Vintage 1980's Attributed to Pascal Mourgue Iconic French Sculptural Contraste Rocking Chair, c.1982

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Attributed to Pascal Mourgue (France, 1943-2014) Model Contraste Rocking chair, late 20th century. A blackened wooden frame with a sculptural … Read more Attributed to Pascal Mourgue (France, 1943-2014) Model Contraste Rocking chair, late 20th century. A blackened wooden frame with a sculptural elliptical backrest and rocker base, paired with an upholstered ivory or off-white seat cushion.
No apparent maker's mark or label.
Balances minimalist design with ergonomic function. Materials: powder-coated wood and upholstered seat. No apparent maker's mark or label. Dimensions: 42.5 X 33.5 X 52 in. This was also designed as an armchair and chair. It was also produced from 1982 by Pamco Interior, Scarabat and Forum Diffusion. He also did work for Ligne Roset and Knoll. Along with Philippe Starck, Ettore Sottsass, Elizabeth Garouste & Bonetti he is an emblematic designer of 1980's design. Regarding this iconic design chair the designer made an evocative statement to Sophie Anargyros, a French art journalist and writer, speaking of "simplicity in form, playing with a square and a circle, but drawn by hand: to inscribe tensions. Working with wood, glued laminated and solid: a material whose constraints are so well known that they are integrated from the start, at the moment of conception. On some projects, we have to adapt the idea to the needs of the material, it's completely different." Pascal Mourgue in 1957 he began his studies at the école Boulle, at the age of 14-and-a-half. 1962 : made the acquaintance of Charlotte Perriand by telephone. 1968 : began designing furniture. 1988 : exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. 1994 : designed his first collection for Cinna, including most notably the Calin armchair. 1995 : designed the Mourgue bed for Cinna. 1996 : awarded the Grand Prix National de la Création Industrielle du Ministère de la Culture. 1997 : designed In Fine for Cinna. 2000 : designed Smala for Cinna. Label VIA 2000 IF Design Award and Red Dot Best of the Best 2001. 2007 : designed Pas si Classique for Cinna. SInce 1982 he focused on furniture as well as tapestry design. He was awarded the best French designer of the year in 1984 and won the Grand Prix of contemporary furniture criticism in 1986. His creations are included among others at MoMA in New York. His products, numerous and international in their reach, reflect a constant desire for modernity and simplicity. He accords as much importance to functionality and aesthetics as to the profitability of his products. Pascal Mourgue is above all else an artist and sculptor. He graduated from Boulle school (sculpture) and Ensad (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs). He began designing contemporary and modern furniture in 1962, while continuing to be a prolific artist. At the end of his career, Pascal Mourgue turned to artistic creation, drawing, sculpture and painting, influenced by the sculptor Ossip Zadkine whom he met in his youth. See less