Intro

Eileen Gray
Eileen Gray (1878-1976) was an Irish-born furniture designer and architect who is
known for her innovative designs that blend traditional craftsmanship with
modernist principles. She was an important figure in the Art Deco movement
and one of the few female designers of her time.
Gray began her career as a lacquer artist in Paris. She created several iconic
pieces, Her designs were characterized by their functional simplicity, geometric
forms, and use of new materials like steel tubing and glass.

Bibendum Chair
(1926) Polished chromium plated tubular steel base. Fully
upholstered seat, back and armrests covered in fabric or
leather in various colours. H 730mm SH 410mm W
900mm D 780mm *Eileen Gray used this chair in a few of
her interiors. The design was influenced by the then
famous 'Bibendum' Michelin Man of inflated tyres, which
remains Michelin's trade mark. She was also jesting that
this was her response as a feminist to Le Corbusier's
'Grand Confort'.

Inspiration
The Bibendum Chair was inspired by the
Michelin Man, also known as Bibendum,
the logo for the Michelin tire company.
Eileen Gray, the architect and designer
who created the chair, was fascinated

by the Michelin Man's shape and sought
to capture his rotund and pliable
physique in her design. The chair's
rounded backrest and seat mimic the
shape of the Michelin Man's body, while
the padded upholstery evokes his soft
and pliable form. The chair's frame is
made of polished chrome, which gives it
a sleek and modern look. Gray's
Bibendum Chair is widely regarded as a
masterpiece of modern design and is
considered one of the most iconic chairs
of the 20th century
Construction
The construction of the chair consists of a steel frame that
supports two large, circular cushions for the seat and backrest.
The cushions are made from high-density foam, covered in
leather or fabric, and sewn together with a series of pleats that
give the chair its distinctive shape.
The steel frame of the Bibendum chair is made up of two curved,
U-shaped tubes that form the arms and legs of the chair. The
tubes are bent and welded together to create a strong and stable
frame that can support the weight of the cushions.
The design of the Bibendum chair was groundbreaking at the

Type time, as it departed from traditional furniture designs that used

rigid, linear forms. Instead, Gray created a chair that was soft,
comfortable, and sculptural, with curves and contours that
echoed the human form.

Today, the Bibendum chair is considered a design classic and is

still produced by high-end furniture manufacturers around the
world. Its timeless design and exceptional comfort continue to
make it a popular choice for both residential and commercial
Velvet Leather interiors.
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