Rating and value of armchairs, chairs and stools by Pierre Chapo

Rating and value of armchairs, chairs and stools by Pierre Chapo

Key takeaways

  • Pierre Chapo’s furniture fetches tens of thousands of euros at auction, with chairs selling for over €15,600 and S10 armchairs selling for €5,200 in 2015.
  • The 20th-century designer favored elm, a strong and durable wood, to create pieces with a sleek, timeless design featuring simple geometric lines.
  • Chapo’s creations are never signed, making expert appraisal essential for authenticating the pieces given the numerous counterfeits on the market.

If you own a work created by designer Pierre Chapo or based on his work and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will guide you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Thereafter, if you wish to sell your work, we will direct you to the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.


Artist's rating and value

A major 20th-century designer, Pierre Chapo's works are often presented in auction rooms. Indeed, Pierre Chapo's furniture is all the rage on the art market and highly prized by collectors. With his constantly rising market value, the designer has established himself as one of the most sought-after names on the market. A piece of furniture by Pierre Chapo can fetch tens of thousands of euros at auction. Witness his solid oak S10 armchairs, auctioned for over €5,200 in 2015.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

Type of furniture

Result

Armchair

From €50 to €11,000

Tabouret

From €150 to €13,000

Chairs

From €100 to €15,600

Banquette

From €800 to €16,900

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The artist's work and style

He was strongly influenced by organic architecture through to modern design. Pierre Chapo was attached to the use of natural materials, which he deliberately left raw in order to highlight the material's own beauty.

With his timeless style of clean lines and simple geometric forms, Pierre Chapo paid great attention to detail and quality of execution. As a result, his works were often designed with visible joints and assemblies, emphasizing the handcrafted construction and solidity of his pieces.

As a designer, Chapo placed great importance on the practical function of his furniture. His pieces were therefore versatile and ergonomic, optimizing the use of space while maintaining an elegant, balanced sense of design.

Also known for his exploration of textures and materials, Pierre Chapo created tactile, sensory surfaces on his works. In addition, the designer has often incorporated sculptural elements into his furniture, to create organic forms.

Chapo, canapé en orme et cuir

Pierre Chapo, iconic 20th-century designer

Pierre Chapo was born in Paris in 1927. After graduating as an architect, he travels to many countries with his wife Nicole Lormier, also an artist. During his travels, Pierre Chapo visited such places as Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio at Taliesin West. This visit would have a lasting influence on his art.

It was in the 50s that Chapo, aided by his wife, produced his first works and marketed them. It was a great success, with the designer attracting loyal customers.

His creations are simple and uncluttered, they are also devoid of all ornamentation, bringing furniture back to traditional craftsmanship.

Chapo wanted to make the design of his furniture something aesthetically pleasing. His material of choice is elm, a wood that is particularly resistant and durable over time  this is one of the reasons why his furniture is extremely highly prized.

In 1960, Pierre Chapo was awarded the gold medal at the Craft Exhibition in Paris. At the same time, he decided to challenge himself to depart from his successful productions and rethink his entire approach to furniture. He drew inspiration from Charlotte Perriand's pieces.

His new furniture drew on the Provençal tradition, the region in which he settled in 1968.

He even opened his own furniture factory, the "Chapo Gordes SA", still in operation today.

Throughout his career, Pierre Chapo put forward his artistic vision at numerous conferences on traditional wood craftsmanship. He speaks in France and abroad. He encourages students to preserve this craft.

In 1983, Pierre Chapo was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. Enormously weakened, he died in 1987, shortly before his sixtieth birthday.

The success of Pierre Chapo seating on the auction market

Pierre Chapo armchairs are particularly prized on the market because their design is timeless. Along with the chairs, sofas and stools created by the designer, they are pieces of furniture that can dress up any interior, whether the mood is busy, dark, light, or minimalist.

Moreover, Pierre Chapo's creations are particularly hard-wearing, being mostly made from elm, a quality wood that is extremely difficult to obtain today.

Pierre Chapo, bancs semi-circulaires S38A

Designer signature

Pierre Chapo furniture is never signed. This is why the expertise of your furniture is paramount. What's more, as a highly-rated and sought-after designer who made a considerable mark on his era, his furniture is extremely copied and counterfeited.

Expertise your property

If you own a work by Pierre Chapo, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and licensed auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your work signed Pierre Chapo or after Pierre Chapo.

If you are considering selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each object.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Who is Pierre Chapo, and what is his artistic background?
    Pierre Chapo (1927–1987) was an iconic 20th-century designer, trained as an architect and influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture. He established himself as a major figure in French modernist design by favoring raw, natural materials, clean lines, and traditional woodworking techniques, particularly with elm. His timeless approach, combining aesthetics and functionality, has made his creations sought-after pieces in the art market.
  • What is the price range for Pierre Chapo's armchairs, chairs, and stools?
    Prices vary considerably depending on the type of furniture and its rarity. Armchairs range from €50 to €11,000, chairs from €100 to €15,600, while stools can fetch between €150 and €13,000, depending on auction results. Prestigious pieces, such as the S10 armchairs in solid oak, can exceed €5,200, and benches can reach up to €16,900.
  • How can you identify a piece of furniture by Pierre Chapo and verify its authenticity?
    Since Pierre Chapo’s furniture is never signed, an appraisal is essential to confirm its authenticity. Because his pieces are highly sought after and widely counterfeited, we recommend having your item appraised by a certified expert. Auctie's offers a free, no-obligation appraisal: fill out our online form, and a specialized auctioneer will contact you within 48 hours with a detailed appraisal report.
  • Is this the right time to sell a piece of furniture by Pierre Chapo?
    Yes, it’s a favorable market. Pierre Chapo remains a safe bet on the market, with values that continue to rise: his furniture is highly sought after by collectors due to its timelessness, its exceptional durability (particularly pieces made of elm, a wood that has become rare), and the quality of its craftsmanship. Demand remains stable and high for this type of 20th-century designer furniture.
  • How does the sales process work at Auctie's?
    Auctie's guides you from appraisal to auction. You start with a free, no-obligation appraisal conducted by our experts and licensed auctioneers, who will provide you with an estimate within 48 hours. Then, if you decide to sell, our specialists will guide you toward the best strategy to maximize the price of your furniture, taking into account market trends and the unique characteristics of your piece.