Arne Norell "Ilona" Three-Seat Sofa, Sweden 1960
View Similar Items
Arne Norell "Ilona" Three-Seat Sofa, Sweden 1960
About the Item
- Creator:Norell Möbel AB (Manufacturer),Arne Norell (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 86.62 in (220 cm)Depth: 32.29 in (82 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:Seller: -1stDibs: LU153223067622
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.
Norell Möbel AB
Swedish furniture company Norell Möbel AB continues the legacy of founder Arne Norell who created timeless, hand-crafted mid-century furnishings and impacted the world of Scandinavian modern furniture.
In 1954, Norell opened his first workshop in Solna, Sweden, before moving to Småland in 1958 to establish Möbel AB, today known as Norell Möbel AB. Arne Norell designed using a mix of turned and bentwood, leather and metal to create comfortable and durable sofas, lounge chairs and other furniture until his death in 1971.
His career working out of Småland produced some of his greatest work, such as the Inca armchair, the Indra and Ilona sofas, and the Sirocco Chair. Inspired by the iconic Safari chair by Kaare Klint, known as the father of Danish modern furniture design, the Sirocco chair was unique in that Norell used leather straps and buckles to secure the chair together over traditional glue and screws.
Norell Möbel AB has put many of Arne Norell’s designs into production for the first time since his death, contributing to Norell’s designs becoming better known and more collectible. During Norell’s lifetime, his work was popular among European interior designers; since then, Norell Möbel AB’s furniture has found homes in Swedish Parliament buildings, embassies, restaurants and hotels. Two years after Norell’s death, the British Furniture Manufacturers awarded his Ari chair the Showpiece of the Year award.
Norell Möbel AB remains a family-run company passed down to Norell’s daughter, Swedish furniture designer Marie Norell-Möller. Norell-Möller has produced many of her own award-winning designs, like the Paris café chair and the Leo armchair. A graduate from the Swedish University of Art, Crafts and Design, Norell-Möller developed a keen eye for softer, approachable designs, counter to many industrial forms found today. Norell-Möller’s designs, in tandem with her father’s, are handcrafted out of the same factory Arne started back in the 1960s.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic vintage Norell Möbel AB armchairs, loveseats and other seating.
- Elegant Three-Seat Danish Curved Sofa, 1940s, New Velvet UpholsteryLocated in Paris, FRRare and elegant three-seat curved sofa manufactured in Denmark, in the 1940s. Very soft and comfortable seat. Light oak feet. Perfect condition. Original piece from the 1940s newly...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Oak
- Elegant and Large Italian Three-Seat Curved Sofa, New Velvet Upholstery. 1950sLocated in Paris, FRElegant and wide Italian three-seat curved sofa. Circa 1950/60. Soft and comfortable seat. Light beech waxed feet. Perfect condition. Original pieces from the 1950s newly re-upholstered in the traditional way by the best French craftsmen, we used a high quality velvet fabric from Kvadrat Raf Simons' collection and new foams. We can particularly appreciate the work and savoir-faire of our team of upholsterers respecting the original design, using the right proportions and lines as it was designed in the 50's. If needed for a project, we also have the pair of armchairs in stock...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Velvet, Beech, Fabric
- Marco Zanuso, Pair of Sofas Model Baronet for Arflex, 1964By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Paris, FRLovely Pair of "Baronet" lounge sofas designed by Marco Zanuso and edited by Arflex in Italy, 1964. The side panels are made of rosewood plywood. The frames have been entirely refin...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
- Two-Seat Sofa, Denmark, 1950, New Upholstery Bouclé FabricLocated in Paris, FRBeautiful two-seat curved sofa manufactured in the 1950s. Lovely shape and curves. Very comfortable seat with two feather cushions covered of blue Kvadrat velvet. Perfect condition,...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Loveseats
MaterialsFabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
- Illum Wikkelsø, Leather Sofa for Holger Christiansen, Denmark, 1960By Holger Christiansen, Illum WikkelsøLocated in Paris, FRNice loveseat free-standing sofa Model V12 upholstered in light brown patinated leather, tapered Brazilian rosewood legs. This very beautiful two-seat sofa was designed by Illum Wikk...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Upholstery, Wood
- Lounge Set of Two-Seat Sofa and Armchair Model 500 by Hans Olsen for CS MøblerBy Hans Olsen, CS MøblerLocated in Paris, FRNice Lounge set composed of a two-seat sofa and an armchair model 500 designed by Hans Olsen for the danish company CS Møbler. Nice quality for the Rosewo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsRosewood, Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery
- Arne Norell Ilona Sofa, Sweden, 1970sBy Norell Möbel AB, Arne NorellLocated in London, GBAn original two-seat Arne Norell Ilona sofa in patterned fabric. Made by Norell Mobler in Sweden. In very good vintage condition with minor sign...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsBrass
$3,469 Sale Price25% Off - Arne Norell Three-Seat Sofa Model Ilona, 1970sBy Arne NorellLocated in Stockholm, SEThree-seat. Brown original leather, brass, stained beech. Good condition. Design by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell Möbel, Sweden.Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Arne Norell Three-Seat Sofa Model Ilona, 1970sBy Arne NorellLocated in Stockholm, SEThree-seat. Leather, brass, stained ash wood. Design by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell Möbel, Sweden. Global front door shipping, flat-packed: €800 Please note: cushions in ...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Arne Norell Three-Seat Sofa Model Ilona, 1970sBy Arne NorellLocated in Stockholm, SEThree-seat. Original fabric, brown leather, brass, stained beech. Design by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell Möbel, Sweden.Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Arne Norell Three-Seat Sofa Model Ilona, 1970sBy Arne NorellLocated in Stockholm, SEThree-seat. Leather, brass, stained ash wood. Design by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell Möbel, Sweden. Global front door shipping, flat-packed...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Leather Cromwell Sofa by Arne Norell, 1960sBy Arne NorellLocated in Warszawa, MazowieckieThis Cromwell 3-seater leather sofa was designed by Arne Norell during the 1960s. It is a timeless design and as popular today as it was 60 years ago when it was launched. The sofa is upholstered with high-quality natural leather in shades of earthy brown. The slender form with slightly tilted sides has a modernist character. It has loose seat cushions, backrests and side cushions. The legs were made of oak wood. This Cromwell sofa...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Wood
$4,677 Sale Price20% Off