Kurt Olsen “Model 215” Easy Chairs for Slagelse Møbelværk, Denmark 1950s (sold)
Kurt Olsen “Model 215” Easy Chairs for Slagelse Møbelværk, Denmark 1950s (sold)
This pair of “Model 215” easy chairs were designed by Danish designer and architect Kurt Olsen, and unifies some of the best characteristics of mid-century Danish design and craftsmanship.
The elegantly modern and precise design of these chairs is in big part thanks to Olsen’s background in architecture as well as design. The stained beech frames show the architectural influence with their geometric lines. Kurt Olsen liked to find non-conventional ways to present the area where the legs and armrests met, in this case with an x-shaped arch. This feature immediately creates a focal point and naturally attracts the eyes. The geometry of it also nicely contrasts to the more organic shape of the upholstered seat and back cushions. The seats are angled and slightly raised towards the front, and together with the backrests they assure a high level of comfort. The loose seat cushions and the widening armrests further show the designer’s mindset that revolved around the Danish ideal of “form follows function”. The backrests have gently rounded edges with button tufting which adds to the stylish mid-century modern softness that is still much coveted.
In the mid-fifties Kurt Olsen designed for Slagelse Møbelvaerk where master joiners A. Andersen and Bohm made a lot of his designs. This pair of chairs is also an outstanding result of this fruitful collaboration. The beech wood has a beautiful grain which contrasts nicely with the light upholstery.
SOLD
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Some scratches and marks on the wood. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in 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:
26.57 in W x 29.92 in D x 32.87 in H; Seat height 13.77 in
67.5 cm W x 76 cm D x 83.5 cm H; Seat height 35 cm
Literature:
Bygge & Bo, June 1954, p. 89.
About the designer:
Kurt Olsen is one of the more anonymous designers, even though his designs are well-known and truly stunning. Mid-fifties Kurt Olsen designed primarily for the Danish manufactory, Slagelse Møbelvaerk, where master joiners A. Andersen and Bohm made a lot of his designs. This collaboration resulted in an array of seating furniture culminating in his masterpiece lounge- and armchairs.
Furniture from Slagelse Møbelvaerk is considered to be essential in any good collection of Danish mid-century furniture. The Danish furniture manufacturer produced a substantial part of many Danish designers’ models between the 1940s and 1970s, including Kurt Ostervig, Arne Vodder, Ib Kofod-Larsen, and Kurt Olsen.
Slagelse collaborated with an array of renewing Danish designers to bring new and daring designs. At Slagelse Møbelvaerk, Kurt Olsen and his fellow designers got to work with a team of highly skilled craftsmen, who allowed their designs’ complex shapes and joints to take form. ~H.
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Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur
These “Lilla Eva” models are from the timeless and iconic Paradise Collection, which was created by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist during her time as a designer at Nordiska Kompaniet. The name is inspired by “Paradiset” – the Swedish name for Eden.
This pair holds a soft simplicity and a uniqueness in its appearance - light, clean lines with an air of romance. Without worrying about short-lived trends and what other people thought, Hörlin-Holmquist created the peculiar shape of these chairs that is only increasing in popularity. Thanks to her unique vision, these chairs have an unmistakeable backrest that flows down to form the armrests. While the armrests sit low, therefore opening the seats, the chairs still give the impression of hugging the sitter. The upholstered bodies elevate the visual comfort, with tufted backrests that are festooned with nine, symmetrically arranged buttons.
The upholstery is a premium fabric with a soft touch that complements the aesthetic of Hörlin-Holmquist’s design. Similarly, the stained and tapered wood legs pair perfectly with the sculptural and organic form of the bodies. Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist had a unique and humanistic design vision, and thanks to her uncompromising attitude, these “Little Eva” easy chairs have become iconic.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature and age of the materials, the items may have marks, scratches, and discolouration. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in 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:
27.55 in W x 30.51 in D x 32.67 in H; Seat height 15.15 in
70 cm W x 77.5 cm D x 83 cm H; Seat height 38.5 cm
About the Designer:
Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist was born on May 30, 1925 in Arvika, Sweden. She was a Swedish modernist architect and designer. Hörlin-Holmquist graduated from Stockholm’s Konstfack in 1952, and before that she studied and worked in England.
She often worked with her husband Erik Holmquist, and together they modelled and created the pieces together. A key aspect for the couple was always to test their designs in their own home before completing a project.
"I think both furniture and textiles, wherever they end up, must be kind, gentle and courteous, but without losing their character. They should have human qualities, not be pompous and only stand alone, but be able to adapt to the environment they end up in..."
Holmquist worked and studied in England from 1946-1947 immediately after the war where she also studied art history and became fascinated with the classic English upholstered furniture and style. Something that without a doubt inspired her own creations later in life while she still developed her own expression. She returned to Sweden where she attended Konstfack from 1948 and graduated from the school in 1952. She started working with Nordiska Kompaniet shortly after her graduation and became a lead designer. Her timeless and iconic ‘Paradiset Collection’ was created during her employment with Nordiska Kompaniet in 1956-1957 and holds a soft simplicity and a uniqueness in its appearance - light, clean lines and yet gracious with an air of romance.
Today, her designs are highly treasured collectibles. She is primarily remembered, for her ability to create designs for the modern home in the 1950s without worrying about short-lived trends and what other people thought - to stay true to her own unique and humanistic design vision.