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Price category: 12,500 - 15,000 usd / eur

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The “Laila” model by the Finnish designer Ilmari Lappalainen originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection.

This pair of “nr. 238” armchairs are from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic mid-century modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating that it prevented back problems. These armchairs have a cosy modern style, modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushion and back with tufted buttons. The bodies have the classic Nordic look, which explains the contemporary popularity of these armchairs both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the textured, premium upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs 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 its back.

Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. These chairs were created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930 the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. After the war, the damage it caused and the new homes of Karelian migrants concentrated production on essential furniture, which the Finnish Ministry of Public Affairs ordered to sell at an affordable price. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s Laila series.

Condition:

In good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in a premium sheepskin.

Dimensions:

32.67 in W x 34.64 in D x 34.44 in H; Seat height 17.71 in

83 cm W x 88 cm D x 87.5 cm H; Seat height 45 cm

Literature:

Riitta Miestamo "The Form and Substance of Finnish Furniture", Askon Säätiö, Esan Kirjapaino oy, Lahti 1981.p 65.

About the Designer:

Ilmari Lappalainen (1918 - 2006) was a great Finnish designer whose most active working years were from the end of the 1940s until the end of the 1970s.

Lappalainen first graduated as a teacher of woodworking in 1939, followed by a degree in interior design in 1947. By the end of the school of interior design, he was already working as an intern in Asko and after graduating he got a permanent design position at the company. Lappalainen worked as a teacher and as an interior designer for Asko's department stores, public spaces and hotels.

Lappalainen's most popular products / series are the Laila sofa set, the Seija rocking chair, the lazy castle Rex and the Pulkka armchair. Interestingly, the chairs from the Columna series were sold as health chairs for a long time, because they had such a good ergonomic design, that it prevented back problems. The chairs eventually received medical approval as well. ~H.