The Birth of Ruth Francken’s “Homme” Chair

The Birth of Ruth Francken’s “Homme” Chair

I came across this photo of a humanoid chair. I searched the web via Google Images (copy the image in the image search field and you get similar images and links – click this link for the result). So I found a post at MONDOBLOGO with more background info.

In 1971 French designer Ruth Francken took a fine looking young man and copied his beautiful backside with plaster to create a mold for the “Homme” Chair (Ruth was French and Homme is French for man).

The final Homme Chair was isued in a limited edition. Later (1988) two more series of limited editions were made: 150 examples in black, 150 examples in white by Gallerie X, 1988, lacquered polyester and tubular steel.

Some auction results:

• Christie’s South Kensington, 4 March 2008: Estimate £3,000 – £4,000 ($5,955 – $7,940) – Price Realized £9,375 ($18,609). (Second edition).
• Christie’s Paris 28 May 2008: Price Realized €57,850 ($91,243) – Estimate €15,000 – €20,000 ($24,000 – $31,000). (First Edition, lot 400). At the same auction there was a second chair that fetched €48,250 ($76,101) (First edition, Lot 399.
• in 2011 at Christie’s London (King Street, October, 25) the result was £17,500 ($27,948) (First Series)