Oyster F157 Armchair with Ottoman – Pierre Paulin

• Oyster armchair model F157 with ottoman, designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in the 1960s.
• Low and open silhouette, signature of the Oyster model, with a tilted seat designed for body relaxation.
• White synthetic leather upholstery, perfectly taut, hugging the shell with precision. Firm seat, with no sagging or deterioration of the foam.
• Fully cleaned set, presenting a very fine state of preservation. Original Artifort metal labels present under each element.
• Provenance: first owner.
• Armchair: H 82 cm × D 75 cm × W 89 cm × Seat H 34 cm.
• Ottoman: W 75 cm × D 48 cm × H 42 cm.

The Oyster F157 armchair by Pierre Paulin is part of the research carried out in the 1960s around seating as a continuous volume. This model stands out for its one-piece construction, with no break between backrest and seat, offering a smooth, instantly recognizable silhouette. This approach marks a major shift in design, where the structure disappears in favour of a free volume, conceived as an overall form rather than an assembly.

Produced by Artifort, the Oyster F157 armchair exemplifies this period of innovation in European furniture. The collaboration between Pierre Paulin and the Dutch manufacturer gave rise to models that favored both formal experimentation and technical mastery. The F157 thus stands as a representative piece of this dynamic, at the intersection of aesthetic research and domestic use.

The design of the armchair is based on a precise balance between inclination and openness. The seat, slightly tilted backward, induces a relaxed posture, while the open form avoids any sense of confinement. This tension between support and freedom is characteristic of Pierre Paulin’s work on seating from this period.

The set with its ottoman naturally extends this logic. It allows the posture to be extended and comfort to be enhanced, while maintaining the visual coherence of the model. This complete configuration, now less common on the market, reinforces the appeal of the set, both from a functional and collectible standpoint.

The Oyster F157 armchair by Pierre Paulin remains today a significant piece of 1960s design, sought after for the clarity of its design and the precision of its proportions.