Pair of "Polar" Lounge Chairs by Esko Pajamies, Finland 1960s








































Pair of "Polar" Lounge Chairs by Esko Pajamies, Finland 1960s
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Price category: 12,500 - 15,000 usd / eur
This pair of “Polar” lounge chairs was designed by the eminent Finnish designer, Esko Pajamies, and produced by Lahden Lepokalusto Oy Finland during the 1960s.
These leather chairs feature a half moon shaped backrest and comfortable, aesthetically pleasing cushions. The sitting cushions are tufted, and along with the upholstered armrests, have a beautiful patina. The strong and sturdy wooden frame provides a beautiful contrast to the black leather, and with the chrome plated steel connections supporting the curved armrests, it gives these chairs a modern look.
The legs have similar chrome plated steel details, which provide the chairs with an almost floating appearance. The open wooden frame further contributes to the spacious feel of the design. The chairs have their original black leather upholstery.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Piping has some minor repairs. Leather has some minor marks. Note: Although from the same source, the items differ a little bit in height. These chairs come with their original leather or have been reupholstered by a previous owner. 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:
29.53 in W x 40.56 in D x 25.99 in H; seat height 16.34 in
75 cm W x 103 cm D x 66 cm H; seat height 41.5 cm
Literature:
Arkkitehti-lehti magazine, 1965.
About the designer:
Esko Lauri Alvari Pajamies (born August 20, 1931 Helsinki - September 26, 1990, Eloúnta, Greece) was a Finnish designer, especially known for his upholstered livingroom and public furniture.
Pajamies graduated as an interior architect in 1954, and established his own design studio in 1961. In the 1960s, Pajamies designed the “Bonanza” couch, which combined leather and solid oak, starting the line of his characteristic mixture of materials. The “Koivutaru” armchair made of bent birch at the end of the 1970s. Pajamies’ workshop also designed furniture for the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport's passenger terminal.
The Finnish designer and architect was awarded the State Art Prize in 1979. Besides being active as a designer, Pajamies was an avid Jazz Trumpeter. ~H.
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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur
Illum Wikkelsø was a recognisable figure of Danish seating design in the post-war decades, known for creating furniture that combined sculptural silhouettes with a strong emphasis on comfort. Working throughout the 1950s and 1960s with manufacturers such as Søren Willadsen, Wikkelsø developed lounge chairs and sofas that softened the stricter geometry of earlier modernism through curved lines. His designs often relied on exposed wood, generous upholstery, and carefully balanced proportions, allowing seating to feel visually substantial without becoming heavy.
Model “110” reflects this approach through its dramatic winged silhouette and restrained material palette. The chair is upholstered in black leather that wraps continuously around the high back, seat, and armrests, emphasizing the sculptural quality of the form. The backrest rises upward into pronounced side panels that connect the wings to the armrests. The sides curve gently forward, creating a protective and enveloping shape around the sitter. These extended sides visually frame the head and shoulders. The leather surface contributes to the overall character of the piece: its subtle texture catches light differently across the curved sections, giving depth to the large upholstered planes. In contrast to the dark upholstery, the chair rests on a solid wooden base with angled legs that introduce warmth and visual lightness. The exposed wood creates a clear separation between the upholstered body and the floor.
The balance between softness and structure is central to the success of this design. The chair carries the commanding presence associated with high-back lounge seating, yet the flowing transitions between its elements prevent it from feeling rigid. Wikkelsø’s ability to merge comfort with sculptural clarity is especially evident here, making the model equally compelling as functional seating and as a statement piece within an interior.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has recently been reconditioned. The chair comes with its original leather that has developed a natural patina over time. Due to the nature and age of the materials, the item may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
29.93 in W x 35.04 in D x 35.44 in H; Seat height 14.57 in; Seat depth 21.26 in; Arm height 21.66 in
76 cm W x 89 cm D x 90 cm H; Seat height 37 cm; Seat depth 54 cm; Arm height 55 cm
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
Born in Utrecht in 1917, Cees Braakman spent most of his career shaping the identity of the renowned furniture manufacturer, Pastoe. He joined the company at a young age and later became its central designer and manager. Following a formative trip to the United States in 1947, where he encountered the work of Charles and Ray Eames and the innovative production methods of Herman Miller, he began developing furniture that combined modern construction techniques with a distinctly Dutch sense of restraint.
Braakman’s designs from the 1950s and 1960s are characterised by clean lines, functional clarity, and carefully balanced proportions, qualities clearly visible in this chair. The design showcases a beautiful interplay between the slender metal construction and natural materials. The black lacquered frame forms a precise architectural structure, outlining the chair with crisp lines. Rather than appearing overly industrial, however, the frame is softened by the introduction of rich cognac-coloured leather upholstery and wooden armrests. The seat and backrest are generously proportioned, creating a comfortable visual weight that contrasts beautifully with the lightness of the supporting structure. The warm tone of the leather introduces depth and character, while its smooth surface accentuates the chair’s geometry. Particularly striking is the way the wooden armrests are integrated within the metal frame, lending the design an added sense of refinement.
The balance between comfort and structural clarity lies at the heart of Braakman’s work, and this armchair demonstrates that philosophy exceptionally well. Its restrained palette and clean silhouette move it past a simple a seating piece, reflecting the Dutch modernist belief that thoughtful design can elevate everyday furniture into something practical, and visually compelling.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The armchair has recently been reconditioned. Due to the age and nature of the metal, the item may have marks, scratches, and discolouration. The chair has recently been reupholstered in a premium leather. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
24.21 in W x 22.44 in D x 30.71 in H; Seat height 19.29 in; Seat depth 17.72 in; Arm height 25.20 in
61.5 cm W x 57 cm D x 78 cm H; Seat height 49 cm; Seat depth 45 cm; Arm height 64 cm
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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur
Mid century lounge chairs often explore the balance between structure and comfort, especially through the combination of solid wood and upholstered seating. Designers in this period - like Folke Ohlsson - moved away from fully rigid, heavy forms and allowed open construction to contribute to the overall visual impression.
This armchair follows that approach through its use of the wooden frame and upholstered body. The structure is defined by a sculptural wooden base that wraps around the lower part of the chair, offering a sturdy base and visual outline to the piece. The legs are thin and slightly angled, giving the chair a stable stance without overpowering the silhouette. Above, the seat and backrest are upholstered in green leather, with a cushion and headrest that create a layered and comfortable look. The leather’s colour complements the warm tone of the wood. At the same time, the material softens the geometry of the frame through its smooth and sleek look. What makes this piece stand out is that it balances comfort and structure, in line with timeless mid-century modernism. This model can be easily styled in a reading nook or as an accent chair in a living room, offering both comfort and a strong visual presence.
Folke Ohlsson was one of the first Swedish designers who managed to bring “Swedish Modern” design to the United States’ market successfully. According to the story, when Ohlsson arrived in the United States, he took his suitcase and cardboard to hotels all over the country inviting salesmen, department stores, and decorators to view his miniature designs and watch as he disassembled and reassembled his chair design. He quickly became notorious for his patented “knock-down” construction that reduced shipping and storage costs and helped to make the Swedish company Dux a household name in the USA.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The item has recently been reconditioned. Due to the nature and age of the materials, the item may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration. The item has recently been reupholstered in premium leather. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
34.64 in W x 32.28 in D x 36.22 in H; Seat height 17.12 in; Seat depth 18.89 in; Arm height 19.88 in
88 cm W x 82 cm D x 92 cm H; Seat height 43.5 cm; Seat depth 48 cm; Arm height 50.5 cm
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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur
Saying mid-century modernism had a revival would be a serious understatement. In reality, the designs have never gone out of style completely, especially in Europe. Mid-20th century pieces are classics thanks to their expert craftsmanship, their visual impact, and the material quality. This armchair pair showcases this timelessness with their modern form.
Without any heavy ornamentation, the focus falls on the natural materials used to craft this pair of chairs. The authenticity is celebrated rather than disguised or embellished. This choice of wood and leather not only aligns with the organic principles of mid-century modernism, but it also contributes to the chairs' overall longevity in both form and function. It is evident that the maker of these chairs possessed great talent in cabinetmaking, and used high-quality materials that became even more appealing with the decades gone by. This is visible in the beautiful patina of the braided leather backrests that resemble a checkerboard. This element adds a touch of individuality and artistry, setting the chairs apart from the mass-produced furniture of the time. Moreover, the sitting comfort is increased by the upholstered cushions. The textured upholstery of the seat cushion beautifully complements the frame. The chair embodies comfort and cosiness through the mix of proportions and expertly selected materials.
Functionally and visually, this armchair pair demonstrates how mid-20th century European design could bridge tradition and modernity without sacrificing comfort or structural clarity. It is well suited to domestic living rooms, or quiet seating nooks while its understated modernism makes it versatile alongside both mid-century and contemporary interiors.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have recently been reconditioned. Due to the nature and age of the materials, some marks and scratches are present. The items have recently been reupholstered in-house. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
20.7 in W × 22.2 in D × 29.1 in H; Seat height: 13.0 in; Seat depth: 16.5 in; Arm height: 21.9 in
52.5 cm W x 56.5 cm D x 74 cm H; Seat height 33 cm; Seat depth 42 cm; Arm height 55.5 cm
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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur
Marco Zanuso, born in 1916, was one of a group of Italian designers from Milan shaping the international idea of "good design" in the postwar years. After graduating from the Politecnico di Milano in 1939 with a degree in architecture, and serving in the Second World War, he opened his own office in 1945 and was a pioneer of the use of modern materials.
Along with other pieces - such as the ‘Lady’ and the ‘Martingala’ chairs designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex - the ‘Regent’ lounge chair, designed in 1960, embodies the modern characteristics of its era. This model, with its outward pointing armrests and the dynamic lines of the seating, combines modern forms and ideals to obtain a timeless, impressive piece of furniture. The set is upholstered in a lambswool fabric in a pleasant cream colour. The chair is decorated with four tufted buttons, which add an elegant element of visual interest while alluding to the functionality and focus on comfort of the design. The set is completed by a matching footstool, complementing the chair while serving an obvious functional purpose, further enhancing the lounging experience. Both pieces feature wheels for easy movement, allowing them to be flexible additions to creative interiors.
Through its modern look and functional features, this set of Marco Zanuso ‘Regent’ lounge chair is in service of both the experience of the user, as well as the pursuit of a beautifully decorated space. These pieces are a symbol of timeless elegance, artisanal skill, and the enduring allure of modern design.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature and age of the materials, the items may have marks, scratches, and discolouration. The chair and footstool have been reupholstered recently in lambswool 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:
Chair
32.68 in W x 37 in D x 33.27 in H; Seat height 16.93 in; Seat depth 19.69 in; Arm height 19.69 in
83 cm W x 94 cm D x 84.5 cm H; Seat height 43 cm; Seat depth 50 cm; Arm height 50 cm
Footstool
22.44 in W x 23.03 in D x 16.14 in H
57 cm W x 58.5 cm D x 41 cm H
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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur
This “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 “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 is the removable seat cushion that ensures sitting comfort, and the upholstery that is extremely soft. The colour and texture of the fabric 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 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:
27.55 in W x 26.96 in D x 29.72 in H; Seat height 16.92 in
70 cm W x 68.5 cm D x 75.5 cm H; Seat height 43 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
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.