Maurice Dufrène giltwood brown velvet armchairs circa 1925

This very elegant pair of Clématite armchairs was designed in 1925 by Maurice Dufrène for the workshops of La Maîtrise, the decorative arts department of Galeries Lafayette, where he served as artistic director at the time. This emblematic model perfectly illustrates the Art Deco aesthetic of the mid 1920s, in which the lines take over ornament. The backrest and armrests form a continuous, enveloping curve evocative of a floral corolla, while the balanced proportions lend the piece a presence that is both sculptural and refined. The giltwood structure elegantly highlights the design of the furniture and reinforces the architectural reading of the piece. The armchairs rest on tapered, slightly curved legs, characteristic of the formal vocabulary developed by Dufrène, combining French tradition with decorative modernity. The generous seat and tufted backrest provide a high level of comfort, further enhanced by a brown velvet upholstery that subtly contrasts with the gilded base. This Clématite model bears witness to Maurice Dufrène’s central role within La Maîtrise, where he sought to democratize elegant, legible, and coherent furniture, intended both for prestigious interiors and for the large decorative ensembles of the era.

This pair of armchairs has been fully restored, regilded, and reupholstered, and is in museum condition. A sofa, from the same line, is also available, for a full living room set.

Literature : La Maîtrise des Galeries Lafayette, directeur artistique Maurice Dufrène, Hors concours - Toutes classes exposition des arts décoratifs de 1925, page 18.