Original 1984 "Costes" Dining Chairs Attributed to Philippe Starck for Driade — Set of 4

Details

Description

A set of 4 "Costes" chairs by Starck.

Note: an additional pair of slightly lighter colored Costes chairs are also … Read more A set of 4 "Costes" chairs by Starck.

Note: an additional pair of slightly lighter colored Costes chairs are also available in a separate listing. You could combine these 4 with that pair of 2 for a set of 6.

These are definitive masterpieces of 1980s post-modern Italian design. Designed by the legendary Philippe Starck in 1984, the "Costes" chairs were originally conceived for the bustling interiors of the historic, now-defunct Café Costes in Paris. This seminal design marked the historic beginning of Starck’s world-renowned partnership with Driade, launching him into the global design vanguard.

The chair’s striking silhouette is celebrated for its absolute economy of form and clever functional geometry. Designed with only three heavily tilted tubular steel legs, Starck specifically engineered the tripod structure to eliminate unnecessary bulk, preventing busy Parisian waiters from tripping over extra chair legs. The enveloping, dark mahogany-stained plywood shell serves as a single curved barrel backrest that effortlessly seamlessly blends into sloped armrests. An upholstered seat wrapped in premium black leather completes the mid-century modern aesthetic, providing unexpected comfort within a highly sculptural footprint. Widely copied but never equaled, this authentic, early-production set of four represents the pinnacle of 20th-century collectible furniture.

Creator: Designed by Philippe Starck
Manufacturer: Produced by Driade Aleph (Italy)
Production Period: 1980s
Materials: Enameled tubular steel, curved plywood and wooden veneer, black leather upholstery
Design Distinction: Rare early 3-leg tripod construction with a hand-grip cutout on the upper back shell
Condition: Good vintage condition with minor age-appropriate wear to the leather and light scuffs to the wood shell, legs in very good condition

Chairs have no attribution mark, however they are well documented in design history. We take full responsibility for any authenticity issues. See less