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

At the Tenth Milan Triennial in 1954, Finland received the largest relative proportion of available prizes. The amount was even more than those eight prizes the country collected at a previous Triennial in 1951, when it made its initial break-through in the international exhibitions of design. A new era had begun: the 1950s and 1960s became known as the golden age of Finnish design, and also of designer Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs.

His designs, including this sofa, are defined by the elegance and simplicity that defined mid-century design. With a clear preoccupation with geometry, this sofa model’s outstanding architectural frame speaks of the mastery of the designer and of the producer. The clearly lined wooden frame contrasts beautifully with the black leather upholstery, and the decorative elements of the backrest are in service of functionality, support, and comfort. The refined linearity defines the overall aesthetic, with crisp, architectural lines evidence of Hiort af Ornäs’s background in architecture.

The craftsmanship of Hiort af Ornäs is very visible in this model. The Finnish designer was very firm about two things regarding his seating designs: the sitting comfort, and that the model must look good from every single angle. This sofa fulfils these principles - the back of the sofa is beautifully woven and the frame showcases the elongated, tapered back legs that are visually captivating. Crafted with precision from solid wood, finished with a clear attention to detail and care for the aesthetic dimension as well, this sofa is sure to stand the test of time thanks to both visual quality and construction.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The sofa has been reupholstered recently in a premium leather. 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:

59.45 in W x 30.32 in D x 28.74 in H; Seat height 17.52 in

151 cm W x 77 cm D x 73 cm H; Seat height 44.5 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 spent his retirement in Spain, and designed numerous 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.