The "Polar Bear" sofa: an icon of organic design and French chic

In 2018, the prestigious American magazine Architectural Digest (AD) devoted to interior design and landscaping featured a photo report on the Californian villa of American star Jennifer Aniston. On the other side of the Atlantic, people were raving not about the architectural qualities of the villa, but about a piece of French-designed furniture: the extraordinary 'Ours Polaire' sofa by French decorator Jean Royère. It has to be said that the global star of the TV series Friends, or failing that his interior decorator on assignment, has good taste, so much so that this sofa embodies an organic, avant-garde design for its time. This article looks back at this cult piece of design from the immediate post-war period. In 2018, the prestigious American magazine Architectural Digest (AD) devoted to interior design and landscaping featured a photo report on the Californian villa of American star Jennifer Aniston. On the other side of the Atlantic, people were raving not about the architectural qualities of the villa, but about a piece of French-designed furniture: the extraordinary 'Ours Polaire' sofa by French decorator Jean Royère. It has to be said that the global star of the TV series Friends, or failing that his interior decorator on assignment, has good taste, so much so that this sofa embodies an organic, avant-garde design for its time. This article looks back at this cult piece of design from the immediate post-war period. Interior of the Californian home of American star Jennifer Aniston. On the right, the "Polar Bear" sofa by Jean Royère. Interior of the Californian home of American star Jennifer Aniston, on the right, the "Polar Bear" sofa by Jean Royère. Page from the French magazine MOBILIER et DÉCORATION - No. 7, September-October 1956. The "Ours Polaire" sofa is in the foreground on the right. Page from the French magazine MOBILIER et DÉCORATION - No. 7, September-October 1956. The "Polar Bear" sofa is in the 1st plan on the right. Sofa Model "Boule" Dit "Ours Polaire", design Jean Royère, 1947. Sofa Model "Boule" Dit "Ours Polaire", design Jean Royère, 1947. Before discussing the aesthetic and functional qualities of this iconic sofa, created in the aftermath of the Second World War, we need to talk about its genius creator. Jean Royère (1902-1981) was a French designer whose work marked the twentieth century with its originality and bold aesthetic. His career began in the 1930s, after he abandoned a career in import-export to devote himself fully to interior design. Royère had no formal education in design or architecture - apart from training in the cabinet-making workshops of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine in Paris - but that didn't stop him from becoming one of the most influential interior designers of his time. Before discussing the aesthetic and functional qualities of this iconic sofa, created in the aftermath of the Second World War, we need to talk about its genius creator. Jean Royère (1902-1981) was a French designer whose work marked the twentieth century with its originality and bold aesthetic. His career began in the 1930s, after he abandoned a career in import-export to devote himself fully to interior design. Royère had no formal education in design or architecture - apart from training in the cabinet-making workshops of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine in Paris - but that didn't stop him from becoming one of the most influential interior designers of his time. Portrait of Jean Royère, circa 1930 © Les Arts Décoratifs Paris, all rights reserved. Portrait of Jean Royère, circa 1930 © Les Arts Décoratifs Paris, all rights reserved. He quickly gained renown for his creations that fused functionality and fantasy, breaking away from convention with an innovative, self-taught approach. His designs were characterised by organic shapes, bright colours and an inventive use of materials, ranging from forged metal to wood and luxurious textiles. He quickly gained a reputation for his creations that fused functionality and fantasy, breaking away from convention with a self-taught and innovative approach. His designs were characterised by organic shapes, bright colours and an inventive use of materials, ranging from forged metal to wood and luxurious textiles. Sofa and armchair, Jean Royère design, circa 1950. Sofa and armchair, Jean Royère design, circa 1950. Sofa and armchair, Jean Royère design, circa 1950. Sofa and armchair, Jean Royère design, circa 1950. Royère's influence extended far beyond France, with projects across Europe, the Middle East and South America, responding to international demand for haute couture interiors. For this reason, he is better known as a decorator than a designer. His works, such as the "Polar Bear" armchair, remain design classics, sought after for their timeless elegance and mischievous charm. Royère has extended his influence far beyond France, with projects across Europe, the Middle East and South America, responding to international demand for haute couture interiors. For this reason, he is better known as a decorator than a designer. His works, such as the "Polar Bear" armchair, remain design classics, sought after for their timeless elegance and mischievous charm. Jean Royère carried out numerous projects in the Near and Middle East in the 1950s, commissioned by rulers and sovereigns. Here, a decoration project for the Shah of Iran, a private lounge and cinema. Jean Royère carried out numerous projects in the Near and Middle East in the 1950s, at the request of rulers and sovereigns. Here, a decoration project for the Shah of Iran, a living room and private cinema. The "Polar Bear" armchair, or "Boule" as it was originally called, was designed in 1947 by Jean Royère to decorate the flat of the decorator's mother, located on rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré in Paris. This emblematic piece of furniture embodies the transition of post-war interior design towards a more organic, comfortable and human-centred aesthetic, breaking with the traditional and austere forms of the time. This makes it a highly sought-after piece for collectors around the world. The "Polar Bear" armchair, or "Boule" as it was originally named, was designed in 1947 by Jean Royère to decorate the flat of the decorator's mother, located on rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré in Paris. This emblematic piece of furniture embodies the transition of post-war interior design towards a more organic, comfortable and human-centred aesthetic, breaking with the traditional and austere forms of the time. This has made it a highly sought-after piece for collectors around the world. Why has this seat become an icon of post-war design? Firstly, because Jean Royère, with his innovative approach, designed a piece of furniture that invited relaxation and comfort, in stark contrast to the formalism of the pre-war period. Secondly, because the silhouette of the "Polar Bear" demonstrates Royère's skill in working with materials. He often used innovative fabrics for the time, such as curly wool , which gives the chair its characteristic soft and inviting appearance. This selection of materials not only challenged the aesthetic norms of the time, but also introduced a tactile dimension to the experience of furniture, which was quite innovative. The "Polar Bear" sofa, designed by Jean Royère, 1947. The model is presented in its classic colour, white, by Maison Jean Royère. The seat is covered in Maison Royère long-haired alpaca velvet. Maison Royère brings the genius of Jean Royère back to life (since 2019) -, making his most iconic and original pieces of furniture. The "Polar Bear" sofa, designed by Jean Royère, 1947. The model is presented in its classic colour, white, by Maison Jean Royère. The seat is covered in Maison Royère long-haired alpaca velvet. Maison Royère brings to life the genius of Jean Royère (since 2019) -, making his most iconic and original pieces of furniture. Aesthetically speaking, the sofa stands out for its voluptuous shapes and plush, plush-like appearance. With its wide, rounded armrests and generous seat, the design of the armchair encourages you to immerse yourself in its enveloping comfort. In evoking the piece of furniture, the experts refer to the biomorphic forms of sculptures by Jean Arp (1886-1966); the natural shape of the seat outweighs the functional aspect, thanks to an organic design that favours the expression of fluid forms. Aesthetically speaking, the sofa stands out for its voluptuous shapes and soft, plush appearance. With its wide, rounded armrests and generous seat, the design of the armchair encourages you to immerse yourself in its enveloping comfort. In evoking the piece of furniture, the experts refer to the biomorphic forms of the sculptures by Jean Arp (1886-1966); the natural shape of the seat outweighs the functional aspect, thanks to an organic design that favours the expression of fluid forms. Limestone sculpture by Jean Arp, Self-Dissolving Shell, 1936. Limestone sculpture by Jean Arp, Self-Dissolving Shell, 1936. Polar Bear" armchair, designed by Jean Royère, the armchair version of the sofa. This model was made by collector Wolfgang Joop, who ensured that the essence and character of the "Polar Bear" armchair designed by Jean Royère were faithfully preserved. Polar Bear" armchair, designed by Jean Royère, the armchair version of the sofa. This model was made by collector Wolfgang Joop, who ensured that the essence and character of the "Polar Bear" armchair designed by Jean Royère were faithfully preserved. Polar Bear" armchair by Wolfgang Joop, based on the furniture designed by Jean Royère. Seen from the back, the enveloping seat is an invitation to softness ... "Polar Bear" armchair by Wolfgang Joop, based on the furniture designed by Jean Royère. Viewed from the back, an enveloping seat that invites softness... In addition, the armchair is mounted on discreet wooden legs that barely seem able to support its ample shape, adding to the illusion that it is floating above the ground. This visual lightness was a feat at the time, when robustness was often favoured over airy elegance. It is therefore tempting to compare Jean Royère's famous armchair with Charles & Raymes Eames' no less famous creation, La Chaise, which, at the same time (1948), refers to Gaston Lachaise's sculpture "Personnage flottant" and is part of the search for an organic design with fluid curves. What's more, the armchair is mounted on discreet wooden legs that barely seem able to support its ample form, adding to the illusion that it is floating above the ground. This visual lightness was a feat at the time, when robustness was often favoured over airy elegance. It is tempting to compare Jean Royère's famous armchair with the no less famous creation by Charles & Raymes Eames, La Chaise, which, at the same time (1948), refers to the sculpture "Personnage flottant" by Gaston Lachaise and is part of the search for an organic design with fluid curves. "The Chair, designed by Charles & Ray Eames, 1948. "La Chaise", designed by Charles & Ray Eames, 1948. Jean Royère designed other pieces with fluid, organic shapes, such as this oak base table, Table Forme Libre n°1, designed in the 1950s. Jean Royère designed other pieces with fluid, organic shapes, such as this oak base table, the Table Forme Libre n°1 model, designed in the 1950s. Another example of Jean Royère's creativity in organic design is the sculptural Liane wall light. This model is made up of 5 black lacquered metal "lianas" and 5 white fabric shades. Another example of Jean Royère's creativity in organic design is the sculptural Liane wall light. This model is made up of 5 black lacquered metal "lianas" and 5 white fabric shades. The influence of this armchair on post-war design is undeniable. It paved the way for furniture that celebrated and encouraged personal comfort, while at the same time being a sculptural and expressive design object. Today, the 'Polar Bear' continues to be celebrated at auctions and design exhibitions as a symbol of Jean Royère's creative genius, and as a testament to the power of design in the cultural and aesthetic reconstruction of a society. The influence of this armchair on post-war design is undeniable. It paved the way for furniture that celebrated and encouraged personal comfort, as well as being a sculptural and expressive design object. Today, the "Polar Bear" continues to be celebrated at auctions and design exhibitions as a symbol of Jean Royère's creative genius, and as a testament to the power of design in the cultural and aesthetic reconstruction of a society. Éléphanteau armchair, designed by Jean Royère, 1939. Long before the famous "Polar Bear", Jean Royère was designing a seat with an enveloping and elegant design! Éléphanteau armchair, designed by Jean Royère, 1939. Long before the famous "Polar Bear", Jean Royère was designing a seat with an enveloping and elegant design! François Boutard François Boutard

The "Polar Bear" sofa: an icon of organic design and French chic

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