Easy chair Penguin, model 107, by Theo Ruth, for Artifort, Netherlands 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 35.04 in (89 cm)Width: 30.32 in (77 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Antwerpen, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7893236918472
Theo Ruth
Among the pantheon of talented individuals who have worked for Artifort, Theo Ruth was the acclaimed Dutch furniture manufacturer’s first permanent designer. Ruth’s work significantly advanced Artifort’s laudable reputation, specifically through his designs for armchairs like the 1952 Congo chair and the 1953 Penguin chair.
Ruth was born in 1915 in Maastricht, the Netherlands, where Artifort was established. Founded by Jules Wagemans, Artifort began as Wagemans & Van Tuinen in 1890 before rebranding to Artifort in 1928. Ruth studied furniture and interior design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht and joined the Artifort team in 1936.
Ruth’s long tenure as its head of design and development included overseeing the hiring of key individuals like Artifort’s aesthetic consultant and designer Kho Liang Ie, British furniture designer Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI and French interior designer Pierre Paulin RDI.
Following Ruth’s death in 1971, Artifort has carried on his legacy of innovative furniture through collaborations with numerous top designers, such as Jasper Morrison, Wolfgang C.R. Mezger, René Holten, Claesson Koivisto Rune, Ilse Crawford and Luca Nichetto.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Theo Ruth seating, including lounge chairs, sofas and more.
Artifort
The sterling reputation that Artifort enjoys isn’t limited to the innovative upholstery and fluid, organic shapes for which its products are widely known — the legendary Dutch brand’s vintage seating and other furniture is also celebrated for its embodiment of functionality, comfort and quality. These are among the principles that underpin the philosophy toward modern furniture design at Artifort, which has been at the crossroads of furniture and art for over 125 years.
Prior to 1928, the year Artifort officially became a brand, Jules Wagemans had a small upholstery business in Maastricht, the Netherlands. After setting up in 1890, his son, Henricus Wagemans, broadened the scope of the company to include furniture production. By the end of the 1920s, their showroom in Amsterdam had made them a recognizable brand across the Netherlands.
Then named H. Wagemans & Van Tuien, the company changed its name to Artifort after the economic recession. Artifort came from two Latin words meaning “art” and “strong” — a perfect description for the style of each design and the manufacturer’s intention to create sturdy furnishings. Artifort’s reputation for durable armchairs and sofas endures, and vintage editions of this seating are now family heirlooms in many homes.
Artifort became a magnet for high-profile and up-and-coming designers alike. Many furniture designers’ careers began thanks to collaborations with Artifort, such as Dutch industrial and jewelry designer Gijs Bakker and Indonesian-born designer Kho Liang Ie. Also known for designing the interiors at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, Kho Liang Ie was an aesthetic consultant at Artifort and used his expertise to turn the company into a world-class brand. Perhaps his largest contribution, however, was attracting the talents of French furniture and interior designer Pierre Paulin and English furniture designer Geoffrey D. Harcourt.
Paulin’s bright and colorful lounge chairs, such as his Orange Slice chair and Mushroom chair, are still central to the Artifort identity. The revered designer not only introduced new construction techniques to Artifort furniture, but contributed fresh materials, Pop art colors and dazzling shapes to the mid-century modern era as a whole, while Harcourt deserves credit for popularizing Artifort internationally and extending their reach into foreign markets.
Another talent boom in the 1990s at Artifort yielded collaborations with Jasper Morrison, Wolfgang Mezger and René Holten. Iranian designer Khodi Feiz was named art director in 2014 and has continued the tradition of recruiting top designers such as Claesson Koivisto Rune, Ilse Crawford and Luca Nichetto.
Find a collection of vintage Artifort lounge chairs, tables and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Antwerpen, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Brothers Thonet Set of 8 Armchairs for Ligna Drevounia, Czechoslovakia, 1960sBy Ligna, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbHLocated in Antwerpen, BESet of 8 armchairs ‘model 209’ produced by Ligna Drevounia in Czechoslovakia, who had the official license from the brothers Thonet during the 1960’s a...Category
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsCane, Bentwood
- Henning Kjaernulf Set of 4 Dining Chairs ‘Model 225’ for Bruno Hansen, 1960sBy Fritz Hansen, Henning KjærnulfLocated in Antwerpen, BESet of 4 dining chairs designed by Henning Kjaernulf and produced by Bruno Hansen in Denmark in the 1960’s. These ‘model 225’ hoop back chairs will probably have a lot of appeal on t...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Kai Kristiansen Set of 4 Dining Chairs "Model 31", Denmark, 1960sBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Antwerpen, BESet of 4 dining chairs ‘Model 31’, designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced in Denmark in the 1960s. The chairs feature a solid, teak wooden frame with a beige upholstery in velours....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Kai Kristiansen Set of 2 Easy Chairs 'Paperknife' or ‘Model 121’, Denmark, 1955By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Antwerpen, BESet of 2 easy chairs, designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Magnus Olesen in Denmark starting from 1955. These ‘model 121’s’ are also called the ‘Paper knife’ chairs because of...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Arne Hovmand Olsen Dining Chairs for Mogens Kold, Set of 4, Danish Design, 1960sBy Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-OlsenLocated in Antwerpen, BESet of 4 dining chairs designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen and produced by Mogens Kold in Denmark in the 1960s. Made of solid teak and teak veneer with a greyish blue seating. Newly uphol...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- William Watting Sideboard for Fristho, Dutch Design, 1960sBy William WattingLocated in Antwerpen, BESideboard designed by William Watting and produced by Fristho Franeker in the Netherlands around 1960. This sideboard has a walnut veneer body with 4 brass tapered legs underneath. E...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Penguin Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLStunning Mid-Century Modern penguin chair, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Iconic Dutch design from the 50s. The back and the seater are 2 separate pieces that easily fits toge...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Armchair Model 115 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Paris, FRArmchair model 115 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950s Beech wooden base.Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Armchairs
MaterialsBeech
- Artifort Theo Ruth Cocktail 'Lady' Chair, Netherlands, 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Voorburg, NLBeautiful Artifort cocktail chair, designed by Theo Ruth in the early fifties. The chair is in unique condition with beautiful snow-white Alcantara upholstery in very good condition....Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Artifort Theo Ruth 'Gentleman's' Cocktail Chair, Netherlands 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Voorburg, NLBeautiful Artifort Cocktail Chair, designed by Theo Ruth in the early 1950s. The chair is in unique condition with beautiful snow-white Alcantara upholstery in very good condition. T...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Congo Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLStunning Mid-Century Modern Congo Chair, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Iconic Dutch design from the 50s. The back and the seater are 2 separate pieces that easily fits togethe...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Set of 2 "F115" Lounge Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1960'sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLStunning set of lounge chairs, designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort in the 60's. The frame of the chairs is executed in an ingenious black coated metal frame. The seat seems to lean...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal