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Theo Ruth Canapes

Dutch, 1915-1971

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.

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Creator: Theo Ruth
Theo Ruth for Artifort, Original Classic 2 Seater
By Theo Ruth
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Theo Ruth for Artifort, Original Classic 2 Seater
Category

1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Fabric

1950ies daybed designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
1950ies daybed designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort. The daybed by Theo Ruth is characteristic for Theo Ruth’s attitude towards designing. With it’s organic shape and due to its elega...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Related Items
Reupholstered in Bouclé Theo Ruth “115” Sofa for Artifort, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Renens, CH
Reupholstered 115 sofa by Theo Ruth for Artifort (The Netherlands). The Sofa has been reupholstered with new foam and a soft bouclé/sheep wool style fabric. The material used is v...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Metal

Extremely Rare Midcentury Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Schagen, NL
Early piece designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Features a Black Leatherette Backrest and Orange fabric upholstery upon the seating. Seating can easily be ‘folded’ or disassembled wh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Faux Leather, Beech

Rare Dutch Design sofa by Theo Ruth F109 for Artifort 1950 Mid-Century Modern
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Very rare mid-century modern design sofa model: F109 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950. High end Dutch design. The sofa is very comfortable and displays Theo Ruth's famous organic line...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Theo Ruth Lounge Chairs for Artifort, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Delft, NL
Theo Ruth lounge chairs for Artifort The Netherlands, 1950s One lounge chair with a highly winged back and 3 rows buttons One lounge chair with a low winged back and 2 rows buttons T...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Theo Ruth Lounge Chairs for Artifort, 1950s
Theo Ruth Lounge Chairs for Artifort, 1950s
H 36.62 in W 27.96 in D 23.23 in
Midcentury Congo Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort
By Theo Ruth
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A good 1950s Congo chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Artifort was founded in 1890 and still exist. Starting out as a Classic seating company th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Beech

Midcentury Congo Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort
Midcentury Congo Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 33.47 in
Theo Ruth Mid Century Sofa for Artifort 1956
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Tilburg, NL
This is a wonderful sofa designed by Theo Ruth for Wagemans & van Tuinen / Artifort, made in 1956. The design of this sofa is classic mid-century and Scandinavian in style, but really comes to life due to the fantastic colorful upholstery. This vertically striped fabric shows many geometrical shapes, variations and colors and is quintessentially mid-century in appearance. At the same time, it is also very modern and this sofa will be a stunning addition in every interior. The design of this Theo Ruth sofa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Theo Ruth Mid Century Sofa for Artifort 1956
Theo Ruth Mid Century Sofa for Artifort 1956
H 32.29 in W 51.58 in D 27.56 in
Theo Ruth Model 115 Lounge Chair For Artifort / C.1950
By Theo Ruth
Located in Montréal, QC
Theo Ruth, a notable Dutch furniture designer of the mid-20th century, gained recognition for his innovative creations with Artifort. After training at Maastricht's School of Applied...
Category

20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Alpaca, Birch

Theo Ruth Model 115 Lounge Chair For Artifort / C.1950
Theo Ruth Model 115 Lounge Chair For Artifort / C.1950
Free Shipping
H 31.5 in W 29.5 in D 31.5 in
Congo Settee by Theo Ruth for Artifort
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Congo settee by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Settee measures 57" wide, 27" deep and 28" high. Seat height is 15". Settee base has been professionally refinished and reupholstered.
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Theo Ruth for Artifort Sofa in Beige Corduroy Upholstery
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Theo Ruth for Artifort, sofa, fabric, wood, The Netherlands, 1970.  A Dutch settee in beige corduroy upholstery by Theo Ruth. The back tilts slightly backward and has the recognizab...
Category

1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Armchair Model 115 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950s
By Theo Ruth, Artifort
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair model 115 by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950s Beech wooden base.
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Beech

Artifort lounge chair by Theo Ruth The Netherlands, 1950s
By Artifort, Theo Ruth
Located in Delft, NL
Artifort lounge chair by Theo Ruth The Netherlands, 1950s A lounge chair with a highly winged back and 3 rows buttons The upholstery is a brown and black woven fabric The measurem...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Theo Ruth for Artifort Sofa in Orange Red Upholstery
By Theo Ruth
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Theo Ruth for Artifort, sofa, fabric, lacquered steel, The Netherlands, 1970. A Dutch two-seat sofa in orange red colored fabric by Theo Ruth. The back tilts slightly backwards and ...
Category

1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Theo Ruth Canapes

Materials

Steel

Theo Ruth canapes for sale on 1stDibs.

Theo Ruth canapes are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original canapes by Theo Ruth were created in the mid-century modern style in netherlands during the mid-20th century. Prices for Theo Ruth canapes can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $8,185 and can go as high as $8,185, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,185.

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