His smoldering gaze, chiseled features and roles in such films as The Leopard and Le Samourai won actor Alain Delon international fame in the 1960s. His name and face became emblematic of a certain type of cool French sophistication, and in the 1970s, many fans may be surprised to learn, Delon brought his sense of style to bear on the world of furniture design, when he created a series of pieces for Maison Jansen, the venerable Paris decorating firm established by Dutchman Jean-Henri Jansen in 1880.
Delon’s designs run the gamut of forms, from cabinets and consoles to side tables and armchairs, and a few pieces — notably, his backgammon tables — nod to chic and languorous leisure interests.
The detailing and materials of many of his designs point to Art Deco inspirations: scalloped and fluted edges, lacquer finishes and brass trim. Other, more angular pieces, like his backgammon tables, suggest a modern take on chinoiserie.
Whatever form they take, as you will see on these pages, all of Alain Delon’s designs have an elegance and glamor that would make them the centerpiece of a sleek, simple decor.
Find vintage Alain Delon furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
The Dutch-born Jean-Henri Jansen (1854–1928) was only in his mid-20s when he set up his Parisian design business in 1880. By the time he died, Maison Jansen had become the world’s first international decorating firm. Today, it is still regarded as one of the most notable firms and period furniture manufacturers in history, with its vintage floor lamps, tables, dressers and other furnishings remaining in demand.
Maison Jansen initially came to international prominence in 1883 when the young Jean-Henri Jansen traveled to Amsterdam to participate in the International Colonial Exposition, an event that featured presentations by 28 different nations and was attended by over a million visitors. There he exhibited as part of the French pavilion and won the silver medal. This led to two prominent new clients: King William III of the Netherlands and King Alfonso XII of Spain.
Next was King Leopold II of Belgium for the interiors of the Château du Laeken, as well as commissions for Egypt’s King Farouk and Great Britain’s King Edward VII. Thanks to his participation in global expositions and fairs, Jansen expanded the renown of the firm so that its studios would reign in such major cities as London, New York, Buenos Aires, Cairo and many more.
Jansen was not only sought after for his taste but also for his custom period-inspired pieces. For example, in the Count and Countess de Revilla de Camargo’s Havana mansion, Jansen designed Louis XV–style furniture crafted from Cuban mahogany, enhancing Maison Jansen’s reputation as an expert maker. His custom furniture business was so successful that by 1900 he had opened his own atelier and employed around 700 artisans.
In the 1960s, the firm, then led by Stéphane Boudin, worked with Jacqueline Kennedy on the refurbishment of rooms in the White House, including such spaces as the Queens’ Sitting Room, which featured bright blue fabric and neoclassical details. In the 1970s, legendary French actor Alain Delon brought his sense of style to bear on the world of furniture design, when he created a series of pieces for Maison Jansen.
Maison Jansen continued to produce furniture designs through the 20th century, responding to shifting tastes from Art Nouveau to Modern Regency. The atelier and studio officially closed its doors in 1989.
Find authentic Maison Jansen sofas, lighting and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Alain Delon Hollywood Regency Sofa for Maison Jansen
By Maison Jansen, Alain Delon
Located in Conversano, IT
This extraordinary sofa was born from the collaboration between the legendary French actor Alain Delon and the prestigious Maison Jansen, one of the most renowned Parisian furnishing...
Silk
Alain Delon 1970 Hollywood Regency Silk Armchair & Sofa for Maison Jansen France
By Maison Jansen, Alain Delon
Located in Conversano, IT
This extraordinary set, composed of a sofa and an armchair, was born from the collaboration between legendary French actor Alain Delon and the prestigious Maison Jansen — one of the ...
Silk
Cesare Lacca Mid Century Modern Italian Velvet Armchair for ISA Bergamo
By Cesare Lacca, ISA Bergamo
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary armchair designed by Cesare Lacca for the renowned manufacturer ISA (Industria Salotti e Arredamenti) Bergamo, dating back to the 1950s. This piece is an emblematic exa...
Brass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Artona Leather Armchair Maxalto 1980
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning and very rare "Artona 8551" armchair designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in the early 1980s. The armchair is entirely upholstered in ultra-soft biscuit...
Animal Skin
Mario Bellini Radical Italian Cotton Fabric Le Stelle Sofa for B&B Italia 1970
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Conversano, IT
Designed by Mario Bellini and produced by B&B Italia in the late 1970s, Le Stelle is one of the most emblematic creations of Italian design from that decade, an expression of the formal and technological research that defined the celebrated partnership between Bellini and the Novedrate-based company. The sofa stands out for its fluid and enveloping silhouette, built on a supporting structure in iron and steel that holds a cold-moulded polyurethane foam and Dacron® fibre padding—cutting-edge materials developed by B&B Italia in collaboration with its internal research centre during the golden age of Italian industrial design. Its profile, both soft and architectural, opens in a visual embrace: the inclined armrests unfold outward like wings, while the curved backrest and generous cushions define a deep, informal comfort. The name Le Stelle evokes a cosmic dimension, typical of Bellini’s poetic and experimental language, who at the time conceived the sofa as a microcosm of form, function and material. The upholstery is the original period fabric, an elasticised textile with diagonal stripes in shades of pink and salmon—a rare and refined chromatic combination that has preserved its authenticity. The original B&B Italia label, still present beneath the seat, certifies its provenance and the patented materials (Lycra®, Polysoft®, Dacron®), offering direct testimony to the company’s technological philosophy. Beyond its aesthetic value, Le Stelle represents a historical document of Italian radical design, where comfort and experimentation coexist in perfect balance. This example, preserved in its original integrity, is a true collector’s piece for enthusiasts and connoisseurs of 20th-century design, as well as a sculptural and poetic presence in any contemporary interior. It shows minimal signs of age, such as a few lateral marks, documented in the photographs and removable with a specific treatment, but is generally in excellent vintage condition. Product Name: Le Stelle Sofa...
Iron
Luciano Frigerio Italian Modern Suede Armchairs for Frigerio Di Desio 1970
By Frigerio Di Desio, Luciano Frigerio
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary modular Stropiccio sofa by Luciano Frigerio, an authentic rarity of 1970s Italian design, published in Domus in 1975, perfectly embodying the visionary and sculptural s...
Suede
Upholstered and Solid Wood "Seccia" Armchair by Robert Stilin, United States
Located in New York City, NY
Armchair with solid wood frame, made an upholstered in New York. The price listed is for COM upholstery, and the lead-time is 8-10 weeks. NOTE: Customer must provide their own fabri...
Upholstery, Wood
Luxury Italian Upholstered Armchair Mogg Pepla Design Bellavista & Piccini P_06
By Bellavista e Piccini, Mogg
Located in Varedo, MB
Designed by Bellavista & Piccini for Mogg, the Pepla armchair is a contemporary upholstered seating piece that redefines the concept of comfort through an elegant balance of softness...
Fabric, Wood
Art Deco Armchair with Wood Detailing, Europe first half of the 20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
Art Deco seating developed around a balance between modern construction and a more decorative approach to form. While earlier movements prioritised either ornament or strict function...
Fabric, Wood
Luxury Italian Upholstered Armchair Mogg Pepla Design Bellavista & Piccini T_61
By Mogg, Bellavista e Piccini
Located in Varedo, MB
Designed by Bellavista & Piccini for Mogg, the Pepla armchair is a contemporary upholstered seating piece that redefines the concept of comfort through an elegant balance of softness...
Fabric, Wood
Luxury Italian Upholstered Armchair Mogg Pepla Design Bellavista & Piccini P_04
By Bellavista e Piccini, Mogg
Located in Varedo, MB
Designed by Bellavista & Piccini for Mogg, the Pepla armchair is a contemporary upholstered seating piece that redefines the concept of comfort through an elegant balance of softness...
Fabric, Wood
Lounge Swivel Chair by Cameron Collection
By Cameron Design House
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details Below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can usually ship it for less and get it to you faster. Click on "Ask The Seller" and send us your zip code for a quote. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Fangasmic Upholstered Full Swivel Club Chair by CAMERON COLLECTION...
Cotton
