Midcentury Sigurd Ressell Chrome and Leather Falcon Lounge Set for Vatne Møbler

View Similar Items

Sigurd Ressell Leather Falcon Lounge Chair for Vatne Mobler

Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Mobler Mid Century Falcon Chair

Pair of Falcon Chairs by Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Møbler, Norway danish Modern

Norwegian Vintage Falcon Lounge Chair by Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Møbler, 1960s

Sigurd Ressell Falcon Lounge Chair with Black Leather and Chrome Base 1970s

Falcon Leather Lounge Chair by Sigurd Ressel for Vatne Møbler, 1970s

Falcon Bentwood and Leather Sling Footstool by Sigurd Ressell for Vatne 1970s

Vintage Danish Modern Falcon Leather Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Vatne Mobler

Midcentury Leather Chrome Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Sigurd Ressell

Scandinavian Modern "Falcon" Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Sigurd Ressell, 1970s

1970s Falcon Lounge Chrome Framed Chairs by Sigurd Ressell

Sigurd Ressell Vintage Leather and Anodised Aluminum Sofa for Vatne Mobler 1968

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 8

Midcentury Sigurd Ressell Chrome and Leather Falcon Lounge Set for Vatne Møbler

About the Item

An early production Scandinavian vintage midcentury Sigurd Ressell chrome and leather falcon lounge chairs, ottomans and falcon table set. An incredibly rare complete and original falcon lounge set by midcentury Norwegian designer Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Møbler. This set is literally the best of the best as regards Ressell’s Falcon chairs. Featuring the original chrome frames these are the high back version of the chair design in tan leather that also comes equipped with arm rests, matching foot stools and the original riven slate topped coffee table. There are so many outstanding features of this set it’s difficult to know where to start. It is very unusual to see any of the falcon chairs with arm rests and if you search online you’ll understand how rare they are. This in itself is surprising because the chairs are renowned for their cosseting comfort and the arm rests add to that experience. Originally designed in 1970 production started in 1971 with the chrome frame as standard but very few chairs were made with the leather strap belt style buckles that join the hanging seat to the chrome frame. You can see that again if you search online as virtually every chair you’ll see has metal retainers instead of the leather belts. By 1974 production was altered to change the chrome frame to a lighter bentwood, laminated structure to allow quicker manufacture and easier distribution and as Vatner Møbler’s sales of the chair tripled over just a 2-year period the falcon chair soon became an icon of outstanding Danish design. However, the chrome Falcons have always been considered the most beautiful and most sought after representation of the design and of course were exactly as Ressell first designed them. The set also benefits from having the original slate topped table to complete the entire ensemble Vatne offered to prospective purchasers, and again that is rare as it’s difficult to find one of the original slate tables in good condition let alone as part of an original complete set. Owned from new by the same family since the start of production in 1971 it’s clear this set has been truly cherished and very well looked after. As such it has the perfect amount of age related patina that adds to the appeal: the leather is warm colored with the subtle changes in color that you look for in vintage aniline leather; the buckles and straps have wear and marks from adjusting the seat to the perfect seating position and finally the table has some small marks and small nibbles from the top edge from social gatherings and no doubt many vibrant parties. All in all it’s an outstanding and comfortable and accommodating set that would become a centerpiece in any home, the ‘Falcons’ hang in the air with their high backs accentuating the wing like look of the bird of prey they are named after and as such add real presence to a room. They are presented in very good vintage condition commensurate with their age. There are marks and wear as you would expect given the set is now nearly 50 years old but there are no holes or tears in any of the leather and no rust or flaking of any of the chrome, and although the table does have a few very minor marks to the top edge there are no major chips out of the main edge or any major scratches or marks. Dimensions: Chairs H 100 x W 76 x D 85 cm Seat height 43 cm Ottomans H 40 x W 58 x D 58 cm Table H 40 x W 96 x D 96 cm.

Creator:
Sigurd Ressell (Designer),Vatne Møbler (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 39.38 in (100 cm)Width: 29.93 in (76 cm)Depth: 33.47 in (85 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 5
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Chrome,Leather
Place of Origin:
Denmark
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1971
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Highclere, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4278221204032

Vatne Møbler

Norwegian furniture manufacturer Vatne Møbler has a rich legacy underscored by visionary collaborations with iconic Norwegian furniture designers. The company’s mid-century modern and Scandinavian modern lounge chairs and armchairs are known for their quality leather upholstery that acquires a beautiful patina over time.

Vatne Møbler was established in 1946 by Knut Sæter in the village of Vatne, Norway. Sæter was an interior architect who studied at the Bergen School of Arts and Crafts. He designed and manufactured the company’s first pieces. In 1955, interior architect Gerhard Berg started working for Vatne Møbler. His designs — particularly for sofas — soon became popular.

Later in the 1950s, furniture designer Fredrik A. Kayser began creating pieces for Vatne Møbler. His furniture earned the company international acclaim. In 1960, Kayser’s 711 chair for Vatne Møbler won first place at an Industry Council chair competition.

After Kayser died in 1968, the company was overseen by interior designer Sigurd Resell. Resell’s most enduring contribution to Vatne Møbler was the 1970 Falcon armchair. The comfortable, leather-upholstered, X-framed chair came in second place at an Industry Council chair competition. In the 1970s, Resell designed a series of striking glass-topped Falcon coffee tables.

Vatne Møbler’s success lasted through the 1980s, a decade which included a collaboration with furniture designer Olav Eldøy. In 1989, the company encountered financial problems and was sold to Norwegian manufacturer Stokke AS.

In 2002, Knut Sæter’s son, Per Arne Sæter, reopened the family business by relaunching Kayser’s classic designs along with a new collection. Production shut down in 2008 due to the financial crisis, but started again in 2010.

In 2015, the grandson of Knut Sæter, Amund Sæter, published Møbeleventyret Vatne: Boken om Vatne Møbler 1946-1989, a book about the early history of Vatne Møbler. The company continues to operate the Vatne Møbler As store in Norway.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Vatne Møbler seating and tables.