When it came to creating his visually pleasing armchairs, lounge chairs and office chairs, designer Geoffrey Harcourt stuck to his design dictum: “First the person, then the chair.” The result? Mid-century modern furniture that was not only ergonomic and comfortable but artistic in form.
Born in 1935 in London, Harcourt’s artistic leanings began at an early age. In his youth, he attended the High Wycombe Technical School, followed by the High Wycombe School of Art, where he obtained a national diploma in design and a place to study at the Royal College of Art. After graduating in 1960, Harcourt left the United Kingdom. for Chicago, where he worked in industrial design until 1961. Then, he went to Copenhagen and worked with designer Jacob Jensen.
In 1962, Harcourt returned to the U.K. and began designing his first series of open-armed chairs for the Dutch furniture manufacturing company Artifort. His Space Age 042 Series lounge chair, designed in 1963, was an immediate success and launched Artifort into the international furniture market — like Olivier Mourgue’s low-slung Djinn chair, Harcourt’s seat was also prominently featured in Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Harcourt designed several other notable pieces for Artifort. These included his “500 Series” lounge chairs in 1967, the F140 swivel chair in 1970, and the undulating “Cleopatra” chaise longue also in 1970.
In addition to Artifort, Harcourt designed for several other furniture companies such as Dynamite Nobel, Mines and West, Trau of Turin, Hands of Wycombe and Steelcase Strafor. In his 70s, Harcourt retired from furniture design to focus on painting.
Harcourt’s furniture pieces have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Design Council in London and Glasgow, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague. In 1978, he was awarded the title of Royal Designer for Industry by the Royal Society of Arts.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Geoffrey Harcourt lounge chairs and other seating.
Cleopatra Sofa by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
This beautiful model Cleopatra Chaise Longue or Sofa was designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort in the 70's. It has the original high-quality Kvadrat wool fabric in the color ...
Fabric, Foam
Cleopatra Sofa by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
This beautiful model Cleopatra chaise longue or sofa was designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort in the 70's. This original Artifort piece has just been reupholstered with lov...
Fabric
Cleopatra Sofa by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
This beautiful model Cleopatra Chaise Longue or Sofa was designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort in the 70's. It has the original high-quality Kvadrat wool fabric in the color ...
Fabric, Foam
$4,493 / set
H 33.08 in W 27.56 in D 29.53 in
Geoffrey Harcourt Pair of F152 Lounge Chairs with Ottoman for Artifort 1975
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Meer, VAN
Geoffrey Harcourt Pair of F152 Lounge Chairs with Ottoman for Artifort, The Netherlands, 1975. Beautiful and original pair of swivel lounge chairs designed by Geoffrey Harcourt (193...
Leather, Wool
$2,939 / set
H 32.29 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Early 'F141' Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1972
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Iconic ‘F141’ swivel lounge chair designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort in 1972. This is a chocolate brown leather version and it comes with its rare and matching footstool. Ear...
Metal
$2,800
H 29.53 in W 27.96 in D 26.78 in
Artifort F976 Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt, Orange Leather, Italy, 1970s
By Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Roma, IT
Artifort Chair F976 is a design item realized by Geoffrey Harcourt in 1970s The chair is designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort in 1968. Model F976. Orange leather. White plast...
Leather, Plastic
$6,944
H 25.99 in W 75.6 in D 35.83 in
Geoffrey Harcourt's Iconic 1970s Cleopatra Chaise Lounge by Artifort
By Geoffrey D. Harcourt, Artifort
Located in Hilversum, NL
Inspired by the timeless concept of the chaise longue, Geoffrey Harcourt's interpretation from 1970 stands as a testament to modern design. Known as the Cleopatra, this unique Dutch...
Wool
$3,600 / set
H 29 in W 29 in D 29 in
Pair of white Leather Geoffrey Harcourt 042 lounge chairs for Artifort
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of white Leather Geoffrey Harcourt 042 lounge chairs for Artifort. Pre owned chairs that are very clean all around. Great pair of Modern Lounge chairs. These chair look to be re...
Steel
Geoffrey Harcourt High Back Executive Chair for Artifort
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Dutch manufacturer Artifort, this high back executive rolling chair features horizontally channeled black skai upholstery across both the tall backr...
Aluminum
$2,950
H 31.11 in W 69.69 in D 27.56 in
Geoffrey Harcourt Leather Bench for Artifort, the Netherlands, 1960s
By Geoffrey Harcourt, Artifort
Located in Almelo, NL
Geoffrey Harcourt Leather Bench for Artifort, The Netherlands 1960s This mid-century modern bench, designed by Geoffrey D. Harcourt for Artifort in the 1960s, is the perfect addit...
Aluminum, Steel
$8,399 / item
H 25.99 in W 75.6 in D 35.83 in
Customizable Artifort Cleopatra Chaise Lounge by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
By Geoffrey D. Harcourt, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Countless designers have been inspired by the IDEA behind the chaise lounge. Here is the interpretation of Geoffrey Harcourt from 1970. A perfect seat on which to stretch out and unw...
Textile
$2,800
H 30.25 in W 31 in D 30 in
One Mid Century F588 Lounge Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
One Mid Century F588 Lounge Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s. Original flower fabric, swivel base. We have another matching chair with ottoman, listed separately.
Metal
Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort F588 Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two Geoffrey Harcourt F588 Swivel Lounge Chairs for Artifort, 1967 Designed in 1967 by acclaimed British designer Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, the F588 swivel chair is a celebrat...
Metal
$4,076 / item
H 36.62 in W 32.29 in D 26.78 in
Customizable Artifort F156 Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
By Geoffrey D. Harcourt, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
A luxury chair for day-dreaming, relaxing or holding a conversation. It also has an optional footstool for even more comfort. Available in two versions, both with armrests. The chair...
Textile
$5,251
H 32.29 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Iconic 'F518' Lounge Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Iconic ‘F518’ swivel lounge chair designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort (Holland) in the early 1970s. It has been professionally reupholstered with a funky blue fabric by Aristi...
Metal
Sold
H 25.99 in W 75.6 in D 35.83 in
Iconic “Cleopatra” chaise longue by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Antwerp, BE
Iconic “Cleopatra” chaise longue designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort in the 1970s, a sculptural and highly recognizable piece of modernist seat...
Fabric, Wool
Sold
H 32.29 in W 27.56 in D 35.44 in
F142 Disk Base Swivel Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Hilversum, NL
Braun leather armchair with metal frame by Geoffrey Harcourt. The stylish leather covers both of the arms as well as the bottom and back of chair. Good original condition. A luxury c...
Leather
Sold
H 25.99 in W 75.6 in D 35.83 in
Mid Century Cleopatra Sofa by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s
By Geoffrey Harcourt, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
This beautiful model Cleopatra chaise longue or Sofa was designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort in the 70's. It has just been reupholstered with lovely and soft Italian Bouclé wo...
Fabric
Cleopatra Sofa by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
This model Cleopatra chaise longue was manufactured by Artifort in the 1970s and designed by Geoffrey Harcourt. It has the original high-quality Kvadrat wool fabric and it is in very...
Fabric