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Price category: 1,000 - 2,500 usd / eur

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This side table is a classic piece of Scandinavian modern design, therefore it comes as no surprise that this model was awarded the Gold Medal at the California Fair in 1960. Folke Ohlsson was a decorated designer, he won a Gold Medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale and was given the Good Design Award by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His furniture was also one of the first exhibits featured at Stanford’s art museum.

“Frisco” was part of the 'Bra Bohag' production from Tingströms Furnitures, Sweden. ‘Bra bohag’ means‘ good furniture in Swedish, and behind the expression was the lobby organization for better-designed everyday furniture for Swedish homes in the 1950-60s. It consisted of several furniture designers and producers, among them Tingströms AB. This solid wood model has a beautiful veneer that stands out thanks to the simple, uncluttered design. The top features a raised “lip” or edge, a playful and practical design element. Early in his design career Ohlsson almost exclusively designed in natural beech blond wood until critics quickly forced him to move to darker walnut and teak woods. This model was also influenced by this, breaking with the light Swedish modern aesthetic. However, the structure with stretchers set parallel on the legs is still very characteristic of Swedish mid-century modern design, not to mention the top quality.

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.

Dimensions:

30.11 in W x 22.04 in D x 20.86 in H

76.5 cm W x 56 cm D x 53 cm H

About the designer:

Folke Ohlsson was a born in Malmö, Sweden in 1919 and died in Atherton California in 2003. Folke studied at the School of the Gothenburg Society of Industrial Design before he began working for the Swedish furniture and bedding manufacturer, Dux. In 1950, he moved to the United States with only a suitcase full of clothes and an exact miniature scaled model furniture of his own design. He also carried a cardboard that contained the broken-down components of one of his chairs.

Many other Swedish designers tried to bring “Swedish Modern” design to the United States market, most notably at the 1939 World’s Fair, but all doing so “haphazardly” Ohlsson once claimed in the Vestkusten newspaper. According to Ohlsson, when he 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. He quickly became notorious for his patented “knock-down” construction that reduced shipping and storage costs and helped to make Dux a household name in the USA. Early in his design career Ohlsson almost exclusively designed in natural beech blond wood until critics quickly forced him to move to darker walnut and teak woods.

At its peak production in 1955, the Dux line was sold in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii and grossed upwards of $1,000,000. Folke Ohlsson won a Gold Medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale and was given the Good Design Award by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His furniture was one of the first exhibits featured at Stanford’s art museum. Ohlsson’s pioneering knock-down concept revolutionized furniture production and transportation and lead to the birth of global companies such as IKEA today.