France’s leading steel manufacturer, Ugine-Gueugnon, wanted to up the glam factor on stainless steel back in 1968. At its invitation, the Paris designer Maria Pergay—already known for her exquisite way with silver—considered transmuting some of her signature objects and accessories into Uginox, the company’s brand of the industrial material. But then she had a better idea: How about furniture? Unveiled at Galerie Maison et Jardin amid the heated political riots known as May 68, the line included the Wave desk, Flying Carpet daybed, and Ring chair. The presentation was a hit, reports gallerist Suzanne Demisch, who represents Pergay’s work at Demisch Danant in Manhattan: “Pierre Cardin bought everything.”
“It is the fruit, if you will, of my first artistic success,” Pergay, now 90, told AD in 2018 of the chair,…
