Artifort

Artifort is a Dutch company whose name combines “art” and “comfort”. Active since the late 19th century, it established itself from the 1950s as a major player in modern design, moving toward freer forms and innovative manufacturing techniques.

The turning point came with the arrival of designer Kho Liang Ie, who introduced a new generation of creators, including Pierre Paulin and Geoffrey Harcourt. From the 1960s, Artifort developed seating with continuous volumes, based on metal frames and foam, marking a break with traditional furniture.

Models such as the Oyster armchair, the Butterfly F675 model, and Pierre Paulin’s F444 armchair illustrate this evolution, in which the seat becomes a single overall volume, designed both for comfort and for visual presence. This approach helped redefine home and contract furniture, with instantly recognizable forms.

The pieces presented here reflect this manufacturing rigor and formal exploration. They are now sought after for the quality of their design and for Artifort’s importance in the history of 20th-century design, while helping create a coherent, distinctive interior.