{"product_id":"rare-jean-pascaud-pair-of-lounge-chairs-with-compartments-in-pierre-frey-mohair","title":"Rare Jean Pascaud Pair of Lounge Chairs with Compartments in Pierre Frey Mohair","description":"Jean Pascaud, pair of lounge chairs, Duke mohair by Pierre Frey, beech, France, ca. 1949 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese exceptionally rare lounge chairs were designed by the acclaimed French interior decorator and furniture designer Jean Pascaud and were presented at the Salon des Arts Ménagers,  held at the Grand Palais in Paris, in 1949. Their design is at once monumental and inviting. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBroad, rectilinear armrests frame a deep, generously proportioned seat, while the softly rounded front corners temper the otherwise architectural geometry. The substantial upholstered sides rise almost like low walls around the sitter, giving each chair a strikingly enclosed and intimate character. Pascaud incorporated storage into the design in a unique and ingenious way. The wooden armrest panels can be lifted to reveal concealed compartments, while rectangular open shelves are integrated into the outer sides of the chairs, providing a convenient place for books or magazines. These practical details are handled with such precision that they become an integral part of the overall composition rather than merely functional additions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA period black-and-white photograph of Jean Pascaud's installation at the 1949 Salon des Arts Ménagers places the chairs within their original context. Pascaud created a room devoted to a more specialized, though by no means insignificant, aspect of domestic life: the place where one might gather for a drink. The setting included a large revolving pedestal table, a bar and ample armchairs. In the exhibition, the chairs were upholstered in tartan, lending the ensemble a distinctly British accent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe chairs have been reupholstered in a luxurious bicolor Duke mohair by Pierre Frey. The deep burgundy of the seat and back cushions is set against the warm burnt-orange upholstery of the architectural frame. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiography \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJean Pascaud (1903–1996) was a celebrated French designer and decorator, recognized for his luxurious, bespoke furniture and interior designs. As a designer, Pascaud belonged to the Ruhlmann tradition, emphasizing opulence, fine craftsmanship, and the use of high-quality materials. A graduate of the prestigious École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in 1924, Pascaud shifted from engineering to applied arts, inspired by the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris. Influenced by the rise of Art Deco, he shifted his focus to furniture design, producing his first pieces in 1927. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePascaud’s work adhered to the tradition of luxury craftsmanship, creating pieces for specific rooms, clients, or architectural settings. His designs were known for their clean lines and exquisite finishes. He used a variety of rare and exotic materials, including Macassar ebony, ivory, sycamore, and black lacquer. He was particularly drawn to showcasing the natural beauty of wood grain, and his meticulous craftsmanship often included marquetry in metals like bronze or silver, as well as the use of parchment and sharkskin.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy the 1930s, Pascaud's reputation grew, leading to prestigious commissions, including the interior design of luxury ocean liners The Normandy and The Pasteur, and major projects for the French Ministry of Education. He earned the Grand Prix at the 1937 International Exposition in Paris, cementing his status as a master of luxury design. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePascaud's designs were in high demand during the 1940s and beyond. He worked on prestigious projects for both private clients and governmental bodies, including the French embassies in Czechoslovakia, Sweden, and Mexico. He also contributed to monumental works such as the Place de Landhaus in Innsbruck and the Col de l'Arlberg in 1948 and 1949, respectively. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJean Pascaud’s work stands alongside that of his contemporaries, Jacques Adnet (1900-1984) and André Arbus (1903-1969), as emblematic of French Art Deco. His furniture, known for its purity of form and restrained elegance, was often adorned with ornamental gilded bronze motifs. He frequently collaborated with other artists to create pieces that were not only functional but also deeply artistic.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlthough Pascaud’s works were highly sought after during his lifetime, many of his pieces, despite being signed, are difficult to identify today. His career, spanning over five decades, is a testament to the enduring allure of French Art Deco and his mastery of creating furniture that was both timeless and luxurious. Jean Pascaud passed away in 1996.  ","brand":"Morentz","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54341516067159,"sku":null,"price":40431.86,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0289\/5187\/1548\/files\/50119005_St_P_11_31a0c7eb-c522-4c7d-afdc-0adee175c9e1.jpg?v=1786962738","url":"https:\/\/www.morentz.com\/en-gb\/products\/rare-jean-pascaud-pair-of-lounge-chairs-with-compartments-in-pierre-frey-mohair","provider":"Morentz","version":"1.0","type":"link"}