Gispen armchair 'Genie' | 2 pieces in stock

From military barracks to a design armchair for the home: a unique Gispen armchair. This is not just any vintage armchair, but an authentic piece of Dutch design with a fascinating story. This chair comes from the military barracks of Vught and later served in the Genie Museum there. After years in the basement, we recently bought a batch of more than 15 to be restored, some marked on the underside with the brand name Gispen. Rugged and 'vandal-proof' government design. In the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, Gispen was one of the main suppliers for the Dutch government and Defence. Because the furniture in barracks and ministries was used intensively, it had to be indestructible. Where Gispen was known in the 1930s for its elegant, round tube frames, designers like A.R. Cordemeyer switched to a tighter, industrial design in the late 1950s. The result. An extremely strong, square steel frame, combined with warm wooden armrests. A perfect balance between functionality and mid-century aesthetics. Exclusive project furniture. This armchair almost certainly comes from a special project line (such as the business BZ or AZ series) that was never for sale to consumers. It was purely designed for furnishing, for example, officers' rooms or reception areas, relaxation and recreation rooms, and canteens on military sites. A rarity outside the gates. Because this barracks furniture was delivered directly to Defence and was often destroyed after the closure or renovation of the barracks, this model is quite rare on the open market. The fact that this example has survived and has now been beautifully restored makes it a unique, historic, and beautiful object for the true enthusiast! The restoration: The chair has been completely disassembled and cleaned, the armrests have been completely sanded and refinished with oil and then lacquered. The frames, heavy and solid, have been cleaned and, where necessary, completely checked. The upholstery is completely new in the beautiful fabric Odense Petrol from the company Switch, a first-class upholstery fabric with a small retro twist due to its beautiful bouclé effect. Of course, the interior has not been forgotten, this armchair has been completely rebuilt with new filling and offers the comfort of a brand new example... Country of origin: Netherlands Manufacturer: Gispen Height: 86 cm Seat height: 45 cm Width: 62 cm Seat width: 52 cm Depth: 70 cm 1 piece still in this petrol colour available, price per piece.