Rare René Drouet Pair of Lounge Chairs in Caramel Mohair by Pierre Frey

René Drouet, pair of lounge chairs, mohair velvet "Bold Cigare" by Pierre Frey, wood, France, 1930s

Designed by French decorator René Drouet, these very rare club chairs are a quintessential example of French Art Deco, a style that favored assertive geometry and bold, sculptural forms. The chairs are recently upholstered in a luxurious, richly textured mohair in a caramel brown color by Pierre Frey, which further accentuates its graceful character.

The shape is where the real drama unfolds. Each chair is composed of a series of round contoured forms. The arms bulge outward – bold, cylindrical, and generously padded. What is remarkable is how Drouet handles these large, swollen forms without slipping into excess. The rounded backrest crests in a smooth arc, mirroring the proportions of the arms and unifying the profile. The seat cushion sits low and deep, squared off to anchor the whole composition visually, contrasting subtly with the otherwise rotund rhythm.

René Drouet (1899-1993) had his origins in Puteaux, a city located close to Paris. Drouet, particularly known as a decorator, received recognition for his work in 1929 at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, and was also featured in several magazines such as Mobilier et Décoration. Drouet operated a store at 104, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where he served an affluent clientele by furnishing their apartments. Drouet's furniture designs were characterized by their logical and straightforward style. His oeuvre of the thirties is defined by full shapes that were not overly heavy and had discreet, yet elegant curves. Following the Second World War, Drouet embraced the Art Deco style, incorporating more ornate decorative elements into his designs. He utilized materials such as oxidized mirrors and lacquers to create trompe l'oeil effects, and incorporated more fantastical elements, for example in the padded seats which had a baroque aesthetic.