Pinewood Bench with Upholstered Seat by Krogenæs, Norway 1960s
Pinewood Bench with Upholstered Seat by Krogenæs, Norway 1960s
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
A concern with the aesthetic design of crafts can be seen in the Scandinavian arts as far back as the Vikings. The first part of the new century saw a new wave of Norwegian design, humanistic in its approach, and focused on the aesthetic of everyday objects. This approach expressed the Scandinavians’ attitude towards their environment and is recognizable by its emphasis on unpretentious forms.
This highly functional bench’s mid-century style is effective without needing heavy elements. Uncompromising on quality materials and craftsmanship, the design is focused on functionality. The Norwegian manufacturer, Krogenæs, is well-known for the high-quality pine furniture. This bench is a great example with its simple and robust design joined by classic, traditional techniques. Albeit the piece is made of solid wood, the pine’s light colour and the slender lines create an airy feeling, while also retaining an overall impression of strength and durability. This is enhanced by the careful mixture of the tapered legs and the Asian-inspired Scandinavian-style joinery that uses nothing, but the wood itself. The richly textured shearling adds a lot of visual interest and comfort, ensuring the cosiness that Scandinavian design is beloved for.
From the joinery technique and woodworking, every detail reveals the quality craftsmanship of the experts at Krogenæs Møbler. The most charming thing about this Norwegian bench however, is that it has classic elements reflecting its history, while lending itself easily to a modern interior.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some marks and scratches on the wood. The bench 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:
35.43 in W x 12.2 in D x 16.92 in H
90 cm W x 31 cm D x 43 cm 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.