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an image of a blue chair in a room with a white walla blue chair sitting in a white room next to a windowan image of a blue chair in a room with a white walla blue chair in a room with a white wall
FRANCOIS EPIN ART & DESIGN CONSULTING

59 - J.A. van ’t Leven (1948–2018)
See original version (French)

Estimate €900 - €1,300
Sale commission
Description
J.A. van ’t Leven (1948–2018) Unique prototype armchair with removable castors Curved and painted plywood, with removable castors Netherlands, 1985 One-off prototype Signed and dated 1985. H85 W60 D50 cm In good original vintage condition, showing visible signs of age and wear on the painted surfaces and castors. A loose seat cushion requiring reupholstering is included. A unique and remarkable prototype armchair, designed by the Dutch interior architect and furniture designer J.A. van ’t Leven in 1985. The armchair is crafted from elegantly curved plywood, finished in a deep purple hue. Its continuous shell forms an enveloping backrest and integrated armrests, giving the piece a strong architectural presence. The high backrest is pierced with an intricate cascade of teardrop-shaped openings. This decorative openwork adds visual lightness and allows light to filter through the curved structure. Four small castors lend the armchair an unexpected sense of movement and whimsy. These can be removed, allowing the armchair to be used with or without castors. A separate loose seat cushion is included. This cushion still needs to be upholstered, allowing the new owner to choose a fabric or leather to suit their interior. This purple prototype was created in 1985 and remains a one-off piece. In 1992, Van ’t Leven produced a second, grey version of this model, also as a one-off. The grey armchair, supplied with a white leather cushion, is also offered separately in this sale. J.A. van ’t Leven (1948–2018) was a Dutch interior architect, furniture designer and environmental designer. He studied architectural design and environmental design at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, where he subsequently taught from 1981 to 2013. Alongside his teaching, he worked as a freelance designer from 1983 onwards. In 1991, one of his dining chairs was awarded the prize for the best classic Dutch furniture design at the Utrecht Furniture Fair. A unique example of independent Dutch furniture design, combining an expressive plywood structure, decorative openwork and a playful, movable base.
See original version (French)
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About the sale Sculptural furniture and functional art
Auction location
Auction time 09/27/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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