- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
Pierre Paulin Groovy Chairs, Artifort F580, in Ivory Boucle and Leather, a Pair

About the Item
- Creator:Pierre Paulin (Designer),Artifort (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 28 in (71.12 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)Seat Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. These chairs have been reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Culver City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1139230917222
Pierre Paulin
Pierre Paulin introduced a fresh breeze into French furniture design in the 1960s and ’70s, fostering a sleek new space-age aesthetic. Along with Olivier Mourgue, Paulin developed furnishings with flowing lines and almost surreal naturalistic forms. And his work became such a byword for chic, forward-looking design and emerging technologies that two French presidents commissioned him to create environments in the Élysée Palace in Paris.
Paulin was born in Paris to a family of artists and designers. He initially sought to become a ceramist and sculptor and was studying in the town of Vallauris near the Côte d'Azur — a center for pottery making, where Pablo Picasso spent his postwar summers crafting ceramics — but broke his hand in a fight. He enrolled at the École Camondo, the Paris interior design school. There, Paulin was strongly influenced by the work of Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Arne Jacobsen, as was reflected in his early creations for the manufacturer Thonet-France. It was at the Dutch firm Artifort, which he joined in 1958, where Paulin blossomed. In a few years, he produced several of his signature designs based on abstract organic shapes. These include the Butterfly chair (1963), which features a tubular steel frame and slung leather, and a group of striking seating pieces made with steel frames covered in polyurethane foam and tight jersey fabric: the Mushroom (1960), Ribbon (1966) and Tongue (1967) chairs.
In 1971, the Mobilier National — a department of France’s Ministry of Culture in charge of furnishing top-tier government offices and embassies — commissioned Paulin to redesign President Georges Pompidou’s private apartment in the Élysée Palace. In three years, Paulin transformed the staid rooms into futuristic environments with curved, fabric-clad walls and furnishings such as bookcases made from an arrangement of smoked-glass U shapes, flower-like pedestal chairs and pumpkin-esque loungers. Ten years later, the Mobilier National called on Paulin again, this time to furnish the private office of President François Mitterand. Paulin responded with an angular, postmodern take on neoclassical furniture, pieces that looked surprisingly at home in the paneled, Savonnerie-carpeted Louis XVI rooms. As those two Élysée Palace projects show, Paulin furniture works well both in a total decor or when used as a counterpoint to traditional pieces. You will see on 1stDibs that Pierre Paulin’s creations have a unique personality: bright and playful yet sophisticated and suave.
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.
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Culver City, CA
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1960's Ben Seibel Lounge Chair in Ivory BoucleBy Ben SeibelLocated in Culver City, CAThis lounge chair is absolutely stunning! Designed by Ben Seibel, who is much more well known for his mid century modern tableware designs, this piece echoes his organic modern flair...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Walnut
$3,000 Sale Price20% Off - Joe Colombo Elda Chair Wrapped in Grey Belgian Boucle, 1960'sBy Joe ColomboLocated in Culver City, CAThis chair is absolutely iconic-- designed by Joe Colombo in the 1960's this chair can be seen in the homes of tastemakers and celebrities like Alexander Werz and Jonathan Adler. Thi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
$13,600 Sale Price20% Off - Vladimir Kagan for Directional Furniture Swivel Lounge Chair in BoucleBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Culver City, CAAvailable right now we have this absolutely gorgeous lounge chair designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional furniture. This lounge chair is not only easy on the eyes, it's incredibl...Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
$5,200 Sale Price20% Off - 1950s Harvey Probber Style Ebonized Slipper Lounge Chairs in Heavy BoucleBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Culver City, CAThese chairs are simply stunning. These vintage slipper lounge chairs were designed in the 1950s in these style of Harvey Probber. These lounges have been ebonized and upholstered in...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsOak, Bouclé
- Vladimir Kagan Crescent Lounge Chair in Ivory Boucle and Black Leather, 1970'sBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Culver City, CAThis chair is incredible. Designed by Vladimir Kagan for Vladimir Kagan Designs, this crescent chair is about as luxurious and beautiful as it gets. Completely overhauled and upholst...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$9,200 Sale Price20% Off - Libel Lounge Chairs, a Pair, Rene Holten, 2000By Rene Holten, ArtifortLocated in Culver City, CAStunning modern design at its finest-- Artifort just never misses a beat, from Pierre Paulin, to Geoffrey Harcourt, top designers continue designing for this trendsetting legendary c...Category
Early 2000s Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
$3,500 / set
- Vintage Ribbon Chairs by Pierre Paulin, Model F582 for ArtifortBy Artifort, Pierre PaulinLocated in Los Angeles, CAWe have 3 of these rare 1960s Ribbon chairs by Pierre Paulin. Bases retain original Artifort labels, as well as the label for Turner Ltd., the New York showroom from which they were ...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Bentwood
- Pair of Early F580 Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s, in WhiteBy Artifort, Pierre PaulinLocated in Dallas, TXThe iconic groovy chair by Pierre Paulin. This is the early version which is more sculptural. We have restored with a Holly Hunt Great Plains fabric that is soft and inviting.Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Contemporary Minimal Round Coffee Center Table in Travertine Stone Natural PoresLocated in Porto, PTLunarys Center Table is an outstanding modern design piece. A key coffee table for a contemporary living room project seems to come directly from space. Made in travertine stone is p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
MaterialsTravertine
- Joe Colombo Elda Chair Wrapped in Grey Belgian Boucle, 1960'sBy Joe ColomboLocated in Culver City, CAThis chair is absolutely iconic-- designed by Joe Colombo in the 1960's this chair can be seen in the homes of tastemakers and celebrities like Alexander Werz and Jonathan Adler. Thi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
$13,600 Sale Price20% Off - Lätt 1.0 Contemporary Marble Console by RDLCBy Difane, Raul de la CerdaLocated in Mexico City, MXThe concept is based on the essence of the material itself, with a clean and brutalist style: straight lines, geometric shapes, fewer ornaments, less noise and more naturalness. The ...Category
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsMarble
From $6,959 / item
- Pair of Early F580 Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s, in WhiteBy Artifort, Pierre PaulinLocated in Dallas, TXThe iconic groovy chair by Pierre Paulin. This is the early version which is more sculptural. We have restored with a Holly Hunt Great Plains fabric that is soft and inviting.Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of 1st Edition Pierre Paulin F580 Groovy Chairs by Artifort, 1966By Pierre Paulin, ArtifortLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandPair of 1st edition F580 ‘Groovy’ 'M' lounge chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort – Netherlands, 1966. The chairs have been beautifully new upholstered by our craftsman reupholsterer...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Pierre Paulin 1st Edition F580 Groovy Armchair for Artifort, New UpholsteryBy Pierre Paulin, ArtifortLocated in The Hague, NLGroovy lounge chair designed by Pierre Paulin in 1972 and manufactured for Artifort, Holland. Model No: F580, or also known as "M" chair. Chair has been newly upholstered in off-wh...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort 1966 Model F580By Pierre PaulinLocated in San Diego, CA*Price includes labor for new upholstery. Fabric is COM (customer own material)* Designed in 1966, this is a lovely and very comfortable set of Artifort Groovy Chairs (or "M" Chair...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of 1st Edition Pierre Paulin F580 Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin, ArtifortLocated in St Louis Park, MNThe groovy chairs are super iconic. Known for their sculptural shape, they sit extremely comfortably as well. Available, we have a pair of 1st edition Groovy chairs designed by Pierr...Category
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Set of 2 Model F580 Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1966By Pierre Paulin, ArtifortLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLLovely and very comfortable set of Artifort Groovy Chairs (or "M" Chairs), model F580. This model is designed by Pierre Paulin in 1966. These particular chairs are the very first e...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
Recently Viewed
View MoreRead More

Exploring Our Current Obsession with Sixties Style
A new exhibition in Philadelphia stars a complex decade that continues to inspire.

Pierre Paulin Is Still Groovy after All These Years
A sprawling show at the Centre Pompidou in Paris spotlights the famed furniture designer’s oeuvre, including rooms for two French presidents.
The 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Trusted Global Delivery