Strikingly poetic and absolutely technical, the silhouette of the Orange Slice armchair (Model F437) is an original furniture art piece by the French maestro Pierre Paulin. Its lines unfold eternally on a chrome-plated steel base of crystalline finesse, with each seat boasting superb deep purple reflections that seem to sculpt the surrounding space. A rare, emotionally charged masterpiece, destined for collectors of contemporary design, Space Age furniture, and exceptional high-quality pieces.

Pierre Paulin & Artifort: Established Expertise

• The Story: Globally recognized as one of the greatest design virtuosos of the 20th century, Pierre Paulin (1927-2009) profoundly shaped the history of forms through his historic collaboration with the famous Dutch manufacturer Artifort. Where traditional furniture was content with rigid, rectilinear structures, Paulin sculpted comfort directly into the mass using metal structures coated with injected foam and stretch fabrics, defying weight, rigidity, and the perception of matter. His works, true pop and modernist icons, are exhibited in the world's largest museums (MoMA in New York, Centre Pompidou in Paris).

An Aesthetic Feat: The Deconstruction of Form

The Orange Slice series, introduced in the early 1960s, is emblematic of his work on life, play, and lightness:

The Main Visual Aspect (The Illusion of Slices): The armchair owes its famous name to its unique construction. Visually, it appears to be composed of two identical pressed beech shell orange slices facing each other, creating a playful, organic, and airy visual effect that changes radically depending on the angle from which it is viewed.

The Complexity of Design: Combining perfect, enveloping, and ergonomic seating comfort with a minimalist chrome-plated steel tube base without breaking the fluidity of the line requires a level of mastery that very few manufacturers possess.

Guaranteed Authenticity: The pieces have their gallery label indicating the artwork reference and official attribution to the Artifort manufacturer.

Features

Artist / Designer: Pierre Paulin (1927-2009)

Artwork Title / Model: Orange Slice (Model F437) – Sold as a pair

Manufacturer / Origin: Artifort (Netherlands)

Materials: Molded beech shells, high-resilience foam padding, bright chrome-finished steel tube base, original purple textured wool fabric upholstery.

Condition: Excellent vintage condition, superb chrome luster, clean fabric with a magnificent grain.

Dimensions: Seat height 44 cm / Width 82 cm / Backrest height 86 cm

💡 The Gallerist's Styling Tip

"This is a pair of armchairs that transform depending on their exposure. To reveal all the magic of the organic curves and the deep vibration of the purple fabric, place them imperatively near a source of natural light (like a large bay window) or on a graphic rug with contrasting patterns. The light will pass through the space between the two shells, illuminating the silhouettes as if they are coming to life in a state of weightlessness. I recommend arranging them slightly three-quarters to each other to create a visual dialogue and maximize their sculptural impact."