Rare X-chair in rattan and mahogany designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark, 1950s - 1960s.

This chair by designer duo Peter  Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, is called the X-chair for visible reasons. Made from mahogany bentwood, the frame is meticulously crafted in flowing lines with a compressed wooden inlay in the center. The seating is made of rattan that has a nice patina. This iconic and elegant chair showcases outstanding production quality and attention to detail.

About the designer:



However, as in the life of so many Brazilian designers, it was the looming thundercloud of the second world war that made him move just after his studies where finished. First to Czechoslovakia (where his parents lived) and later, in 1938, to Argentina. Here Eisler began to exercise his profession as an architect and interior designer and opened up his interior design firm, later named Interieur Forma. In the early 1950’s he decided to move to Brazil.

Born in Brescia in 1927, Carlo Hauner studied technical drawing and drawing at the Brera Academy in Milan, Italy. In 1948 he successfully participated in the Venice Biennale after which he moved to Brazil, where he dedicated himself to the design of textile, ceramics, furniture and architecture. In only a very short time he founded a furniture production company and purchased a factory from Lino Bo Bardi and her husband Pietro Bardi, renaming it to Móveis Artesanal.

In 1953 Hauner met Martin Eisler and the rest is history. The two connected and opened Galeria Artesanal on a busy street in São Paulo. Móvies Artesanal later changed into Forma and together with Oca, it became one of the biggest names in Brazilian furniture production.

Hauner and Eisler’s designs are characterized by the use of Brazilian woods, thin tubular frames and range from furniture, to ceramics and textiles. Forma prospered during the 60’s and 70’s. Although Hauner and Eisler designed and produced many pieces, the depth and quality of their work that is reaching the waterfront is still only the tip of the iceberg. We are sure many more interesting pieces will find the spotlight during the coming years. ~H.

Condition:

In beautiful vintage condition. The wood has some small chips and marks.

Dimensions:

22.44 in W x 26.38 in D x 28.94 in H; Seat Height 13.39 in

57 cm W x 67 cm D x 73.5 cm H; Seat Height 34 cm

Literature:

Illums Bolighus: Center of Modern Design, distributor's catalog, 1961.

Den store danske møbelguide, Per H. Hansen & Klaus Petersen, Denmark 2013, p. 119.