Theo Ruth Mid Century Sofa for Artifort 1956
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 32.29 in (82 cm)Width: 51.58 in (131 cm)Depth: 27.56 in (70 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950-1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Tilburg, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5892238993972
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Tilburg, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Jan Armgardt 'Volare' Two Seater Sofa for Leolux 1990sBy Jan ArmgardtLocated in Tilburg, NLJan Armgardt 'Volare' Two Seater Sofa for Leolux, The Netherlands, 1990s. This wire frame sofa is one of the most interesting Leolux pieces, designed ...Category
Late 20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Verner Panton Cloverleaf Sofa 5 Sections for VerpanLocated in Tilburg, NLVerner Panton cloverleaf sectional sofa. Current production. This listing shows a 5-piece Cloverleaf Sofa. Seats at least 9 people in a very interestin...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Verner Panton 'Easy' Sofa 1963 for VerpanBy Verner PantonLocated in Tilburg, NLVerner Panton 'Easy' sofa for Verpan. Designed in 1963. New, current production. With its round shapes and layered design, the Easy collection stands out as one of the most visual...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Garcìa Cumini 'Fold' Sectional Sofa for Verzelloni ItalyBy Verzelloni, García CuminiLocated in Tilburg, NLGarcìa Cumini 'Fold' sectional sofa for Verzelloni Italy. New, current production. From the 'Fold' seating series. More specific: a combination of a chaise longue and an end-piec...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Verner Panton Cloverleaf Sofa 3 Parts in 'Harald 3 #982' by Kvadrat for VerpanBy Verner PantonLocated in Tilburg, NLVerner Panton cloverleaf sectional sofa. Current production. This listing shows a 3-piece Cloverleaf Sofa in dark green 'Harald 3 #982' by Kvadrat. Sea...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Lievore + Altherr Désile Park 'Davos' Sofa 270 for Verzelloni ItalyBy Alberto Lievore, Jeannette AltherrLocated in Tilburg, NLLievore + Altherr Désile Park 'Davos' Sofa 270 for Verzelloni, Italy. New, current production. Davos curved sofa has a rounded line and an elegant and rigorous design, it offers h...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Mid Century 2-Seat Sofa by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLStunning Mid-Century Modern 2-seat sofa, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort in the 50s. This lovely sofa is just restored with new Italian bouclé fabric, it is in perfect conditio...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Congo Sofa by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Appeltern, GelderlandSofa 'Congo' by Theo Ruth for Artifort, newly upholstered with Luxury Siberian long pile faux fur upholstery fabric The Netherlands, 1950s This Congo sofa is by Theo Ruth for Artifor...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBeech
- 1940s Sofa Set by Theo Ruth for ArtifortBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in HEVERLEE, BEVery rare set of 3 armchairs and bench designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort made from leather and oak with block turned legs and arms. In 1936 Ruth joined Wagemans and Van Tuinen, first as a furniture maker and then, from 1939, as head of the design and development department. Ruth was the first permanent designer at Artifort furniture. 1940s - Netherlands The chairs are beautiful made with quality oak and nice patinated but comfortable leather seats...Category
Vintage 1940s Dutch Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Theo Ruth for Artifort Sofa in Beige Corduroy UpholsteryBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Waalwijk, NLTheo Ruth for Artifort, sofa, fabric, wood, The Netherlands, 1970. A Dutch settee in beige corduroy upholstery by Theo Ruth. The back tilts slightly backward and has the recognizab...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Artifort Theo Ruth Cocktail Sofa, Netherlands, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Voorburg, NLBeautiful Artifort cocktail sofa, designed by Theo Ruth in the early fifties. The sofa is in unique condition with beautiful snow-white alcantara uphols...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Theo Ruth for Artifort Sofa in Yellow and Black UpholsteryBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Waalwijk, NLTheo Ruth for Artifort, sofa, fabric, wood, Netherlands 1970. A Dutch settee in a two-toned, printed fabric by Theo Ruth. The back tilts slightly backward and has the recognizable ...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Settees
MaterialsFabric, Wood