Ilmari Tapiovaara Set of Four "Pirkka" Dining Chairs for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1950s
Ilmari Tapiovaara Set of Four "Pirkka" Dining Chairs for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1950s
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
These “Pirkka” dining chairs are a beautiful example of Finnish modern design. Ilmari Tapiovaara triumphantly won several golden medals during the 1950s at the Milan Triennale for his projects, and he, alongside many others, brought Finnish design to a great peak. This set of dining chairs is a perfect combination of simplicity, functionality, and the organic aesthetic of that golden age. The chairs are made of natural wood with black painted elements, showcasing Tapiovaara's skill in creating visually interesting and durable furniture.
The "Pirkka" chairs are known for their clean lines and minimalistic style, reflecting Tapiovaara's focus on functionalism and human-centred design principles. The seat and backrest, typically made from birch or pine, provide a comfortable and supportive sitting experience. They contrast nicely with the black-painted legs and back support spindles, creating a balanced and harmonious look. The seat is crafted from two solid wooden planks with slight curvature, and the backrest is made of a single, elegantly shaped wood piece. The outward-splayed legs add to the chair's stability and give it a slim, airy appearance, in line with Tapiovaara's belief that good design should be accessible and functional for everyday use.
Ilmari Tapiovaara's influence and dedication to creating high-quality, functional furniture is evident in the "Pirkka" chairs. Inspired by modernism and Scandinavian design, these chairs embody simplicity, functionality, and use of natural materials. They aim to enhance the communal dining experience through skilled craftsmanship and timeless design, resonating with contemporary audiences and showcasing Tapiovaara's lasting impact on furniture design.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.
Dimensions:
14.96 in W x 15.35 in D x 30.32 in H; Seat height 16.54 in
38 cm W x 39 cm D x 77 cm H; Seat height 42 cm
About the designer:
Ilmari Tapiovaara graduated in 1937 as interior architect from the department of furniture design of the Central School of Arts and Crafts. Even before graduating, Tapiovaara went abroad to work for Alvar Aalto in Artek's London office in 1935. Right after completing his education Tapiovaara got a position of assistant at the office of Le Corbusier, in France. These were not the only times he learned from international masters; he also worked with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in Chicago, in 1953. Read more about Ilmari Tapiovaara. ~H.
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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur
This “Grand Pedro” armchair shows the curviness that defined the design of the 1950s. Hiort af Ornäs developed this model for his own furniture company, Puunveisto Oy.
The “Grand Pedro” model has a soft, sculptural shape paired with an ergonomic construction, which is very representative of the designer’s beliefs. Hiort af Ornäs was very firm about two things regarding his chair designs: the sitting comfort and that the model must look good from every single angle. “Pedro” fulfils these principles, for as even from the bottom, it showcases the elongated, tapered back legs that are visually captivating. The body has a welcoming look, with outward curving armrests and a slightly bent backrest. In service of utmost comfort, the sheepskin upholstery is extremely soft. The light colour and texture of the sheepskin complements the lacquered wood legs beautifully, highlighting their sculptural lines.
The craftsmanship and quality provided by Hiort af Ornäs is very visible in the “Pedro” collection that includes a sofa besides this chair. The seating designs of the architect/designer have been gradually more and more recognized world-wide, which resulted in the recent exhibition titled “Forgotten Ornäs”.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature and age of the materials, the item may have marks, scratches, and discolouration. The chair has been reupholstered recently in premium sheepskin. 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:
29.13 in W x 28.34 in D x 32.67 in H; Seat height 17.32 in
74 cm W x 72 cm D x 83 cm H; Seat height 44 cm
About the designer:
Carl-Gustaf Vilhelm (nicknamed “Nalle”) Hiort of Ornäs was born on 27 February 1911 and lived most of his life in Tapiola/Espoo in Finland and in his later life moved to Spain. He is remembered as a Finnish interior architect and designer known to be uncompromising.
Before the Finnish wars (1939-1944), Hiort af Ornäs spent his time in Pori, working at Björneborgs Mekaniska Verkstad. He studied at the Helsinki University of Technology to become an architect but never graduated. He did, however, become known as an interior designer, and eventually even more known as a furniture designer.
In 1945, Hiort af Ornäs founded the furniture company Puunveisto Oy, for which he developed versatile techniques for shaping plywood. He started the furniture manufacturing shop on Lauttasaari in Helsinki (Veneentekijäntie 14) together with his brother. The wood shop, showroom and office were all located in the same building in Helsinki. Rolf Mesterton was the man in charge of producing the furniture, but there were several other carpenters at work in the woodshop. Hiort af Ornäs’s furniture was exhibited and sold by the shop Nupponen who also distributed Olavi Hänninen’s designs, while Puunveisto’s furniture were also sold by Gösta Westerbergs Möbler in Stockholm, Sweden but, in spite of a good selection of chairs, tables and shelves, did not do too well. Since production costs were high, Hiort af Ornäs faced economic troubles. The company was later sold to Nupponen after which Hiort af Ornäs’s interest in the company waned.
Hiort af Ornäs spent his retirement in Spain, and designed several buildings for Fuengirola’s Los Pacos neighbourhood, which has a large Finnish population. His house that he drew and built in Tapiola, Espoo, Finland, ‘Villa Hiort’, still stands and houses some of the designer’s original drawings. It is a beautiful example of 1950s Modernism and the talent of Hiort af Ornäs that brought him recognition that lasts to this day. ~H.