60s Pierre Paulin ‘F427’ little globe fauteuil for Artifort

Artifort is the most well known Dutch design furniture brand and has been around for more than 130 years. Founded by Jules Wagemans in 1890 in Maastricht. Since 1928 the company carries the brand name Artifort, derived from the Latin word ‘Ars’ which means ‘art or skill’ and ‘fortis’ which stands for ‘strong and powerful’. The word ‘comfort’ can also be derived from the brand name. The major breakthrough as an innovative and leading furniture company came in the early 1930s when the company started using Epeda innerspring. A product and technique that was already used in mattresses and car seats, but not yet in the furniture industry.

In the 1950s it was mainly Kho Liang Ie who set the tone with Artifort with his great knowledge of design, aesthetics and his international contacts. He was capable to position Artifort still on wishlists of collectors today with his amazing designs. Collaboration with top designers such as Pierre Paulin, Geoffery Harcourt, Jasper Morrison, Wolfgang Mezger ensured that Artifort always remained a leader, as a design furniture brand. In the 1990s, new Artifort factories were built in the Netherlands and Belgium, which actually became a new guarantee for the future of the Artifort brand.

Pierre Paulin designed the little globe F427 and F427B in 1960. (The B version is 4cm higher). It is a swivel chair and this piece is from the early 60s and in original condition. Paulin always designed furniture as “First it has to be functional but between first and second it also has to be beautiful”. If you wonder how the chair got it’s name ‘little globe’ you only have to step away from the chair and take a look at a distance. It was an actual issue in the 1960s when space programs started around 1965 and the first moon visit In 1969. If Paulin was in this mood when he designed this little globe fauteuil is unknown but it matches the decade of this design.

This little globe has a beautiful equal aged patina in the fabric and is brandmarked and in good condition consistent with age and use.