Mid-Century Modern Armchairs, Europe Late 20th Century (sold)
Mid-Century Modern Armchairs, Europe Late 20th Century (sold)
In the midst of the swinging 1960s a remarkable design style emerged, a kind of mature mid-century modernism that captivated the essence of the era's design trends. These lounge chairs, mixing classic materials and shapes, remain exemplary representations of the innovative European furniture design that characterized the period.
European designers sought to break away from the traditional and embrace bold, cosy shapes. These lounge chairs are no exception. Their stylish form is characterized by open, inviting lines, and soft, round edges. This design approach emphasized comfort and relaxation, a response to the desire for a more laid-back lifestyle and a rejection of the stiffness of earlier decades.
The dark wood legs add a touch of sophistication and warmth to the chairs. What makes these legs particularly noteworthy is their functionality: gently splayed, they not only contribute to the chairs' stability but also provide stark visual contrast to the soft, textured upholstery. The combination of solid wood and high-quality upholstery is traditional in mid-century design for a good reason. The two materials complement each other by highlighting their unique material qualities.
The designer of these chairs has evidently had a clear design idiom and guiding principles: function, durability, timeless design, and perhaps above all, comfort. This traditional yet playful pair combines all of these characteristics, which makes it ideal to be the focal point of any space.
SOLD
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
28.35 in W x 35.83 in D x 30.31 in H; Seat height 16.93 in; Seat depth 22.83 in
72 cm W x 91 cm D x 77 cm H; Seat height 43 cm; Seat depth 58 cm
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Price category: 12,500 - 15,000 usd / eur
The “Laila” model by the Finnish designer, Ilmari Lappalainen, originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection.
This pair of “nr. 238” armchairs are from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic mid-century modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating, that it prevented back problems. These armchairs have a cosy modern style, modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushions and back with five tufted buttons. The bodies have the classic Nordic look, which explains the contemporary popularity of these armchairs both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the soft sheepskin upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well.
Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. These chairs were created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930, the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s present Laila armchairs.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in premium sheepskin. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
32.87 in W x 32.87 in D x 32.48 in H; Seat height 17.51 in
83.5 cm W x 83.5 cm D x 82.5 cm H; Seat height 44.5 cm
Literature:
Riitta Miestamo "The Form and Substance of Finnish Furniture", Askon Säätiö, Esan Kirjapaino oy, Lahti 1981.p 65.
About the Designer:
Ilmari Lappalainen (1918 - 2006) was a great Finnish designer whose most active working years were from the end of the 1940s until the end of the 1970s.
Lappalainen first graduated as a teacher of woodworking in 1939, followed by a degree in interior design in 1947. By the end of the school of interior design, he was already working as an intern in Asko and after graduating he got a permanent design position at the company. Lappalainen worked as a teacher and as an interior designer for Asko's department stores, public spaces and hotels.
Lappalainen's most popular products / series are the Laila sofa set, the Seija rocking chair, the lazy castle Rex and the Pulkka armchair. Interestingly, the chairs from the Columna series were sold as health chairs for a long time, because they had such a good ergonomic design, that it prevented back problems. The chairs eventually received medical approval as well. ~H.