Elm chairs, Atelier C. Demoyen, France, 1980's

This set of four chairs, from the Demoyen workshop, takes certain features from the traditional Alsatian chair but strips it of its decoration to retain only the essential lines. The backrest consists of three panels, extended by two uprights that descend to the seat and accentuate its verticality. The lower part, thick and slightly raised on its sides, gives it something reminiscent of certain Japanese wooden constructions. The carved edges, visible joints, and the thickness of the elm reinforce this form that is both robust and refined. A reinterpretation that pays tribute to a regional tradition where the craftsmanship of French cabinetmaking offers a more streamlined and contemporary vision. Based in Lorraine, Claude Demoyen belongs to that generation of artisans who, in the 1970s, renewed solid wood furniture. His workshop will notably produce certain pieces by Pierre Chapo, but will also develop a personal body of work, recognizable by the simplicity of its forms and the emphasis on wood.