André Arbus sycamore mohair velvet desk or vanity table chair 1934

This vanity table chair, or bureau de dame chair, was designed by André Arbus in the 1930s, and perfectly embodies the refinement of French Art Deco. Crafted in solid sycamore, it reflects Arbus’s mastery of proportions, and the elegant curvature characteristic of his work. Its tapered, gently curved legs support a cleanly designed half-moon backrest and a generously rounded seat, showcasing precise attention to volume and form. Fully restored, it has been reupholstered in a luxuriously soft mohair velvet, enhancing the elegance and sophistication of its silhouette. The original invoice, from September 1934, is available.
André Arbus (1903–1969) was a French designer, sculptor, and decorator known for his refined and elegant style. Born into a family of cabinetmakers in Toulouse, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts while learning traditional woodworking in his father’s workshop. In 1925, he exhibited his first piece, a dressing table created with painter Marx Saint-Saëns, at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. In the 1930s, he opened a gallery in Paris and became known for his neo-classical furniture enriched with precious materials such as bronze, ivory, and lacquer. His creations blended traditional craftsmanship with modernist sensibilities, favoring clean lines and carefully balanced proportions. During the 1940s and 1950s, he undertook public and private commissions, including ocean liner interiors, and created bronze “furniture-sculptures.” Arbus remains a key figure in modern French decorative arts, bridging tradition and contemporary design.