Dutch design mid century Gispen armchair 'Genie' | fully restored

From military barracks to a design armchair for the home: a unique Gispen armchair. This is not just any vintage armchair, but an authentic piece of Dutch design with a fascinating story. This chair comes from the military barracks of Vught and later served in the Genie Museum there. After years in the basement, we recently bought a batch of more than 15 still to be restored examples, some marked on the underside with the brand name Gispen. Rugged and 'vandal-proof' government design. In the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, Gispen was one of the main suppliers for the Dutch government and Defence. Because the furniture in barracks and ministries was used intensively, it had to be indestructible. Where Gispen was known in the 1930s for its elegant, round tube frames, designers like A.R. Cordemeyer switched to a tighter, industrial design in the late 1950s. The result. An extremely strong, square steel frame, combined with warm wooden armrests. A perfect balance between functionality and mid-century aesthetics. Exclusive project furniture. This armchair almost certainly comes from a special project line (such as the business BZ or AZ series) that was never for sale to consumers. It was purely designed for furnishing, for example, officers' rooms or reception areas, relaxation and recreation rooms, and canteens. A rarity outside the gates. Because this barracks furniture was supplied directly to Defence and was often destroyed after the closure or renovation of the barracks, this model is rare on the open market. That this example has escaped destruction and has now been beautifully restored makes it a unique, historic, and valuable design object for the true enthusiast! The restoration: The chair has been completely disassembled and cleaned, the armrests have been completely sanded and refinished with oil and then varnished. The frames, heavy and solidly made, have been cleaned and checked where necessary. The upholstery is completely new in the beautiful Odense Dark Green fabric from Switch, a first-class upholstery fabric with a small retro twist due to its beautiful bouclé effect. Of course, the interior has not been forgotten, this armchair has been completely rebuilt and offers the comfort of a brand new example.Country of origin: Netherlands. Manufacturer: Gispen. Height: 86 cm. Seat height: 45 cm. Width: 62 cm. Seat width: 52 cm. Depth: 70 cm., price per piece.