Lounge Chair Upholstered in Off-White Sheepskin, Denmark 1960s
Lounge Chair Upholstered in Off-White Sheepskin, Denmark 1960s
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur
The rise of Danish furniture is deeply rooted in the transformative shift in design philosophy during and post-World War II. Danish designers turned limitations into creative opportunities, creating lightweight, robust, and aesthetically pleasing furnishings. The construction of this mid-century lounge chair revolves around the use of high-quality materials, comfort, and the mastery of the era’s Danish cabinetmakers. The design is focused on the aesthetics of modernism whilst employing the exquisite technique and material familiarity of the highly skilled craftsmen. This chair in many ways transcends the word ‘modern’, thanks to its unique look.
The organically-shaped seat gives this chair a sculptural and striking appearance. The body is formed like a nest that hugs the sitter. The wide seat and low armrests are not separated, rather, they are united and create an open and welcoming look. The legs are quite simplistic, which is a great design choice that contrast with the voluptuousness of the upholstery, letting it stand out. One of the features that is echoed throughout the majority of Scandinavian furniture designs is stark contrast. Designers often choose to emphasize this by featuring bold colors alongside natural materials, which is highlighted in the material choice of this chair. The material choice of wood for the legs is very characteristic of the era. Thanks to its well-thought-out construction and proportions, the sitting comfort is also outstanding.
This lounge chair is the perfect illustration of how the mixture of Danish craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and luxurious upholstery create exceptional pieces.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. This chair has been reupholstered recently in a 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:
35.43 in W x 35.43 in D x 33.07 in H; Seat height 17.72 in; Seat depth 25.20 in
90 cm W x 90 cm D x 84 cm H; Seat height 45 cm; Seat depth 64 cm
REQUEST PRICE HERE
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.