Rare magazine stand by Jacques Adnet Stitched Blue Leather, France, 1950s

A magazine rack or stand in stitched blue leather with brass details. Designed by the legendary French luxury designer Jacques Adnet in the midcentury. This piece is from his stitched leather series which he created in the 1950s. This series consisted of many metal furniture pieces such as tables, chairs, desks and lamps, which were all given a leather skin. This skin was stitched by hand. A very time consuming process. And because of that, Adnet his stitched items were very high end and very expensive for their time. Our piece is a magazine Stand or rack of the series. It is in blue leather and has those nice handmade stitches. We received it from the 1st owners, who were Jacques Adnet lovers. They took great care of it, which can be seen. The leather is, in contrast to many other survived items by Adnet, in very good condition for its age. Only normal traces of use. A very collectable item because of its rarity and condition.

Jaqcues Adnet was a French art deco modernist designer, architect and interior designer from the 20th century. He is know as one of the greatest luxury designers of French Modernism. He thought functionality of furniture was something that could be combined with geometrical simplicity. Adnet was born in 1900 and grew inspired by pre-classical styles, but was also well know with traditional furniture. In his younger years he worked with his twin brother in studio Maitrise were they met Maurice Dufrene, an Art Déco designer. He started directing La Compangie des Arts Francis with decorators Francois Jourdain, Charlotte Perriand and Georges Jouve. In the 50’s was creating many furniture pieces, for example his beautiful items covered in stitched leather. It was also the period he received many commissions like decorating the apartment of the President at the Elysée Palace or the meeting room of the UNESCO building in Paris. He died in 1984 as one of the most important designer of French modernism.