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

Carl-Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs (1911–1996) was a Finnish interior architect and designer. In 1945 Hiort af Ornäs founded the furniture company Puunveisto Oy, for which he designed this ‘Caravelle’ lounge chair.

The craftsmanship skills of Hiort af Ornäs are evident in his creation of this model. The Finnish designer was very firm about two things regarding his seating designs: the sitting comfort, and that the model must look good from every single angle. The chair’s body has a soft, sculptural shape paired with an ergonomic and firm construction. The wooden frame features geometric lines, with armrests that widen to allow the arms to rest comfortably, while the legs are tapered and splayed in the back. These functional elements show the architectural mindset and background of Hiort af Ornäs, putting equal emphasis on the aesthetic and the functional dimension. The rounded edges of the body contribute to the soft and cosy impression of the design, which is complemented by the tufted buttons arranged in a square shape. The combination of solid wood and high-quality upholstery is traditional in mid-century design for good reason: the two materials highlight each other's unique qualities. This ‘Caravelle’ chair falls into the category of the so-called biomorphic mid-century, which describes the furniture that relished in organic, curved, and smooth surfaces. As such, the design is moulded into the shapes of natural occurrences, which was a lively contrast to the more austere machine aesthetic of the Bauhaus.

Form follows function is a principle of design associated with early and mid-20th century architecture and furniture design, stating that the shape of a building or object should primarily relate to its intended function or purpose. This was evidently an important principle for the designer, seen in the design of both the structure and aesthetic elements.‎

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in 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:

33.66 in W x 33.27 in D x 33.66 in H; Seat height 16.93 in; Seat depth 19.69 in; Arm height 22.05 in

85.5 cm W x 84.5 cm D x 85.5 cm H; Seat height 43 cm; Seat depth 50 cm; Arm height 56 cm