Items Similar to Javier Carvajal Granada Swivel Lounge Chairs for Martinez Medina, Spain 1960s
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
Javier Carvajal Granada Swivel Lounge Chairs for Martinez Medina, Spain 1960s
About the Item
This is an extraordinarily rare pair of vintage Granada swivel lounge chairs designed by Javier Carvajal and produced by Martinez Medina in Valencia, Spain in the early 1960s. They are very substantial and the oil-rubbed brushed bronze swiveling bases retain the original patina. The chairs were reupholstered in black waxed bison hides with new high density foam. The restoration was executed with the same level of precision and quality craftsmanship as the originals.
In 1963, the architect Javier Carvajal obtained first prize in the competition to build the Spanish Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair, which would earn him an Award from the Rockefeller Foundation leading to international recognition. The Institute of American Architects corroborated this, granting him the certificate of excellence for the project.
Destined to be placed in that magnificent pavilion, Carvajal thought about a piece of furniture that would see the light at the same time as the building. That piece was the Granada chair, destined to be iconic, which would be produced by the Valencian firm Martínez Medina, a leader in product manufacture, and which would become a highly valued and timeless work with extraordinary aesthetic qualities.
The architects of the nineteen-fifties became, thanks to their obsessions, and without being very aware of the fact, advocates of industrial design. And Javier Carvajal was obsessed with the design of the pomegranate (‘granada’, in Spanish).
As explained by José Miguel Martínez Medina, CEO of the Valencian company with more than 120 years’ experience in furniture design and one of the most important in the country, “the design of the chair reminded Carvajal of a pomegranate cut into four pieces.”
Martínez Medina and Javier Carvajal were introduced by the interior designer Paco Muñoz, of “Casa y Jardín”, who led the architect to those who would transform his obsession into a real piece, into an iconic chair, the company that had the technology necessary to achieve this difficult product.
The first prototype made had more rounded forms, which architect and manufacturers, the father and uncle of the current CEO of Martínez Medina, honed and redesigned until the definitive chair took shape.
The composition of the chair is very complex, with stamped steel finished in copper, a self-supporting glass fibre frame and polyurethane foam modules, all of this with a base in bronze. “It was a difficult piece, which moreover was made in record time so that it would be ready for the Pavilion in New York”, explains Martínez Medina.
It was a design that triumphed, “it was in all the foyers of banks, in hotels … it was even seen in the halls of some of the buildings of the Gran Vía. It was a highly sought-after chair; it was a good quality item and it was sculptural.”
The professional relationship between Martínez Medina and Javier Carvajal was very good and very fruitful. Together, they made embassies and hotels. Carvajal, an excellent architect, was not very prodigious in product design, although somewhat more so in interior design, being responsible for the interiors of the shops of Loewe in Calle Goya and Calle Serrano, in Madrid.
Martínez Medina remembers that “despite not being very well-liked, perhaps because he belonged to Opus Dei or perhaps because he was a monarchist, Carvajal was a very brilliant architect. He drew all the buildings he designed on vellum and represented them on transparencies, floor by floor. He was a very precise and very clean professional.”
credit: World Design Spotlight
- Creator:Javier Carvajal (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27 in (68.58 cm)Width: 31 in (78.74 cm)Depth: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1963
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. original patina to bases - dark oil rubbed finish with light surface corrosion and minor imperfections - Leather and Foam Modules professionally restored to the highest possible standard.
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:Seller: SKU000020571stDibs: LU878542033112
About the Seller
4.7
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 1997
1stDibs seller since 2009
384 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
Associations
20th Century Specialists
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Dallas, TX
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllLigne Roset Facett Swivel Lounge Chair in Royal Blue Divina Melange Wool
By Ligne Roset
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptionaly cool Facett Lounge Chair designed by Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset. This example was made specifically for the Exxon Mobile Headquarters in Houston and appa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Swivel Chairs
Materials
Wool
Charles Eames Aluminum Group Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Dallas, TX
Charles and Ray Eames 'Aluminum Group' lounge chair model EA124 and ottoman model EA125.
This is an early production one-owner example that has been very well ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Karuselli Tilt & Swivel Lounge Chair by Yrjo Kukkapuro for Haimi Finland 1960s
By Yrjö Kukkapuro, Haimi
Located in Dallas, TX
Karuselli tilt and swivel lounge chair by Yrjo Kukkapuro for Haimi of Finland in original terracotta leather with a chocolate brown fiberglass frame. This model 418 easy chair is con...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Leather, Fiberglass
Bernard Rancillac Elephant Chair Prototype 1960s
By Bernard Rancillac
Located in Dallas, TX
This example is not one of the chairs produced as part of the limited edition series of 100 in the 1980's. This example is one of the original prototype and is embossed with the Ranc...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
TH Robsjohn Gibbings Lounge Chairs For Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of classic lounge chairs model WWZ by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings. Constructed of walnut, both chairs have been professionally restored with a luxurious wine velvet by Pere...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
$8,800 / set
P40 Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani Chair for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production P40 lounge chair designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s. The lounge, with an extendable footrest, is designed to recline and can be set in several posit...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Brass, Steel
You May Also Like
Leather Lounge Chair in the Manner of Javier Carvajal - 1960s
By Javier Carvajal
Located in Berlin, DE
Leather Lounge Chair in the Manner of Javier Carvajal - 1960s .
We recommend to reupholster the leather. We can also offer this service in our in house atelier.
Category
Vintage 1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Midcentury swivel desk chair - Spain, 1960s.
Located in London, GB
Reminiscent of Eero Saarinen’s influential Conference design, these substantial swivel desk chairs wrap the sitter in padded leather. Generous rectangular armrests with an unusual do...
Category
Vintage 1960s Spanish Swivel Chairs
Materials
Suede
1960s Arne Norell Swivel Lounge Chair for Vatne, Norway
By Arne Norell, Vatne Møbler
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Arne Norell Swivel Lounge Chair for Vatne, Norway (1960s)
A stunning 1960s swivel lounge chair designed by Arne Norell for Vatne Møbler, Norway. This chair features buttery soft co...
Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Swivel Chairs
Materials
Leather
Henry W. Klein Leather Swivel Lounge Chair 1960s
By Henry W Klein
Located in Handewitt, DE
Henry W. Klein for Bramin Denmark, 1960s brown leather lounge chair with tilt and rotation function. Chromed base.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
'Strictly Spanish' Swivel Chair by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, 1960s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large sized 'Strictly Spanish' swivel throne chair by Adrian Pearsall was designed and produced in the 1960s by Craft Associates. This gorgeous example was newly reupholstered i...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wood, Fabric
$3,700 Sale Price
22% Off
Pair of 1960s Decorative Upholstered Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1960s decorative upholstered swivel lounge chairs. The chairs have down-filled cushioned seats.
Category
Vintage 1960s Hollywood Regency Swivel Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
