These “Scheletro” chairs by Finnish designer Kari Asikainen could not be mistaken for any other model thanks to their unique, anthropomorphic design.

Designed in 1987, this model is considered to be a post-modern Finnish design classic. The black wooden seat raised on metal legs has a skeletal shape, presumably inspiring the name as well. The design is whimsical, yet ergonomic, with seat- and backrests that support the human body. The futuristic look is enhanced by the visible bolts. The Finnish manufactory, P. O. Korhonen's speciality was wood pressing, with which, for example, the seat parts of chairs could be pressed into a wide variety of shapes. The unique technique is very visible in this pair, showcasing a variety of interesting shapes and lines.

This pair of chairs belongs to the Scheletro Collection that Kari Asikainen designed in 1987 for the furniture factory P. O. Korhonen Oy. The factory was known as a manufacturer of furniture made of bent and moulded wood, primarily designed by Asikainen and Timo Saarnio. The company was jointly owned by Martela and Artek.

SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs slightly differ in width and depth.

Dimensions:

Chair 1: 12.02 in W x 29.92 in D x 40.55 in H; Seat height 16.14 in

31 cm W x 76 cm D x 103 cm H; Seat height 41 cm

Chair 2: 11.81 in W x 25.98 in D x 40.55 in H; Seat height 16.14 in

30 cm W x 66 cm D x 103 cm H; Seat height 41 cm

About the designer:

Kari Aaro Juhani Asikainen (born 24 October 1939 in Parkano, Finland) is a Finnish interior designer and former Professor of Industrial Furniture Design at MUOVA, the Design Centre of Western Finland in Vaasa, where he taught between 1988 and 1994. He also taught at the University of Art and Design Helsinki (known in Finnish as TAIK) between 1973 and 1988.

From 1988 to 1994 he worked as a professor of industrial furniture design at the University of Art and Design and as the director of the Western Finland Design Center in Muasa. Asikainen studied at the Institute for Applied Arts (forerunner to TAIK), completing his studies in 1966. His best-known design is for the Kari series of chairs started in 1969, for which he was awarded the SIO (Finnish Association of Interior Architects) 1982 award for best piece of furniture for a public space. In 1984 he won the prestigious State Applied Arts Commission's Award.

Asikainen has worked in various design offices, and he has had his own design office, Kari Design Oy, since 1983. Asikainen's work has been widely exhibited in and outside of Finland, including at the “Through life from children to elderly” (2002), Ozone Living Design Center, Tokyo, Japan; “La vita per le sedie” (1999), Bari, Italy; “Kuusikymppisen kolmikymppinen” (Thirty of a sixty) retrospective, Design Museum, Helsinki. The designer’s work was exhibited in 1989 at the Design Forum in Helsinki under the name “Kari 20 Years”. ~H.