Vintage Chapo B17 book shelve in solid Elm French 1960s

Pierre Chapo, bibliothèque, model no. B17, elm, France, 1960s. Great patina on the wood, one of the earliest shelves made. This is a rare and large model ’B17’ - shelves designed by Pierre Chapo. The shelving system was created in 1967 where it was presented at the Salon des Arts Ménagers. This robust and solid bookcase consists of four elm shelves that rest under brackets. The bookshelves are in the Campagne style of which Chapo was an important exponent, together with Charlotte Perriand. Pierre Chapo (1927-1987) was born in a family of craftsmen and trained as an architect in Paris. After spending many years traveling through South and North America he and his partner Nicole set up Société Chapo, an architectural research consultancy and interior design firm. In 1958 they opened their famous gallery at 14 Boulevard de l’Hopital. Chapo’s work originated by means of special commissions that could later be adapted to universal needs. Chapo was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s balanced lines, Corbusier’s research on proportions, and Bauhaus. Societe Chapo was a design workshop and gallery in one where Nicole presented ceramics, textiles and other design by the great designers of the day. 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. W 226 cm, D 35 cm, H 190 cm