Stool on display as part of the "Jazz Age" exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States.

Pierre Legrain (1889-1929) was born in Levallois-Perret, France. He convinced his wealthy parents to let him attend art classes at l’Ecole Germain Pilon. Although a gifted athlete, he suffered a torn aorta and was forced to suspend his athletic endeavors. When his father died, Legrain was forced to work for a living. He met French designer Paul Iribe (1883-1935), who was immediately impressed with Legain's artistic talent and education. Working as his assistant, Legrain acquired a wide range of skills in furniture, home furnishing, jewelry, and other decorative arts. During World War I, Legrain persuded the French Army to let him to enlist despite his damaged heart. During the war, he drew for a wide range of military publications. In 1919, he met French fashion designer and art collector Jacques Doucet (1853–1929), who commissioned him to design for furniture and a wide range of other objects. Legrain also hand-bound books for Doucent, and had an exhibition of his bindings at the 1920 Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. Legrain exhibited his furniture designs at a designer's salon in 1924, which proved a sensation. From 1925 until his untimely death from a heart attack in 1929, he focused on bookbinding and interior decoration.

This stool, almost identical to one made for Doucet, was produced about 1923. It is made of wood, lacquer, and sharkskin. Art Deco artisans were fascinated by African art, much of which was finally making its way to Europe as art (rather than the spoils of colonialism). The design of this stool is remarkably similar to a number of indigenous African pieces.

1. CMAJazzAge