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Antique Pierre Chapo 'B17B' bookcase in solid elm France
About the Item
A rare B17B wall unit, or bibliothèque, designed by Pierre Chapo. The shelving system was designed in 1967 where it was presented at the Salon des Arts Ménagers. This robust and solid bookcase consist of four elm shelves that rest under brackets. Normally, brackets are used underneath the shelves, yet Chapo decided to play with these rules and made sure that the supports fit perfectly into the uprights. For this reason, the supports work more as bookends than as supports. This bookcase frees up a lot of living space. The wall unit is in the Champagne style of which Chapo was an important exponent, together with Charlotte Perriand.
Pierre Chapo was born in a family of craftsmen and trained as an architect at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Already from a young age, he felt the need to roam the world. Throughout his career, Chapo combined his interest for contemporary design with his love for traditional craftsmanship. In his designs, he was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's balanced lines, Corbusier's research on proportions and the ideas of Bauhaus. The three principles that motivated Pierre Chapo were 'material, form, and function.' He measured his furniture by means of golden ratio and used elmwood as his preferred material. Unfortunately, Chapo fell ill, and he died in 1987, however, until his last day, he kept on designing and working.
- Creator:Pierre Chapo (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 72.05 in (183 cm)Width: 88.98 in (226 cm)Depth: 13.78 in (35 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:The bookcase is in very good condition for its age. It has a very nice patina. Of course there are small signs of wear, but nothing significant and nothing serious to report. Very robust structure.
- Seller Location:Genève, CH
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10267243450202
Pierre Chapo
Pierre Chapo, who was born in Paris, France, in July 1927, was initially interested in becoming a professional painter. However, after a chance meeting with a shipbuilder who introduced him to wood and woodworking, Chapo changed his focus and decided to study architectural studies at the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
After graduating, Chapo and his wife, the sculptor and painter Nicole Lormier, started traveling extensively through Scandinavia and Central America. Among the many places the couple visited was Taliesin West, the home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright — a visit that had a lasting influence on Chapo’s future work and designs.
Find a collection of vintage Pierre Chapo coffee tables, stools and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by H. Gallery)
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