Pair of Maurice Dufrêne 1925 Art Deco Caned Armchairs

Pair of Maurice Dufrêne 1925 Art Deco Caned Armchairs
This elegant pair of Art Deco armchairs, designed by Maurice Dufrêne and dating to 1925, showcases the refined craftsmanship and modern sensibility that defined the Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs. Dufrêne, a founding member of the Société des Artistes Décorateurs and Artistic Director of La Maîtrise, was a central figure in elevating French decorative arts to a new level of elegance and function during the early 20th century.

The chairs feature sculpted hardwood frames with gently curved arms, integrated with finely hand-caned panels on the sides and arched backs. A distinct floral carving on the inner back corners hints at Dufrêne's early decorative leanings while embracing the geometric clarity of the Art Deco movement. The original finish is warm and well-preserved, and each chair is complemented by a green velvet cushion, adding comfort without detracting from the architectural purity of the design. These pieces are emblematic of Dufrêne’s balance between traditional artisanal methods and the new decorative modernism that emerged after World War I.

This pair of chairs offers a rare opportunity to own a documented example of Dufrêne’s work from the height of his influence, particularly as exhibited at the pivotal 1925 Exposition in Paris.

Maurice Dufrène, born in Paris in 1876, studied at the École des Arts Décoratifs and emerged as a significant force in early 20th-century French design. By 1899, at just 23 years old, he became director of La Maison Moderne, a collaborative design collective that brought together leading artists to create elegant, reproducible furnishings and decorative objects. Following World War I, his work evolved into a style marked by carved scroll motifs and intricate marquetry medallions in boxwood, ebony, and ivory.

In 1921, Dufrène was appointed Artistic Director of La Maîtrise, the decorative arts studio of Galeries Lafayette, launching a highly prolific and influential chapter in his career. His presence reached its peak during the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, where he became one of the most visible and celebrated designers of the event. He created several landmark contributions: the interiors of the La Maîtrise pavilion, the petit salon in the Ambassade Française, a boutique for the Jungman furs , and a display of footwear along the Pont Alexandre III. His ability to merge artistry with functional design defined the modern French aesthetic promoted at the exposition.

Dufrène’s career continued to flourish into the 1930s, adapting fluidly to the evolving Art Deco movement. He began to incorporate materials like steel and glass, remaining at the forefront of innovation while staying true to the refined decorative language that had made him a defining figure of the 1925 Paris Exposition.