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

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In 1956, the Danish furniture architect Ib Kofod-Larsen received an assignment from the Swedish furniture maker OPE Möbler (Olof Persons Fåtöljindustri) to design a series of “Danish” furniture in order to breathe life into the dying Swedish furniture industry. One of the most prominent pieces of this assignment was the “Sälen”, or the “Seal”.

Ib Kofod-Larsen won the annual award from the Danish Cabinetmakers’ Guild in 1948. A few years later, Swedish furniture maker OPE Möbler commissioned Kofod-Larsen to design a series of furniture. One of those was the elegant Seal Collection featuring carefully shaped wood frames and luxurious upholstery. The solid wood frame is the main design element of this model, with the architectural precision visible in every line. The angles the arms and legs form is the most apparent element of the structure with a beautiful arch. The armrests widen to allow the arms to rest comfortably on them, while the legs are tapered and splayed in the back. These functional elements show the mindset of Scandinavian mid-century furniture makers, putting equal emphasis on the aesthetic and on the functional dimension. Here, the spectacular frame is paired with a shell seat and back with round edges and enveloping “ears”. This later addition complements the precise wooden structure greatly with the gentle shape. Furthermore, the textured fabric contrasts beautifully with the angled wood and gives the chair a photogenic appearance. Due to the well-chosen proportions and high quality materials, this “Seal” chair is very comfortable to sit in, perfect for longer lounging sessions.

Ib Kofod-Larsen was one of the great pioneers of the Danish modern design movement in the 1950s. Rather than a regional phenomenon, he saw Scandinavian design as part of international modernism, and became one of the best-selling Danish architects in the United States in the 1950s.

Condition:

In good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The seat is a later addition to the design and has been reupholstered recently in a 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:

29.72 in W x 32.87 in D x 30.31 in H; Seat height 15.74 in; Arm height 24.4 in

75.5 cm W x 83.5 cm D x 77 cm H; Seat height 40 cm; Arm height 62 cm

Literature:

Mobilia Magazine n°106, May 1964

About the designer:

Ib Kofod-Larsen was born in 1921 in Denmark. Kofod-Larsen was trained as a cabinetmaker with the highest honours in 1944, and later completed his education as an architect from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1948.

His first recognition as a designer came when he won the Holmegaard Glass Competition and received the Danish Cabinetmakers Guild’s annual award. These awards attracted the attention of the Danish furniture manufacturer Faarup Møbelfabrik.

During his time at Faarup, he created some of his most beautiful works, like the rosewood Model 66 sideboard, and established himself as a furniture designer. Learn more about Ib Kofod-Larsen. ~H.