Xavier Féal Armchairs for Inox Industrie, France, 1970, Set of 2
Description
Xavier Féal armchairs for Inox Industrie, brushed stainless steel and fabric, France, 1970, set of two
Each armchair is built around folded sheets of brushed stainless steel that curve into a low, continuous base, a construction typical of Féal's sculptural approach to metal seating. The rolled backrest and boxy, cushioned arms sit directly on the steel frame, with the seat and back cushions tufted with fabric covered buttons. The panels are joined with visible screws at the sides, leaving the interior structure partially open beneath the seat, a detail that reads as much sculptural as functional.
Xavier Féal trained at the Ecole Boulle and the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs in Paris before working under a pseudonym for the manufacturer Inox Industrie, which produced his stainless steel furniture, lighting, and decorative objects between 1969 and 1974. His pieces were made in small series for a design conscious clientele and are recognized today for the way brushed and polished steel is folded into curved, architectural forms rather than used as mere structural support. This pair belongs to that short but distinctive production run, produced in France.
Dimensions
Height: 30.32 in (77 cm)
Width: 42.13 in (107 cm)
Depth: 35.83 in (91 cm)
Seat Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)
Design
1970
Manufacture
1970-1979
Material
Stainless steel, fabric
Location
Lonigo, IT
Condition
Our atelier carefully restored and reupholstered the armchairs, with attention to structural integrity, materials, and finish. The process was guided by deep respect for its authenticity, balancing technical intervention and historical sensitivity.