“Laila” Armchairs in Sheepskin by Ilmari Lappalainen for Asko, Finland 1950s

“Laila” Armchairs in Sheepskin by Ilmari Lappalainen for Asko, Finland 1950s

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

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 model is without a doubt, the designer’s most celebrated seating model thanks to its classic, yet distinctive shape and upholstered body.

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. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s Laila series.

Condition:

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

32.68 in W x 32.68 in D x 32.28 in H; Seat Height 17.72 in

83 cm W x 83 cm D x 82 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.

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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

Pair of “Laila” Armchairs in Sheepskin Upholstery by Ilmari Lappalainen (Attr.) for Asko, Finland 1950s

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

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 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 cushions and back with five 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 soft sheepskin upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well.

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. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s present Laila armchairs.

Condition:

In good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature and age of the material, the chairs may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration. The chairs have 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:

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

Pair of Svante Skogh Easy Chairs for Förenade Möbelfabrikerna, Sweden 1950s

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

This pair of spectacular armchairs by Swedish designer, Svante Skogh, is a rather rare example of the interior and furniture designer’s repertoire. With a creative and masterfully crafted wooden structure, these chairs deserve the limelight in Swedish design history.

These chairs combine function and aesthetic in a striking manner, keeping the form in service of the user while keeping it elegant and modern. The union of the shell-shaped body and the back legs’ structure define this model. While made of entirely different materials, their lines manage to resemble and complement each other, resulting in a harmonious appearance. The back legs not only support the bodies, but also rise to form the support for the armrests. The clear lined frame of this pair contrasts beautifully with the angled seating and gives the pair an open and very photographic appearance. The armrests’ black paint is a small, but ingenious detail, that highlights their form and create a focal point. Due to the well-chosen proportions, angled back, and the high-quality of the design, the chairs are very comfortable.

In Sweden, “svensk design” (Swedish design) in particular operates as a set of relations linking the everyday world - composed of objects, spaces, people - to the cultural ideologies that motivate the persistence of a social democratically infused “way of life.” Thanks to this sentiment, cabinetmakers, like Förenade Möbelfabrikerna, put an emphasis on soft elegance and functionality, making these chairs timeless in every sense of the word.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The black paint has partially worn off with time. The chairs have recently been reupholstered 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:

26.77 in W x 32.28 in D x 31.88 in H; Seat height 15.35 in

68 cm W x 82 cm D x 81 cm H; Seat height 39 cm

Danish Cabinetmaker Armchair in Warm Sheepskin, Denmark ca 1950s

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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

Danish Cabinetmaker Lounge Chair with Sheepskin Upholstery, Denmark 1940s

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Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur

This beautiful Danish lounge chair is an early example of Scandinavian mid-century modern design as well as outstanding craftsmanship with a quality that honours the materials and users. The period from roughly the 1940s through the 1960s was a high point for Danish furniture makers, and this chair shows why.

Designed in the early phase of what we know today as mid-century modern, this lounge chair is a Danish delicacy with a unique look. With its classic shape paired with modern design elements, it combines the best design characteristics of the 1940s. The large, enveloping backrest dictates the shape of this chair, as it forms most of the structure, including the armrests. The curvature creates an inviting and open look, enhanced by the soft sheepskin upholstery. The inside of the upholstered back is sectioned which creates a shell-like look. The thick, bun feet-like front legs are a pleasant touch. The warm brown colour of the stained wood nicely contrasts to the off-white sheepskin, not to mention the thick wooden feet make a long-lasting, rock solid foundation for any chair. The chair’s back legs differ, they are straight, which is an eccentric detail that adds visual interest. Master cabinetmakers were highly aware of body proportions, prioritising comfort just as much as the visual qualities, therefore this lounge chair provides support for the back and great sitting comfort.

Perfectly suited for a vintage or contemporary interior, this chair represents a marriage of artistry and comfort. Its upholstery captures attention, adding warmth and vibrancy to any space, while the wooden feet are grounding, together making this piece into an ideal statement piece.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The wood has some scratches and marks. Due to the nature and age of the materials, the chair may have additional discolouration. The chair has recently been reupholstered 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:

34.25 in W x 33.46 in D x 27.55 in H; Seat height 14.56 in

87 cm W x 85 cm D x 70 cm H; Seat height 37 cm