Pál Vince (Weisz/Weiss Pál) – Pair of Bespoke Armchairs for Miklós Engel, 1947–1948 Material: solid wood, black walnut legs, luxury fabric upholstery (Luxory Tessuti) Origin: Hungary | Condition: fully restored This rare, documented pair of armchairs was designed by Pál Vince (born Weisz/Weiss Pál, 1909–1994), one of the leading figures of mid-20th-century Hungarian design. He studied under Professor Gyula Kaesz, a key figure in Hungarian applied arts and design education, and later continued his architectural studies under Emil Fahrenkamp in Düsseldorf. Vince’s work bridges interwar European modernism and postwar Hungarian craftsmanship. Commissioned by Miklós Engel between 1947 and 1948, the model is documented in the archives of the Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest (“Furnishing of Miklós Engel’s Apartment”, Inventory No. KRTF 4499.13.a–e). The period archival photograph clearly shows these exact armchairs in their original interior. Characterized by refined proportions, soft curvature and architectural precision, the design captures the modernist elegance of the postwar period. More than functional furniture, these are art-historical artifacts, representing a crucial moment in the renewal of Hungarian design culture. Both chairs were found in severely deteriorated condition and underwent a complete restoration: the frame was re-glued and reinforced, the legs stabilized, and the spring system re-tied by hand. At that time, the chairs had not yet been identified as works by Pál Vince, so the lower horizontal padding line was ended at the armrest rather than continued vertically as in the archival photo. After identification, the decision was made not to alter the restored state, preserving the transparency and integrity of the process. A rare, custom-made and museum-documented pair, representing the synthesis of Hungarian craftsmanship and European modernism — ideal for a museum collection or curated interior.