SOLD
'Little' tulip chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort Holland. Model No. F545. Offered 5 chairs in two different colors. One in red (A) and four in pink/red (B). Colorful fabric-covered latex-foam upholstered steel frame on polished chromed aluminum swivel base. Marked: Pierre Paulin Artifort on the back and a stamp Artifort underside the base. Design 1965, manufactured circa 2000.
Dimensions: height 30.0 in. (76 cm), width 25.2 in. (64 cm), depth 22.4 in. (57 cm), seat height 17.3 inches (44 cm).
 
Price per individual item. The orange chairs on the picture are sold.
 
Pierre Paulin (1927-2009) was initially trained as a ceramist and sculptor. But by enrolling in the Camondo School of Applied Arts in his native Paris, Paulin embarked on a remarkable career as a furniture designer. At this prestigious institution Paulin’s talents were soon noticed by two prominent teachers: Maxime Old and Marcel Gascoin. Especially through Gascoin, for whom he also worked for a while, Paulin got in touch with many leading people in the French design scene of the early 1950s. Paulin’s breakthrough came in 1953 when he presented his designs for Meubles TV and the French branch of Thonet. International attention came from Holland in particular, as the Dutch entrepreneur Abraham Polak acquired a license for one of Paulin’s chairs. Only few years later, in 1957 Paulin teamed up with Artifort, another Dutch company. The collaboration between Artifort and Paulin turned out to be long lasting and very fruitful. During the 1960s and 1970s Paulin designed a large number of models, many of them became (instant) classics. In 1972 Paulin was invited to furnish the private apartments of French president Pompidou. Over the years Paulin received many awards and his works are included in all major (design) museum collections.
 
Literature:
- E. Verdenne and A-M. Fevre, Pierre Paulin (Paris 2001).
- Exhibition Catalogue Pierre Paulin: Le Design au Pouvoir (Galerie des Gobelins, Paris 2008).
- Ch. and P. Fiell, 1000 Chairs (Cologne 1997).
- Exhibition Catalogue Design Since 1945 (Philadelphia Museum of Art 1983-1984).