Set of 6 Belgian 'Model No. 397' Dining Chairs by Ivo Penic for De Coene, 1960s

A set of six Belgian Model No. 397 dining chairs by Ivo Penic for De Coene, designed in the 1960s.

Crafted in richly figured rosewood, each chair is defined by its angular silhouette and disciplined proportions. The frame is constructed with an architectural clarity, the intersecting legs and finely tapered supports creating a composition that feels as considered from the side as it does from the front.

Softly upholstered seats and backs temper the geometry, introducing warmth without diminishing the strength of the design. There is a distinctly masculine quality to the chairs—their clean lines, dark timber, and detailing evoke the interiors of mid-century Manhattan apartments.

Around a dining table, they create a rhythm of repeating forms, each chair contributing to a cohesive architectural whole. Beyond the dining room, they stand comfortably as occasional seating, their profiles rewarding placement where they can be viewed from every angle.

Ivo Penić (born 1925) was a Croatian architect, furniture designer, and industrial designer whose work helped define the modern design movement in the former Yugoslavia during the 1950s and 1960s. A member of the Studio for Industrial Design (SIO), he championed the integration of art, architecture, and industrial production, creating functional furniture with clean lines, refined proportions, and a distinctly modern aesthetic.

Penić is best known for his furniture designs for the renowned Belgian manufacturer De Coene Kortrijk, including elegant rosewood dining tables and leather chairs that remain highly sought after by collectors today. In addition to furniture, he worked on architectural projects, theater set designs, and exhibition pavilions, with his work appearing at international events such as the 1957 Milan Triennale. His designs reflected a belief that well-crafted, industrially produced objects could elevate everyday living through simplicity, functionality, and enduring quality.