'50s Jean Royère 'Ours Polaire' Armchair in Oak and Velvet Upholstery
About the Item
- Creator:Jean Royère (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.96 in (71 cm)Width: 25.99 in (66 cm)Depth: 24.02 in (61 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU998527643272
Jean Royère
World traveler, polyglot and avant-garde visionary Jean Royère (1902–81) is one of the biggest names in French mid-century design. He was fascinated by different materials, such as raffia and zebrawood, and aesthetics from around the world, from Scandinavian modernism to the traditions of the Middle East. Owing to this venturesome spirit, Royère produced an eclectic body of work that truly doesn’t fit a singular style. One light fixture might have organic shapes reminiscent of Art Nouveau, while a table would be crafted with minimalist straw marquetry.
Born in Paris, Royère studied classics at Cambridge University and then worked for an import-export company. In 1931, he switched gears to design, studying cabinetmaking in the workshops of Faubourg Saint-Antoine and furniture making under the tutelage of Pierre Gouffé. He made his debut in interior design in 1934 when he won a design contest for the brasserie in the Hotel Carlton on the Champs-Élysées.
Royère’s most famous piece of furniture was his biomorphic Boule sofa, sometimes playfully called the Ours Polaire, or Polar Bear. Designed for his mother in 1947, the curved sofa with its fuzzy white velvet shocked the French interior design world when it was displayed at the Art et Industrie exhibition, but it proved enduringly popular with customers, such as the Shah of Iran, who purchased several for his daughter. Royère would continue to design furniture and interiors for an elite clientele, including the kings of Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Royère retired in 1972, then moved to the United States in 1980. After he died a year later, his archives were given to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. His works continue to be highly coveted — Kanye West, for instance, once tweeted that the Polar Bear sofa is his favorite piece of furniture. In 2016, Galerie Patrick Seguin in Paris opened a retrospective of his distinctive designs, from the plush 1943 Eléphanteau chair to the 1963 Tour Eiffel table with its elegant metal supports.
Find vintage Jean Royère tables, storage cabinets and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Paris, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- '40s Jean Royère 'Sangle' Armchair in cotton and woodBy Jean RoyèreLocated in Paris, FRJean Royère 'Sangle' armchair 1946 Wood, cotton Measures: 81 x 53 x 55 cmCategory
Vintage 1940s French Armchairs
MaterialsCotton, Wood
- 20th Century Georges "Djo" Bourgeois Chair in velvet and metalBy Georges Djo-BourgeoisLocated in Paris, FRGeorges "Djo" Bourgeois (1898-1937) Chair Metal structure, back and seat in brown velvet. Measures: Height 70 cm/27.5 in., width 56 cm/22 in., depth 55 cm/21.6 in.Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- '50s unique Maxime Old Sideboard in metal, bronze and ash veneerBy Maxime OldLocated in Paris, FRAn exceptional and unique large metal and oak veneer sideboard forming a cabinet, composed by two parts. They also can be presented with an angle. This piece was part of the furnitur...Category
Vintage 1950s French Modern Sideboards
MaterialsMetal, Bronze
- Alexandre Noll's bowl from the '50sLocated in Paris, FRAlexandre Noll's coupe vide-poches 1950 Rosewood 4,5 x 29 x 14 cm SignedCategory
Vintage 1950s Decorative Boxes
MaterialsRosewood
- 20th Century Koloman Moser and Josef Hoffmann Austria Armchair Beech PlywoodBy Josef Hoffmann, Koloman MoserLocated in Paris, FRKoloman Moser (1868-1918) and Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956). Bent and polished beech and plywood, dyed to rosewood, brass inlays, renewed upholstery. Measures: Height 70 cm (27.5 in.)...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Armchairs
MaterialsBeech, Plywood
- Odile Noll's rosewood plate from the '50sBy Odile NollLocated in Paris, FROdile Noll's rosewood plate 1950Category
Vintage 1950s Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsWood, Rosewood
- Pair of Mid Century Polar Armchairs Jean Royere StyleBy Jean RoyèreLocated in Los Angeles, CAStep into the timeless embrace of design history with this exquisite Pair of 2 Vintage Mid Century Polar Armchairs by Jean Royère, crafted in the iconic...Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Italian 50s ArmchairsLocated in Los Angeles, CANiceley shaped comfortable chairs with delicately carved wooden legsCategory
Vintage 1950s Italian Armchairs
- 50s-60s ArmchairBy Non-Standard Furniture and LightingLocated in Milano, ITArmchair with foam padding, fabric upholstery and enameled metal legs. Restaurata. A armchair suitable for ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Poltroncina Anni 50-60By Non-Standard Furniture and LightingLocated in Milano, ITPoltroncina in legno di faggio tinto con imbottitura in espanso e rivestimento in tessuto; una poltroncina da rivisitare per renderla adatta ad un ambiente che voglia riprendere uno ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- Elegant Pair of "Ours Polaire" ArmchairsLocated in Dallas, TXSimple and pure form! Distinguished by their originality, these elegantly rounded beasts in luxurious olive green velvet. The soft round form of the ours, which practically eliminate...Category
Mid-20th Century American Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Art Deco Armchairs in Oak and Velvet Upholstery, the Netherlands, 1930sLocated in Almelo, NLArt Deco armchairs in oak and velvet upholstery, The Netherlands 1930s. Art Deco armchairs in oak and velvet upholstery, The Netherlands 1930s. These fine lounge chairs would make ...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Oak
