Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort Swivel Office Chair in Deep Purple Upholstery
About the Item
- Creator:Geoffrey Harcourt (Designer),Artifort (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.44 in (90 cm)Width: 26.19 in (66.5 cm)Depth: 27.17 in (69 cm)Seat Height: 25.4 in (64.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftsmen in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. Check ‘About the item’ or ask our design specialists for detailed information on the condition.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:
Geoffrey Harcourt
When it came to creating his visually pleasing armchairs, lounge chairs and office chairs, designer Geoffrey Harcourt stuck to his design dictum: “First the person, then the chair.” The result? Mid-century modern furniture that was not only ergonomic and comfortable but artistic in form.
Born in 1935 in London, Harcourt’s artistic leanings began at an early age. In his youth, he attended the High Wycombe Technical School, followed by the High Wycombe School of Art, where he obtained a national diploma in design and a place to study at the Royal College of Art. After graduating in 1960, Harcourt left the United Kingdom. for Chicago, where he worked in industrial design until 1961. Then, he went to Copenhagen and worked with designer Jacob Jensen.
In 1962, Harcourt returned to the U.K. and began designing his first series of open-armed chairs for the Dutch furniture manufacturing company Artifort. His Space Age 042 Series lounge chair, designed in 1963, was an immediate success and launched Artifort into the international furniture market — like Olivier Mourgue’s low-slung Djinn chair, Harcourt’s seat was also prominently featured in Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Harcourt designed several other notable pieces for Artifort. These included his “500 Series” lounge chairs in 1967, the F140 swivel chair in 1970, and the undulating “Cleopatra” chaise longue also in 1970.
In addition to Artifort, Harcourt designed for several other furniture companies such as Dynamite Nobel, Mines and West, Trau of Turin, Hands of Wycombe and Steelcase Strafor. In his 70s, Harcourt retired from furniture design to focus on painting.
Harcourt’s furniture pieces have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Design Council in London and Glasgow, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague. In 1978, he was awarded the title of Royal Designer for Industry by the Royal Society of Arts.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Geoffrey Harcourt lounge chairs and other seating.
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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Waalwijk, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
- Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Office Chair in Red UpholsteryBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Waalwijk, NLArne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, office chair model ‘3217’, wood, fabric, chrome-plated metal, plastic, Denmark, designed in 1955, later production This office chair by Arne Jacobsen...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsChrome, Metal
- Pierre Paulin for Artifort 'F-444' Easy Chair in Cognac LeatherBy Pierre Paulin, ArtifortLocated in Waalwijk, NLPierre Paulin for Artifort, F-444 easy chair, metal and cognac leather, the Netherlands, circa 1962. This cognac leather F-444 chair is designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 196...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pierre Paulin for Artifort Pair of Lounge Chairs in Lacquered MetalBy Artifort, Pierre PaulinLocated in Waalwijk, NLPair of easy chairs by Pierre Paulin, pair of lounge chairs, model F-444, white metal and mesh, The Netherlands, circa 1962 This pair of mesh F-444 chairs is designed by Pierre Paul...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Friso Kramer ‘Revolt’ Chair in Matte Red Lacquered Ciranol and MetalBy Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso KramerLocated in Waalwijk, NLFriso Kramer for Cirkel Ahrend, chair, ciranol, metal, The Netherlands, design 1953 This chair named ‘Revolt’ is designed by the Dutch designer Friso Kramer (1922-2019) that receive...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pierre Paulin for Artifort Sofa in Black UpholsteryBy Pierre Paulin, ArtifortLocated in Waalwijk, NLPierre Paulin for Artifort, sofa model '442/3', fabric, steel, The Netherlands, 1962. A sofa design by Pierre Paulin made into realization in 1962. The sleek fusion of steel and bla...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Pierre Paulin for Artifort Sofa in Blue UpholsteryBy Pierre Paulin, ArtifortLocated in Waalwijk, NLPierre Paulin for Artifort, sofa model '442/3', fabric upholstery, chromed steel, The Netherlands, 1962 This modest sofa is based on a solid construction featuring clear lines and g...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Geoffrey Harcourt Pair of Swivel Armchairs in Wool for Artifort 1970sBy Geoffrey Harcourt, ArtifortLocated in Tilburg, NLGeoffrey Harcourt pair of Swivel armchairs for Artifort. The Netherlands, 1970s. Comfortable pair of swivel armchairs by Geoffrey Harcourt fo...Category
Late 20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum
- Artifort executive desk chair by Geoffrey Harcourt, 1970sBy Artifort, Geoffrey HarcourtLocated in Appeltern, GelderlandA Vintage executive-style black leather chair, with a special polished vintage chrome base. This chair, was designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for "Artifort". A great lived-in chair. This...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Desk or Office Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for ArtifortBy Geoffrey Harcourt, ArtifortLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLVery nice and comfortable desk or office chair designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, The Netherlands, 1970s These swivel chairs are made with the best materials, they have a...Category
Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Desk or Office Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for ArtifortBy Geoffrey Harcourt, ArtifortLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLVery nice and comfortable desk or office chair designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, The Netherlands, 1970s. These swivel chairs are made with the best materials, they have ...Category
Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Geoffrey Harcourt, Chair 130, 'RCA' Chair, Designed 1960, Produced by ArtifortBy Artifort, Geoffrey D. HarcourtLocated in London, GBGeoffrey Harcourt, UK (designer) Artifort, The Netherlands (manufacturer) Chair 130 - 'RCA' Chair - designed 1960 Curved, veneered plywood, cast aluminium swivel base. Geoffrey Har...Category
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- F142 Disk Base Swivel Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970sBy Artifort, Geoffrey HarcourtLocated in Hilversum, NLBraun leather armchair with metal frame by Geoffrey Harcourt. The stylish leather covers both of the arms as well as the bottom and back of chair. Good original condition. A luxury c...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsLeather
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Morentz Writes the Next Chapter for Furniture with a Storied Past
Dutch dealer Matthijs Hoveijn specializes in the best of mid-century modern design, selling it to discerning clients around the world.