A chair by Paul Hankar
Paul Hankar maintains close ties with the Wolfers family. After collaborating at the 1897 international exhibition, he designs a family estate for the brothers on the outskirts of Brussels, situated between La Hulpe and Overijse (which no longer exists). This unique seat, on loan from the Design Museum Gent, is crafted for the smoking room of the cottage Les Glycines, located on the estate.
The interwoven structure gives the seat an imposing yet elegant and delicate appearance, featuring a backrest made of woven strips of leather that evoke a spider web. The weave resembles a cross-section of a Chinese window, while the seat recalls a medieval or Roman breastplate. Although the chair is not truly foldable, its shape references traditional Asian and African seating. The fascination with Oriental and African influences reaches its peak at the international exhibition in Tervuren in 1897. There, Hankar showcases his ability to integrate historical and non-European styles, displaying a particular preference for the Far East, likely influenced by his patron Philippe Wolfers, who holds a special admiration for him.
Discover this chair in the temporary exhibition Belgian Art Nouvea. Van de Velde, Serrurier-Bovy, Hankar & Co.
Until May 4th, 2025.
