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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur

Finnish designer, Carin Lisa Johansson-Pape, was among the most significant Finnish designers in the second half of the 1900s. She designed furniture for Stockmann and participated in New York’s World Fair of 1939 and the Milan Triennial IX. The 1940s marked a golden era for interior design, amidst a booming economy and a newfound sense of optimism. Designers like Johansson-Pape sought to create furniture that felt both modern and human, moving away from the stark metal and glass of the machine age toward objects that could bring warmth and comfort to domestic life.

The design of this pair is full of modern energy that has, and surely will continue to endure for generations thanks to its classic look, quality materials and evident craftsmanship. Chairs are often considered especially revealing of a designer's skill because of the strict limits placed on their design by the demands of the human body. With these chairs, Johansson-Pape arrived at a clearly-structured solution in which a high degree of coherence is maintained while the chairs appear visually light and open. She followed the mid-century modern philosophy guided by functionality and simplicity. The elegant simplicity and honesty of the frames is enhanced by the upholstery which complements the both the shape and solid wood legs gracefully. The streamlined shape and soft fabric create not only a modern and elegant look, but also allows great comfort. The dark colour of the wood contrasts with the sheepskin upholstery creating visual interest while maintaining the perfect aesthetic balance of the chairs. This complementing nature can also be felt on a textural level, with sheepskin adding a tactile dimension through its soft, fluffy appearance, while the tapered legs add a modern, smooth feel.

Quality materials, organic curvature and innovative shape define the design of this pair. With the power to offer feeling of cosiness and comfort, these timeless chairs sit as well in contemporary spaces as they did in 1940s Finnish homes.‎

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The lounge chairs have recently been reconditioned. The wood has some scratches and stains. Due to the age and nature of the sheepskin, the chairs may have marks and discolouration. The chairs have recently been reupholstered 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:

29.92 in W x 29.53 in D x 29.53 in H; Seat depth 22.05 in

76 cm W x 75 cm D x 75 cm H; Seat depth 56 cm

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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.

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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur

The first half of the 20th century saw the rise of brilliant designers working to create furniture of the highest quality that explored truly modern shapes and forms. Danish cabinetmakers sought to combine comfort and elegance to achieve timeless designs that remain iconic examples of style and skill to this day.

This upholstered armchair proves the success of the cabinetmaker’s pursuit. The craftsmanship is an immediately distinguishable; the chair’s sleek, yet classic look features a high back which is wide at the top but tapers in to draw the eye, highlighting two rows of tufted upholstered buttons. Not only is the body generously padded, but the slightly rounded backrest, as well as the tilted seat increase comfort even further. The chair is upholstered in a soft white sheepskin fabric, providing the piece with a luxurious and textured feel, while contrasting the oak frame. The open and angular armrests complement the rounded plushness of the body, along with the simple tapered legs. The combination of the clean, honest design, high-quality materials, and understated sophistication makes this piece a standout example of Scandinavian furniture.

Danish cabinetmakers were, and are still world-renowned for their unmatched skill. This chair preserves the value and beauty of master craftsmanship, while creating a warm and welcoming look through the use of natural materials.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature and age of the wood, the chair may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration. The chair has recently been reconditioned and has recently been reupholstered in premium sheepskin. 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 31.1 in D x 33.07 in H; Seat height 17.32 in; Seat depth 28.74 in; Arm height 24.01 in

73 cm W x 79 cm D x 94 cm H; Seat height 44 cm; Seat depth 73 cm; Arm height 61 cm

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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur

Strongly influenced by the functional forms of the Bauhaus school in Germany, Danish designers led the way in furniture design during the 1950s. They combined the inspiration brought by new industrial technologies with minimalist design. This style became so influential that it is recognized as a design movement in itself, entitled Danish Design with a subgroup known as Danish Modern.

Danish Modern focused more on the aesthetics of modern design whilst employing the exquisite technique and material familiarity of highly skilled craftsmen such as cabinetmakers. This armchair is a great example of the style with its clean and pure lines coupled with craftsmanship and delicate research into proportions, materials and the requirements of the human body. Adopting the trend of abandoning ornamentation to benefit the form, this chair’s designer and manufacturer both maintained the beauty and warmth inherent to traditional Danish cabinetmaking. The body has gentle, rounded lines that are visible even through the luscious upholstery. The round edges even apply to the wooden feet in the front, which are referred to as “bun feet” which is a shape of a flattened sphere. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the textured, premium upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden feet as well. Sheepskin is the ultimate material for comfort, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It elevates the sheer size and shape of the chair, especially around the edges.

From every single angle, this armchair offers stunning lines and a rich texture. Above all, Danish designers believed that design could certainly be used to improve people's lives. Looking at this armchair, this was evidently and too far-fetched ideal.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in premium sheepskin. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

31.88 in W x 40.15 in D x 33.07 in H; Seat height 16.53 in

81 cm W x 102 cm D x 84 cm H; Seat height 42 cm

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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur

This so-called “kurulstol” or kurul chair, is an iconic model by Danish designer, Henning Kjærnulf. The Kurul chair is an ancient folding chair, originally a folding stool with straight or curved legs. Among the Romans, in addition to being an ordinary utility chair, it was symbolically linked to officials, often within the judiciary.

This armchair combines the traditional kurul structure with a rounded and curved appearance, with an upholstered seat and backrest that gives the historic look a modern edge. The oak frame is carved and sculpted in an unmistakeable way, showing the skills of both the designer and the manufacturer. The body is composed of two slats of wood of equal length in the front and back, fastened together in a saltire formation (resembling the letter X) which are extended up at the top and back to form the armrests and the backs as well. The seat, upholstered in soft sheepskin, is stretched between the front and back slats connecting the two. Kjærnulf removed the folding function of the historic design, giving his model a more stable, organic look. This impression is further enhanced by the solid oak, which is carved with great precision into straight and curving lines. The rich sheepskin melts these carved and straight lines together, contrasting to the oak’s smoothness. While the historic kurul chair was often decorated with intarsia, this model only showcases subtle decor elements, such as the charming sculpted mark in the front with a flower (or the sun) carved into the wood.

While the kurulstol is a Renaissance classic originating from ancient Rome, thanks to Kjaernulf, Scandinavian modernism remains at the core of the design. Kjærnulf’s designs are easy to spot in a crowd thanks to his originality, making his pieces like the razorblade chair and this kurulstol eternally unique. This chair was manufactured by EG Kvalitetsmobel in Denmark during the 1960s.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has recently been reconditioned. Some minor scratches and marks on the wood. The chair’s seat 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:

24.8 in W x 26.77 in D x 31.29 in H; Seat height 17.32 in; Arm height 26.18 in

65 cm W x 55 cm D x 88 cm H ; Seat height 49 cm; Arm height 63.5 cm

About the designer:

Danish mid-century designer and architect, Henning Kjaernulf, is somewhat of a mystery. A lot more is known about his designs than Kjaernulf himself. His wooden designs, crafted to perfection, speak for themselves. Kjaernulf mainly designed for the Danish manufacturers EG Kvalitetsmøbel, Nyrup Møbelfabrik, and Vejle Stole Møbelfabrik. The latter produced the designer’s well-known teak extending dining table design. The historic archives of the Danish municipality, Stenlille, reveal the history of Nyrup Møbelfabrik, mentioning Kjaernulf’s architectural designs for the company’s factory, referring to him as an architect based in Odense, Denmark.

Kjaernulf’s works reveal quality craftsmanship throughout, featuring clean Danish modern era lines with sculpted edges and shapes. The unique shapes, like his razorblade chair backrests, distinguish the designer from other Danish mid-century designers.

In light of how sought after his dining sets and lounge chairs are, it remains a mystery why so little is known about the designer. The curious background of Kjaernulf if anything, adds more charm to his pieces. ~H.