Among the many excellent Danish designers, Kurt Østervig was well-known for his flair for the dramatic, which becomes evident upon looking at this lounge chair, model “57A”, perhaps his most recognisable design.

This rare model was presented at the Købestævnet exhibition in Fredericia, Denmark in 1958, which is indicative of the design’s impact even among its contemporaries. Ostervig was very attached to wood as a shipbuilding architect, and was particularly fond of working with oak. This delightfully eccentric chair is quite simplistic in its design, featuring a combination of a round, shell-like body and slender running legs. The rotund body embraces the sitter comfortably with its sloping armrests, which creates a cosy feel and look. Mounted on an equally striking patinated oak base with slim lines, the chair appears uplifting and spacious despite its sizeable body.

The execution of the details, such as the rotex straps praise the Vejen-based master cabinetmaker, Henry Rolschau, who collaborated with Østervig throughout the designer’s career. The light and soft premium upholstery enhances the beautiful colour and patina of the oak legs, while also giving the chair an elegant appearance. Simply styled and elegant had always been Østervig’s speciality, and there is no better example than this unique lounge chair.

SOLD

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in a premium alpaca and wool blend fabric.

Dimensions:

33.07 in W x 30.31 in D x 27.55 in H; Seat height 13.77 in

84 cm W X 77 cm D X 70 cm H; Seat height 35 cm

Exhibition:

Presented at 'Købestævnet', Fredericia 1958.

Literature:

Exhibition catalogue “God Form”. Det 48. Danske Købestævne 1958, Fredericia, p. 34.

About the designer:

Kurt Ejvind Østervig was born in 1912 in Odense, Denmark. He was originally trained and worked as a shipbuilding engineer. However, by the 1930s Østervig shifted to furniture design because of his passion of woodworking.

His career as a furniture designer began at E. Knudsen’s architectural design studio in Odense. In 1947, Østervig opened his first own studio as a freelance furniture designer, with a focus on modern design. In the following decades the designer worked with many of the leading Scandinavian furniture producers of the period.

He was exceptionally versatile, designing furniture for hotels, cinemas, and won numerous design competitions during his career. He won at the Milan Triennale in 1953 and in 1960. In the 1960s, one of Østervig’s designs was selected for an exhibition at the MoMA in New York.

Østervig had a flair for the dramatic, infusing his furnishings with unique elements that stood out. From elegant, organic to coarse and purely functional furniture, his versatility earned him recognition. ~H.