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Arne Norell 'Ilona' Sofa with Buffalo Leather and Sky Blue Fabric

About the Item

Arne Norell for Norell Möbel, two-seat 'Ilona' sofa, buffalo leather, fabric and beech, Sweden, 1970s. Swedish two-seat sofa designed by Arne Norell in the 1970s. The wooden frame in stained beech is characterized by the circular diameters of the woods. The clear and strong lines end on top with a slight twist. Beautiful thick buffalo leather is spanned to the beech frame to create the seating. A very clever construction which creates a stunning contrast both in materials, and color. Soft cushions made of a faux suede are placed in the seat for optimal support. A well designed piece that features organic forms and materials. Arne Norell (1917-1971) was a Swedish designer and furniture maker. He is known for using traditional, Classic materials such as leather and wood in original, sculptural manners. Little is known about his early years apart from that he opened a workshop in Stockholm in 1954. Four years later, in 1958, he opened a production factory 'Møbel AB Arne Norell'. This manufacturing company was set on a farm in Småland. It is said that the landscape and atmosphere on the farm defined much of the feel and aesthetics of Norell's work. Up until today, Norell’s daughter and son-in-law, Marie Norell-Möller and Thomas Möller, continue to produce his designs under the name Norell Møbel AB. The cushions have been reupholstered by the experienced craftsmen in our in-house atelier and are in excellent condition. We chose for a light sky blue, high quality fabric that creates a striking contrast with the natural tones of the wood and leather.

Creator:

Arne Norell (Designer),Norell Möbel AB (Manufacturer)

Dimensions:

Height: 29.93 in (76 cm)Width: 59.45 in (151 cm)Depth: 33.47 in (85 cm)Seat Height: 16.15 in (41 cm)

Style:

Scandinavian Modern (In the Style Of)

Materials and Techniques:

Beech,Fabric,Leather

Place of Origin:

Sweden

Period:

1970-1979

Date of Manufacture:

1970s

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftspeople in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. Check ‘About the item’ or ask our design specialists for detailed information on the condition.

Seller Location:

Waalwijk, NL

Reference Number:

Seller: 450109301stDibs: LU933124739352

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Shop All Arne Norell

Arne Norell

Arne Norell’s enduring designs mixed leather and metal as well as turned wood and bentwood in pieces that allowed the natural beauty of these materials to shine. Simple and casual yet sophisticated, his vintage sofas, lounge chairs and other furniture epitomize the Scandinavian modern style that took post–World War II design by storm.

Although he created versatile furnishings that promoted comfort along with style, Norell is lesser known than many other mid-century designers, with some of his work produced only after his death. Born in Åsele, Sweden, Norell opened a furniture workshop in Solna, just north of Stockholm, in 1954. In 1958, he established Møbel AB Arne Norell on a farm in Småland. (This region is also the birthplace of IKEA, which opened its first store that same year.) The beauty and tranquility of this location were a source of inspiration.

In Småland, Norell created his most well-known designs, among them the Inca armchair with visible wooden dowels and plush leather, the Indra and Ilona sofas and the spare but elegant wood-framed Sirocco chair (1964). For many of his designs, Norell looked to the same military-style campaign furniture that had, decades prior, inspired the revered Safari chair (1933) crafted by Kaare Klint, a legendary Danish designer and Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts professor who taught the likes of Hans Wegner, Ole Wanscher and others.

Like these earlier furniture designers, Norell was committed to making comfortable and practical furniture. Using leather and warm woods as the building blocks of his work, he eschewed glue and screws, instead securing his designs with buckles and leather straps. In 1973, Norell earned posthumous recognition from the British Furniture Manufacturers Association for his sumptuous Ari chair, a luxurious lounge set on a chrome-plated steel frame with foam cushions covered in leather.

During his lifetime, Norell’s work was popular among European interior designers. However, it became more widely known after 1971, when many of his designs were finally put into production. Norell’s furnishings, as well as work by his daughter Marie Norell-Möller and other Swedish designers, are still crafted by hand in the Aneby, Sweden, factory operated by Norell Furniture, which has remained a family-run company.

Find a collection of authentic vintage Arne Norell furniture today on 1stDibs.