Over the past few weeks, auction rooms and design feeds have converged on a single, compact object: a wooden stool born in 1974, now the quiet cornerstone of a louder conversation about value, scarcity and what counts as good taste in 2025.
How a forgotten stool crashed the trend cycle
The S31 by Pierre Chapo: from quiet craft to cult status
In 1974, French cabinetmaker Pierre Chapo produced the S31, a small, rigorously made stool in solid wood. It ran against the grain of its time: stripped-back lines, three splayed legs joined with precision, an ergonomic round seat, and a hand-rubbed oil finish. The decade liked plastics and bold curves. The S31 kept its voice low, and it slipped into the background.
That background has now become the main stage. As the appetite for authentic materials and fair, honest joinery has grown, the S31’s restraint reads as clarity rather than absence. Its geometry is simple; its build is not. You notice the way the legs converge, the way the seat’s subtle dip holds a person comfortably, the way oil brings the grain to life without gloss.
Original examples of the S31 now draw competitive bids that clear €4,500 in autumn sales across France.
Auction rooms feel the heat
From Paris to Marseille, specialists report brisk pre-bidding and brisker paddles. Online platforms amplify the pressure. A handful of lots can set the tone for a week, and the weeks leading into December are usually lively. This season is no exception: multiple S31 stools have crossed the €4,500 mark per unit, with international dealers hunting for stock and private buyers refusing to blink.
Rarity fuels the rhythm. Fresh, untouched pieces do not appear often. When they do, they pull in decorators seeking a discreet anchor for pared-back schemes and collectors who prize a concise expression of French post-war craft.
Why people care now
Design, scarcity and the pull of the handmade
- Design clarity: three legs, one circle, tight joinery that reads as purposeful rather than plain.
- Material honesty: solid hardwood, oiled rather than lacquered, patina that grows richer with use.
- Flexible function: perch, bedside stand, extra dining seat or small side table when needed.
- Small footprint: it slips under consoles, stacks visually with ease and moves without fuss.
- Signals of care: workbench marks, hand-finishing and proportion that reward close attention.
The S31’s appeal sits at the crossroads of use, beauty and story—small gesture, large effect.
The social media accelerant
Scroll habits shape the market. Simple objects photograph well, especially against limewash walls, wool rugs and daylight. When a stool appears in the foreground of a carefully balanced shot, it reads as attainable and rare at once. That paradox drives clicks and bids. Each post narrows supply a fraction more, and scarcity becomes part of the style language people buy into.
What this tells us about design in 2025
Beyond the showroom set-piece
Buyers want fewer, better things, and they want each object to earn its place. Instead of a statement sofa that dictates the room, they choose a compact, well-made piece that holds its own near a window or under a painting. It answers a practical need while keeping the room’s temperature calm. The S31 matches that mood and helps define it.
Small, well-built objects with integrity are elbowing past showpieces and anchoring rooms with ease.
The momentum looks durable
The stool’s size suits flats and larger rooms alike, which matters as households reconfigure spaces more often. It stacks social value too: made-to-last timber, repairable construction, and a tactile finish that aligns with wool, jute, linen and uncoated ceramics on autumn shopping lists. As temperatures drop, people reach for warm textures and close-grain wood; the S31 fits naturally into that palette.
Thinking of buying? Here’s what to know
Price signals and expectations
Recent activity places well-kept vintage examples above the €4,000 line, with standout pieces clearing €4,500. Reissued workshop versions and pieces with later finishes sit lower, but demand has lifted those too. Condition, documented provenance and wood species all steer outcomes.
| Type | What buyers report paying in autumn 2025 |
|---|---|
| Original 1970s S31, excellent condition | €4,000–€4,700+ |
| Original 1970s S31, honest wear | high €3,000s to low €4,000s |
| Later workshop reissue | varies widely; lower than top vintage results |
Authenticity and condition checks
- Look for coherent construction: three legs meeting cleanly beneath the seat with crisp, tight joints.
- Assess finish: oiled timber should feel dry-warm, not waxy or plasticky; uneven gloss can flag later coatings.
- Read the surface: consistent, gentle wear on seat and edges suggests age; sharp edges with deep scratches feel newer.
- Ask for paperwork: invoices, gallery labels, or correspondence help anchor provenance.
- Buy the piece, not the story: if a claim feels vague, price accordingly.
Caring for an oiled solid-wood stool
- Dust with a soft cloth; lift grit before it scratches.
- Use a mild, pH-neutral cleaner sparingly and dry immediately.
- Refresh with a thin coat of linseed-based oil once or twice a year; avoid heavy build-up.
- Keep clear of radiators and direct sun to reduce movement and checking.
- Add felt pads if the stool sits on stone or timber floors.
How to place it so it earns its keep
Practical setups that make the most of a small icon
- Hallway perch with a tray: keys on top, boots below.
- Bedroom stand: stack books and a carafe, no plug sockets needed.
- Living room sidekick: flank a low sofa, keep it mobile for guests.
- Dining mix: pair two stools with four chairs to loosen a formal table.
- Reading corner: stool plus low light and a wool throw for quiet balance.
Worried about missing out? Options and risks
Alternatives that keep the spirit without the premium
If bidding leapfrogs your ceiling, chase qualities rather than a name. Seek solid oak or ash stools from small workshops with honest joinery and a dry oil finish. The brief is simple: stable three- or four-leg geometry, leg-to-seat junctions you trust, proportions that suit your space, and a finish you are happy to live with. You will save money and still gain tactile warmth and daily utility.
Market headwinds to consider
- Speculation: fast-rising prices can attract short-term flipping; plan to hold your piece and enjoy it.
- Fees: factor buyer’s premium, VAT and shipping into your bid; hammer price rarely tells the whole story.
- Condition drift: heavy cleaning or over-oiling can mute the surface; preserve original character where possible.
- Returns: auction purchases usually offer limited recourse; inspect in person or request thorough images.
Set your maximum bid before the sale starts, count all fees, and make peace with walking away.
Extra context that helps you judge the value
Why three legs work so well
On uneven floors, three points define a plane, so a tripod stool sits rock-solid where a four-legged chair can wobble. That inherent stability, combined with a compact round seat, explains the S31’s easy manners on old floorboards and stone flags.
A simple budgeting exercise
If your ceiling is €3,800, reserve 20–25% for buyer’s premium and VAT on premium. That leaves roughly €3,000 for the hammer price. In a fast sale, that difference protects you from overshooting. If the lot runs past your net, step back and target the next listing or a private offering where you can negotiate calmly.
