Ole Wanscher “Model 1673” High Back Chairs for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1940s (sold)
Ole Wanscher “Model 1673” High Back Chairs for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1940s (sold)
The simple and refined aesthetic of this pair of chairs stems from Ole Wanscher’s reinvention of classic forms, for which he became a key-player of the Danish mid-century movement.
In this model, Wanscher combined fully and equally his design talents with that of a master craftsman, namely Fritz Hansen. In particular, his sensitivity to the delicacy of wood enabled him to bring organic life and a rich sense of the past to the indelibly modern spareness of Mid-Century Modernism. The handcrafted solid wood frames are fully reupholstered in a premium wool blend fabric. The stained beech legs follow the curves of the chairs, which is especially visible in the gently curved back legs. The high backs with stylish button tufting are flared, giving the chairs an elegant, slender look.
This Danish modern pair– despite its name – in many ways transcends the word ‘modern’. These chairs have a style that can be incorporated successfully into contemporary and traditional interiors, urban and country alike, lending themselves to a timeless and universal appeal.
SOLD
Condition:
In good vintage condition. The chair has been recently reupholstered 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:
27.55 in W x 31.49 in D x 44.48 in H; Seat height 19.29 in
70 cm W x 80 cm D x 113 cm H; Seat height 49 cm
About the designer:
Ole Wanscher (1903-1985) was an architect-designer and professor, and is known today as one of the leading figures in the Scandinavian Design movement.
Wanscher studied at the Danish School of Art and Design, and was highly influenced by his professor, Kaare Klint. After graduation, Wanscher worked with Klint between 1924 and 1927, then set up his first own office, specializing in furniture design. By the end of the 1940s, Wanscher made a name for himself for his quality designs. As the Danish newspaper Politiken put it: “'Owning a Wanscher-chair is an adventure every day, and will be so even several hundred years from now, for this is how long it lasts”.
In the 1950s, Wanscher left his private firm to begin an association with P. Jeppesens Mobelfabrik A/S that would last for the rest of his professional life. Ole Wanscher's work has remained sought after by furniture collectors thanks to his designs that are most-often described as "delicate", "elegant", and "orderly". Today, Wanscher’s pieces are considered to be modern classics and are still adored for their detail and the designer’s deep respect for materials. ~H.
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Price category: 12,500 - 15,000 usd / eur
The “Oskar” armchair was designed in 1939; a busy year for Carl Malmsten as he also participated in the New York World Fair. It was at this fair where the expression “Swedish Modern” was coined, but Malmsten remained a traditionalist, mainly concerned with comfort in the home.
As with so many of Malmsten’s pieces of furniture, Oskar was modelled on an earlier design. This pair belongs to Carl Malmsten's earlier works, and the structures are made of solid pine from Swedish forests. As it can be expected from the “Master of Wood”, the frames are expertly designed, with ergonomic and aesthetic principles at their core. While these armchairs may seem less “Malmstenesque”, they already have the gentle curves that defined his later designs. This is especially visible in the flowing armrests that descend from the top, curling outwards to create a welcoming look. The gently bent backrests are tufted with dark yellow stitches that contrast with the light bouclé upholstery both in colour and texture to create a stylish, visually interesting look. The structures are supported by the tapered, solid pine legs that add an organic touch to the design. This chair model is reminiscent of the furnishings of the sitting room of Ulriksdal Palace, which was given to the crown prince and princess, Gustav and Louise, by the Swedish people in 1923. Malmsten was commissioned to create the decor for the room, and the Oscar armchair may have been a template for this period and perhaps that is why Carl Malmsten gave the chair a royal-sounding name.
The company known today as O.H. Sjögren was established as early as the 1870s. Carl Malmsten, who had hitherto only produced the most exclusive and unique furniture for a limited and affluent clientele, sought manufacturers who were able to produce his furniture in larger volumes without compromising the high demands he placed on craftsmanship and quality. He chose O.H. Sjögren, and together they developed and marketed the many items of upholstered furniture that have become classics today.
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 reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
28.74 in W x 29.92 in D x 37.4 in H; Seat height 16.33 in
73 cm W x 76 cm D x 95 cm H; Seat height 41.5 cm
About the Designer:
Carl Malmsten (December 7, 1888 – August 13, 1972) was a Swedish furniture designer, architect, and educator. Malmsten was born in Stockholm, Sweden. Malmsten's career took off when he won a competition in 1916 to design furniture for the Stockholm City Hall and shortly after in 1917, he exhibited alongside well-known Swedish architects such as Gunnar Asplund and Uno Åhrén.
In the 1920s he was invited to furnish a room for the crown prince, Gustaf VI Adolf, and his wife Louise in Ulriksdal Palace. He was honoured with an inaugural Prince Eugen Medal for design in 1945. Already as a young designer in the early 20th century, Carl Malmsten advocated an artisanal furniture design based on local ingredients and traditions, available to a wide audience at a reasonable price.
Nature was Carl Malmsten's foremost teacher and source of inspiration. He conveyed his love of craftsmanship as a teacher in his own schools, at Olofskolan in Stockholm, Capellagården on Öland and the Carl Malmsten school on Lidingö, today a branch of Linköping University and one of the country's leading design colleges. As a debater, Malmsten stormed against functionalism, but in retrospect it can be seen that his ideas often coincided with the rational and frugal style ideals of function.
Malmsten has had a lasting influence on Swedish furniture design through the two schools he founded—the Carl Malmsten Furniture Studies (Carl Malmstensskolan), which has been a part of Linköping University since 2000, is situated on the island of Lidingö on the outskirts of Stockholm. Carl Malmsten spoke about the importance of tradition, craftsmanship and the nation. His furniture was in many ways a product of the thoughts and ideals of the time, they have a timeless quality that makes them just as relevant and loved today.