29 - JOSEPH-ANDRÉ MOTTE (Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, France, 1925 – Paris, 2013) for Steiner.

JOSEPH-ANDRÉ MOTTE (Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, France, 1925 – Paris, 2013) for Steiner. Set of six “A6” model chairs. Designed in 1959, produced in the 2010s. Plywood, leather, and black-lacquered metal. In good condition. Measurements: 84.5 x 45 x 50 cm (each chair). Seat height: 48 cm. The “A6” model is one of the most innovative designs by Joseph-André Motte, a key figure in postwar French furniture design. Conceived in 1959 and presented at the Salon des Arts Ménagers in Paris, it stands out for its construction of extraordinary formal simplicity that anticipates some of the most experimental proposals in contemporary design. Its structure combines molded plywood pieces, joined by interlocking notches, with a lightweight three-legged metal base. This edition combines the warmth of exposed wood with leather-upholstered seats, three of which are in an orange hue and the other three in black. The color contrast reinforces the organic lines of the design, characterized by its rounded profiles and refined geometry. Although conceived in the late 1950s, the chair was never marketed at that time and was revived by Steiner in 2011, highlighting the enduring relevance of a design that was ahead of its time. Joseph-André Motte was one of the leading figures in mid-20th-century French design. In 1954, together with Pierre Guariche and Michel Mortier, he founded the Atelier de Recherches Plastiques (ARP), dedicated to revitalizing furniture through new formal solutions and industrial techniques. A recipient of the René-Gabriel Prize in 1957 and the Compasso d’Oro in 1970, he also developed major interior design projects for Orly Airport and the Paris Metro. His work is represented in institutions such as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the Mobilier national in France.