Domus Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Ilmari Tapiovaara (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.11 in (79 cm)Width: 22.84 in (58 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Balen, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8743239304302
Ilmari Tapiovaara
During the mid-20th century, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked with pine, teak and his country’s native birch to create sleek and sculptural chairs, dining room tables and bookcases in the Scandinavian modern style. Tapiovaara’s areas of expertise expanded beyond furniture to include interior architecture, wooden sculptures, film posters and cutlery.
After completing his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, Tapiovaara embarked on a design career that would envelop his entire life. As a young man, Tapiovaara idolized revered architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto — whom, with his wife, Aino Aalto, cofounded Artek, the company that would eventually manufacture the majority of Tapiovaara’s creations. The budding designer had one of Aalto’s chairs in his apartment while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as an assistant in an office at Le Corbusier, then as a designer and artistic director at Asko.
By 1951, Tapiovaara and his wife, Annikki, had established their own studio. A few years previous, the pair had designed the now-legendary Domus chair while creating interiors and furnishings for a new student housing complex in Helsinki. Made of molded plywood and easily stackable, the ergonomic Domus chair, with its slender form, featured a modest silhouette — its lightweight structure allowed for easy exporting, and iconic mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Knoll added a low-backed version to its offerings in the early 1950s. (It was marketed as the Finn chair in the United States.)
Tapiovaara went on to design pieces for Pihlgren ja Ritola and Santa and Cole. His experience earned him teaching positions at the Institute of Applied Arts, the Helsinki University of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology. While in Chicago for the latter, he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Tapiovaara centered his passion for design on social responsibility. He wanted his creations to be accessible to everyone, which was the concept behind his democratic approach. In Finland’s postwar era, the goal was exemplary, affordable designs. With this in mind, he created products such as stackable chairs and “knock-down” pieces packed flat, so they shipped efficiently and cost less.
An influential champion of his profession, he spent two decades as a United Nations ambassador, working to improve design’s contribution to society. His lasting, collectible furniture is a testament to the designer’s goal to create humane, radiant and intimate spaces. The United Nations project included traveling to Paraguay to create much-needed furniture. A similar project followed in Mauritius.
Tapiovaara’s success as an industrial and mass producer of everyday furniture was widely recognized and awarded. He received six gold medals for his chairs alone at the Milan Triennials. He also accepted a Good Design award, the Finnish State Design Award, a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation and the Furniture Prize of the SIO Interior Architects’ Association of Finland.
Find vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, tables and lighting on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Balen, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Marcel Breuer S64 Chair by Thonet, 1982By Marcel BreuerLocated in Balen, BEIconic tubular steel chair model S 64, designed by Marcel Breuer for Thonet in 1928. The frame is made of chromed tubular steel. The seat and backrest are covered with the "Viennese ...Category
Vintage 1980s German Bauhaus Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Set of 6 Brutalist chairs in Oak, 1960sLocated in Balen, BESet of 6 brutalist chairs in oak with wonderful wood grain, produced in the 1960s. The seats have been reupholstered in a beautiful white bouclé textile. These chairs are versatile ...Category
Vintage 1960s European Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Oak
- Ejvind A. Johansson J67 Dining Chairs for FBDBy Ejvind A. JohanssonLocated in Balen, BEStunning set of 6 dining chairs, model J67 by designer Ejvind A. Johansson for FDB Møbler, made in smoked oak. The chair was designed in 1957, this set was produced in the early 196...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Arne Wahl Iversen ST-750 Chair in Elm, 1960s DenmarkBy Arne Wahl IversenLocated in Balen, BERound armchair in elm designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Aage Petersen/Stilén in the 1960s. The chair is made from solid elm, even the round backrest and arms are one solid piece of e...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsElm
- Belgian Art Deco Chair, 1930sLocated in Balen, BEBelgian Art Deco chair from the 1930's with interesting dimensions and details like the low backrests and armrests, turned front legs, wonderful mix o...Category
Vintage 1930s Belgian Art Deco Chairs
MaterialsTextile
- Ceramic Table Lamp by Michael Andersen & Sons and Marianne Starck, 1950s DenmarkBy Michael Andersen & Son, Marianne StarckLocated in Balen, BEStunning ceramic table lamp made in Denmark in the 1950s by Michael Andersen & Son from Bornholm. The lamp was designed by artist Marianne Stack and features the so-called "Persia" ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Paper
- Ilmari Tapiovaara, Domus`Armchair , Keravan Puuteollisuus Ltd.By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus OyLocated in Helsinki, FIThe iconic Domus lounge chair was originally designed for the student housing project Domus Academica in Helsinki in 1947. This beautiful early version is stamped with the first pro...Category
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBirch, Plywood
- Ilmari Tapiovaara Model Aslak 2106 Chair, Asko, 1950sBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, AskoLocated in Helsinki, FIIlmari Tapiovaara model Aslak 2106 chair manufactured by Asko in the 1950s. Birch plywood and birch. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. The Aslak ...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBirch, Plywood
- Mid 20th Century Domus Chair Designed By Ilmari Tapiovaara, FinlandBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus OyLocated in Turku, FIDomus chair was designed by Finnish interior architect and designer Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1946. The chair was designed for the Domus Academica student housing complex, located in Hels...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Rocking Chair Made of Beech by Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1950sBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Faversham, GBA fabulous Ilmari Tapiovaara designed rocking chair for Asko. Made of beech with a blond seat and black lacquered frame, it is a classic piece of mid-century modern design. Finland...Category
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsBeech
- 1950s Ilmari Tapiovaara Chairs in Leather and BeechBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, La Permanente Mobili CantùLocated in Madrid, ESIlmari Tapiovaara chairs in beech and natural leather for La Permanente Mobili Cantu. Italia, 50´s. Condition consistent with age and use.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Ilmari Tapiovaara ChairsBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in PARIS, FRSet of 4 Pirkka chairs in pine wood by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, dating back to the 1950s. In perfect condition. DV529-530-531-532Category
Mid-20th Century Chairs
MaterialsMetal