Armchair in Imbuia Wood & Mohair, Michel Arnoult, 1960s - Lot 194

Description

Michel Arnoult, Brazil, c. 1960s. This armchair distills mid-century Brazilian restraint into a compact, sculptural proposition: a pared frame of imbuia that reads as a supporting armature for a gently reclined, fully upholstered seat and back. The upright posts and modest arm caps frame a generous, low seat, while the tapered legs and subtly arced under-rail produce a poised, horizontal calm. The composition privileges proportion and line, allowing the object’s structural logic to govern its presence rather than applied detail.

Crafted in imbuia—a dense, warm Brazilian hardwood—the frame has been sympathetically refinished to a satin-matte finish that foregrounds the wood’s fine grain and tonal depth. Execution is honest and economical: refined joinery, crisply pared edges, and a restrained use of form that emphasizes material integrity. The chair has been newly upholstered in a sober beige linen; the cloth reads as a desaturated, tactile field that complements the wood without diluting the frame’s compositional clarity.

Function is integrated with form. The chair’s geometry yields an upright yet relaxed repose—comfort described as considered support and posture rather than indulgent plushness—making it suited to both domestic and more formal interiors. Joinery and proportions are designed for durable, everyday use while maintaining an exacting sense of balance.

Condition: in excellent vintage condition. The wood has been professionally refinished and the upholstery renewed; age-appropriate marks are confined to the feet and edges. Restoration has been conservative and transparent, preserving original proportions and construction.

A measured example of Brazilian mid-century seating by Michel Arnoult, this armchair is positioned for collections and interiors that prize sculptural restraint, material refinement, and the careful stewardship of authentic objects. Lot 194.