Strafor 3-seater bench, orange upholstery and sled base, 1970s.

Strafor waiting bench, three seats, 1970s. The original label is still attached under the seat: Strafor, ref. 444-240. That is to say, the forges of Strasbourg, about an hour from our Alsatian workshop — office furniture that was commonly found in the lobbies and waiting rooms throughout the region. A single sled made of black lacquered steel supports the three cantilevered seats, with no leg in the middle: this is the cleverness of this model, and it gives it a graphic quality. Backrests mounted on black shells. Original upholstery in orange wool, never reupholstered: the colour is vibrant, a brick orange from the decade, and the fabric still feels dense to the touch. There is one flaw, which is shown in the photos: on one seat, a few pulled wool threads create a small snag (photos 3 and 4). The fabric is not torn, the weave holds. This is the only imperfection of this piece, which explains its price. On a wool fabric of this weave, a pulled thread can be tucked back in with a needle and becomes invisible. As for the rest: overall good condition. The wool is clean and sound, the foam is intact, the tube has no dents or rust, and there is normal wear on the black shells. Almost two metres of seating in a single line, with nothing protruding: this is the piece that fits a grand entrance, a landing, a waiting room, or a long living room wall. Dimensions: width 190 cm, height 80 cm, depth 72 cm, seat height 40 cm.