Pine stool by René Martin, France, circa 1965

Stool made of solid pine, designed by René Martin, a cabinetmaker nicknamed "René the Scissors, " a discreet yet essential figure in post-war Alpine design. A collaborator of Charlotte Perriand, he contributed to several development projects in the resorts of Méribel and Les Arcs in the French Alps. Resting on a quadruped base with turned legs, this stool features a thick, slightly hollowed circular seat, revealing the natural grain of the pine. Combining simplicity, sturdiness, and rustic elegance, it perfectly embodies the spirit of modernist mountain furniture, designed to last and integrate with the architecture. Origin: Méribel, around 1965.