French sculptural primitive stools, wood, 1960, set of fourteen.
This collection of hand-carved stools originates from rural France, dating from the 1960s. Each piece is a microcosm of functional imperfection: uneven seat planes, worn edges, and visible traces of daily use. The shapes vary — triangular, circular, hexagonal — yet all share a radical simplicity shaped by vernacular construction logic.
The solid wood, often untreated or minimally finished, retains its raw tactility: lines, knots, and deep grain patterns interact with the instinctive geometry of their build creating balance from imperfection. The three splayed legs, inserted directly into the seat, ensure stability on uneven ground, a utilitarian solution that becomes a formal language.
These stools transcend pure function, standing as small-scale sculptural architectures. Echoing the spirit of Charlotte Perriand’s “Meribel” and Pierre Chapo’s “S31” stools, they embody a pre-industrial material sensibility, where form emerges directly from the maker’s hand. Each piece reflects a tactile, honest approach to craftsmanship, rooted in tradition yet timeless in presence. Today, they live as totemic elements within domestic or exhibition spaces, carrying a quiet presence and a sense of raw intimacy.
The set can be split. The chairs can be sold singularly.
Height: approx. 12–18 in (30–45 cm)
Width: approx. 12–18 in (30–45 cm)
Depth: approx. 12–18 in (30–45 cm)
1960
1960-1969
Wood
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