Exceptional pair of “Culbuto” armchairs, designed by French designer Marc Held in 1967 and produced by Knoll International, circa 1970.
One of Marc Held’s most recognizable designs, the Culbuto was conceived as a sculptural rocking and swiveling chair. Its distinctive rounded shell is made of molded fiberglass-reinforced polyester, allowing the chair to gently rock and pivot with the movement of the sitter. The model entered production with Knoll around 1970.
This pair features off-white fiberglass shells contrasted with dark brown leather upholstery, covering the high backrests, armrests and seats. The generous organic proportions and continuous curves give the chairs a particularly sculptural presence, characteristic of the experimental French design of the late 1960s.
The chairs retain their Knoll International labels, visible beneath the seat cushions, providing the date of sale, 1st of August 1973.
The Culbuto is represented in important institutional collections, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
Marc Held (born 1932) is a French designer, architect, and photographer whose work played an important role in the development of postwar French design. Largely self-taught, he established his own design practice in Paris in the 1960s and quickly gained recognition for his innovative approach to furniture and interiors. His work combines sculptural forms, functionality, and experimentation with modern materials. Among his most celebrated creations is the Culbuto armchair, designed in 1967 and later produced by Knoll International. Held also collaborated with major companies including Prisunic and IBM. His work spans furniture, industrial design, architecture, and photography, reflecting a distinctive vision of modern living and the creative optimism of the 1960s and 1970s.