Eileen Gray, Pair of "Transat" Armchairs

Rare pair of "Transat" armchairs with a black lacquered wooden structure forming a rectilinear frame with clean lines. The square-section base is reinforced by visible metal elements, highlighting the construction and providing a subtle contrast. The seat, slightly inclined, consists of a padded rectangular cushion, extended by an articulated and inclined backrest, also upholstered in leather, structured by horizontal tufting. The armrests, extending from the frame, frame the seat and contribute to the overall balance of the model, whose low and elongated silhouette evokes rest seats. The whole stands out for its great formal clarity and understated elegance, characteristic of the artist's vocabulary. Designed in the late 1920s by Eileen Gray, the "Transat" armchair is part of the research conducted by the artist for the design of the E-1027 villa, created with Jean Badovici. Inspired by the deck chairs of transatlantic liners, this model reflects a contemplation of rest and body position, combining a rigorous structure with a comfortable, inclined seat. The treatment of the backrest, marked by horizontal tufting, introduces a domestic and sensual dimension to an otherwise highly architectural composition. The editions produced by Écart International from the 1970s onwards played a crucial role in the rediscovery of Eileen Gray's work. Examples from the 1980s–1990s, such as this pair, are now sought after for their quality of execution and fidelity to the original model.