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963By Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de CirkelLocated in Ijzendijke, NLSet of four famous ''Pyramid'' chairs Designed by Dutch designer Wim Rietveld for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1963. These Pyramid chairs have a grey/blue Petrol colored frame and light woode...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Midcentury Congo Chair by Theo Ruth for ArtifortBy Theo RuthLocated in Vosselaar, BEA good 1950s Congo chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Artifort was founded in 1890 and still exist. Starting out as a Classic seating company th...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBeech
- Congo Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLStunning Mid-Century Modern Congo Chair, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Iconic Dutch design from the 50s. The back and the seater are 2 separate pieces that easily fits togethe...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Theo Ruth for Artifort 'Congo' Easy Chairs in Patterned FabricBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Waalwijk, NLTheo Ruth for Artifort, ‘Congo’ lounge chairs, wood, fabric, The Netherlands, 1952 Set of iconic ‘Congo’ easy chairs by Theo Ruth. These chairs have a unique construction, forced by...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- 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 & Pinguin Lounge Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, the Netherlands, 1957By Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Appeltern, GelderlandBeautiful set of “Congo” and “Pinguin”lounge chairs designed by Theo Ruth and manufactured by Artifort, The Netherlands 1957. Elegant design because of the beautiful cherrywooden leg...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, 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 red leathe...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood