Sofa and armchairs in aluminium from the American army, mid-20th century style, by Hans H. Hunnebeck, 1953.

Exceptional and extremely rare lounge set from 1953, with an aluminium structure, intended for the Medical Corps of the US Army. It includes a two-seater sofa and two matching armchairs. Manufactured by Hans H. Hunnebeck in Witten (West Germany), under official licence from the US Army Quartermaster Corps. This model was part of the US Army's standardised medical utility furniture programme, developed in the United States in the early Cold War. While most examples were produced in the US, a limited number were made in West Germany for American bases operating in the Allied occupation zones. These German-made pieces are much rarer and are now highly sought after by collectors of modernist military and industrial design. This set comes from the American airbase hospital at Berlin-Tempelhof, the main American base in Europe during the 1950s. Each piece bears the original insignia of the US Medical Corps, adorned with the caduceus, as well as the manufacturer's stamp: "HANS H. HUNNEBECK – CONTRACT NO. PCO4 – DATE OF MANUFACTURE: 21 FEBRUARY 1953". The design reflects the post-war synthesis of American engineering and German precision, rooted in Bauhaus functionalism: curved tubular aluminium structure, ergonomic armrests, modular structure, and removable padded cushions. Hunnebeck's design shows a clear affinity with early Knoll, Emeco, and US Army furniture: robust, minimalist, and timelessly functional. Condition: structurally excellent, with no cracks, breaks, or repairs. The structure is stable and retains its original upholstery, with only slight normal wear for its age. The vinyl upholstery is in perfect condition: no tears or cracks, and the cushions remain firm and do not sag. All original factory marks are intact and legible. The set has never been restored, thus preserving its authentic Cold War patina. Rarity and significance: Produced under American licence in 1953, this set embodies the spirit of the emerging collaboration between American military design and German industrial craftsmanship at the beginning of the Cold War. Its provenance, Tempelhof, gives it undeniable historical value: a set worthy of a museum, an authentic witness to mid-20th century military modernism, illustrating both post-war reconstruction and the functional purity of design.