Mid-Century Modern Armchairs in Hardwood and Leather Michel Arnault, c. 1960s

These sleek armchairs in Imbuia wood and reupholstered lime green leather were designed by Michael Arnault in the 1960s. In spite of their light structure, these chairs are very comfortable. This lot belonged to our wood restorer Paulo. This model became quite popular during Brazil’s industrialization in the sixties, as shown on the ads of the time.

What makes this set so special is the sculptural shape with a tall and slim backrest that also makes it so comfortable!

A gorgeous set will look great in any mid-century styled home as well as modern, contemporary or eclectic environment. The set is showcased in our showroom next to a Joaquim Tenreiro sofa and an armchair, ottoman and coffee table by Jorge Zalzsupin and the convo looks nothing less than spectacular.

About Michel Arnault:

Michel Arnoult was a French-born designer who later became an adoptive Brazilian, and he is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the Ready-To-Assemble furniture (RTA) and flat-packaging. In the early 1950s, he arrived in Brazil and quickly made friends with some of the leading figures in modern architecture, such as Oscar Niemeyer and Cândido Portinari. At the time, there was a shortage of furniture suitable for the smaller spaces in social housing, which prompted Michel Arnoult to design simple but functional RTA furniture with his company Mobilia Contemporanea

His innovative and daring approach at the time proved incredibly successful, earning him several prestigious awards, including the Roberto Simonsen Prize for industrial design in 1964, and the Museo da Casa Brasileira Prize in 2003. His legacy continues to inspire designers to this day.