Italy, c1950

Original sumptuous armchair of broad, generous scale. Iconic in form and inspired by the famous leading french designers of the time, specifically the emblematic Jean Royère ‘Polar bear’ armchair which was launched in 1949. This model having similar proportions and fluidity of line and hugely comfortable. The superbly chic silhouette designed for the elite homes of post war Rome and Milan. Newly upholstered in textured cream bouclé fabric.

Dimensions: H 83cm x W 100cm x D 90cm

Guglielmo Ulrich: A student of both the prestigious Scuola Speciale di Architettura at the Brera Academy and the Milan Polytechnic, the aristocratic Ulrich was the favoured designer of 1930s Milanese high society, receiving commissions for the villas, homes and interiors of the city’s great families, as well as retail stores for prestigious companies including Galtrucco throughout Italy.  He collaborated with Gio Ponti on the design of a hotel for the Venice Lido in 1937 and would serve as co-editor of Domus in 1942 with Melchiorre Bega. His career in furniture design began in earnest with the foundation of Ar.Ca (Arredamento Casa), the home furniture company he established in 1930 with Renato Wild and Attilio Scaglia. Working closely with celebrated artisans Jannace & Kovacs, Ar.Ca’s meticulously executed designs became synonymous with luxury and modernity during the period. A focus on rare and extraordinary materials characterised the company’s early production, works that were luxurious in both material and form, designed to feed what Ulrich described as his wealthy clients’ desire for strange material…exclusiveness, novelty, the unique piece.