Nicolle Stool: a fantastic Vintage Industrial Furniture
From 1913, the “Etablissements Nicolle”, based in Montreuil, France, were specialized in the manufacture of washers (the Belleville washer very well known). As they needed better metal stools for their workers, they designed the “Nicolle Stool” for their own use and for some of their neighbouring factories. So was born this iconic Industrial Furniture: The “Nicolle Stool” in 1933, with its three stamped metal legs and a seat in the shape of a large washer.
Soon afterwards they added a backrest, which was compared after the war to the “tail of a whale”, creating the “Nicolle Chair”. The industrial stool later became stackable and a fourth leg was added to increase its stability (and because of safety standards at the time). Soon, it was bought and used in factories all over France. It was available in eight different heights, ranging from 45 cm to 80 cm, making it suitable for use with many kinds of machinery.
In 1954, the company “Etablissements Nicolle” designed two different models of industrial stool with adjustable screws: the 45/60 and the 60/80.
In the early 60s the company was sold to an American Group and the former foreman, Pierre Maurice Felix, started his own business. He resumed the manufacture of the “Nicolle” stool, the marketing of which was entrusted to Manutan. The dominance of Nicolle stools within French industry then continued. The all-metal designs were fitted with flat cork seats, and later also with wooden seats. However, a new law, requiring that swivel seats used for working at machinery should have five legged bases, signalled the death of the “Nicole Stool”.
Then, a Paris based antiques dealer, M. Jerome Lepert, specializing in 20th century Industrial Design, noticed the Nicolle stool in the pages of an old catalogue, setting out in search of its manufacturer, he eventually discovered the moulds, stored in a shed. After having been sold by Monsieur Felix, the company had gone into receivership. M. Lepert put himself forward as the purchaser of this valuable piece of equipment and restarted production in 2008 in the former factory. The press was reconditioned, the stools restored and the first stools left the workshop.
Now brightly coloured, the Nicolle stool has been the star of interiors magazines and boutiques ever since. It is still manufactured as at the beginning. But you can nowadays only find it in 3 different heights: 45cm, 60 cm and 75cm.
Why not trying to find those vintage ones with their beautiful patina?
With their different heights you can really find some to fit in your interior, with a desk or in your kitchen, at your table or at your worktop for the highest. Why not put some Nicolle stools with some Tolix Chairs. What a beautiful combination!
Visit La Boutique Vintage to find a great collection of Vintage Industrial Stools.
Few dates:
- 1933: First production of the Nicolle stool by the “Etablissements Nicolle”
- 1940’s: From three to four feet
- 1945: The backrest “Tail of a whale” added to create the “Nicolle Chair”
- 1954: 2 different models with adjustable screw: the 45/60 and the 60/80
- 1960: First time in the Manutan magazine
- 1999: End of Manutan magazine
- 2013: Still manufactured