Pair of Art Déco Mahogany Chairs with Original Leather – Early 20th Century

Pair of Art Déco chairs with a mahogany frame and their original dark leather upholstery.

These chairs are a fine example of the design language that came to international prominence at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs held in Paris in 1925, the exhibition that gave Art Déco its name. It introduced a new vision of elegance: less ornament, greater emphasis on the quality of materials, clean lines and essential forms. Luxury was no longer expressed through decoration alone, but through thoughtful design and fine craftsmanship.

The structure achieves a refined balance between rigour and comfort. Slender, gently tapered square-section legs establish a crisp geometric framework, while the tall back opens into a fan-shaped composition formed by vertical upholstered panels—one of the defining motifs of the Art Déco vocabulary. The same design continues across the seat, articulated by stitching and buttons.

The original leather is one of the chairs' greatest qualities. Its natural creases, subtle tonal variations and the marks left by decades of use speak of almost a century of life without diminishing their elegance. Time has settled into the surface, giving the upholstery a richness and depth that new upholstery could never recreate.

The chairs have come down to us completely original and have never been restored. From a conservation standpoint, we believe that preserving the original leather is the most respectful approach, consolidating it where necessary while retaining its authentic patina and character. For those seeking a different appearance, the upholstery can, of course, be replaced with new leather or fabric to suit a particular interior project. Preserving the original upholstery, however, also means preserving an essential part of the chairs' identity.

The mahogany quietly supports the design, allowing the form and upholstery to define the chairs' character. That is one of the defining principles of Art Déco: achieving elegance with remarkably few elements, thoughtfully proportioned and crafted from quality materials.

Originally intended for reception rooms, these chairs are equally at home today in a living room, study, bedroom or entrance hall. Their restrained design allows them to sit comfortably within both traditional and contemporary interiors, adding character without ever dominating the space.

Art Déco is often associated with grand hotels, ocean liners and the glamour of Paris in the 1920s. Its most enduring legacy, however, may be something simpler: the belief that thoughtful design and fine materials never go out of style. That is why, nearly a century later, chairs like these still feel perfectly at home in today's interiors.