Art Deco Pony Hide Armchairs, France, 1930s

French Art Deco armchairs dating to the 1930s, defined by a low, rectilinear silhouette with broad squared armrests, a deep seat and a slightly inclined backrest. Its generous proportions are kept visually restrained, while small solid wooden feet lift the upholstered body just above the floor. The construction is characteristic of the period’s move towards cleaner, more architectural furniture forms, reducing ornament in favour of proportion, material and line.

Fully upholstered in natural pony hide, the armchair gains much of its character from the subtle variations inherent to the material. Warm ivory, cream and pale beige tones shift across the different panels, while changes in the direction and texture of the hair emphasize the individual sections of the construction. The natural surface brings softness to the otherwise rigorous form and gives each example its own nuanced appearance. Two matching armchairs are available and are sold individually. They form part of a matching Art Deco suite that also includes a corresponding two-seater sofa (separate listing).