Arne Norell Kon-Tiki Leather 3-Seat Sofa
View Similar Items
Arne Norell Kon-Tiki Leather 3-Seat Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:Arne Norell (Designer),Norell Möbel AB (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 90 in (228.6 cm)Depth: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Reupholstered. Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Seat cushions have new vintage-like leather, the seat backs are original. The frame has been lightly refinished.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: S453 PL1stDibs: LU922422312982
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.
- Stefan During "Colosseum" Sofa w/ Slatted Curved Back & Brown Leather Bench SeatBy Stefan DuringLocated in Los Angeles, CAGorgeous "Colosseum" leather and elm wood sofa by Dutch designer Stefan During. Working only with the best local woods and vegetable-tanned leather Durin...Category
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Elm
- Robert Parry 3-Seat Grey Velvet SofaBy Robert Parry, GelderlandLocated in Los Angeles, CAHandsome, Robert Parry designed, mid-century sofa for Gelderland. A formidable talent in many fields, Parry studied at the Royal Academy of Visual Arts in The Hague from 1925 to 2023...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Gerard Van Den Berg style butterscotch 3 seater sofa for JessBy Gerard Van Den BergLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautiful Gerard Van Den Berg style butterscotch 3 seater sofa for Jess. Comfy and stylish leather sofa with attractive curves and mid-century flair. In impressive original condition...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Gerard Van Den Berg 'Ringo' Three Seater Sofa for MontisBy Gerard Van Den Berg, MontisLocated in Los Angeles, CAMid-Century 'Ringo' three seater sofa designed by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis. Soft form sofa with thick leather.Manufactured by Montis and designed by co-founder Gerard van den B...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Molinari "Fat Boy" Black Leather SofaBy MolinariLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautiful, Mid-Century, thick black leather sofa by Italian acclaimed manufacturer Molinari. The family owned company has been in business since 1960 and is highly regarded for their...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Gerard van den Berg Sofa High Back Sofa for Montis in Cognac & Chocolate LeatherBy Gerard Van Den Berg, MontisLocated in Los Angeles, CAHigh back cognac leather sofa by Gerard van Den Berg for Montis. Cognac leather with 3 dark chocolate leather buttoned on back pillows and matching chocola...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Rare 2-seated sofa "Kontiki" by Arne NorellBy Arne Norell, Norell Möbel ABLocated in Genarp, SEDesign Arne Norell 1970´s Made by Norell Möbler, Sweden Buffalo leather, stained beech, leather straps brass detailsCategory
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Sofa by Arne NorellBy Arne Norell, Norell Möbel ABLocated in Lejre, DKGreat looking two-seat sofa in beech and leather back and seat with comfortable woven cushions, designed by Arne Norell for Aneby. Made in Sweden in the ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Beech, Fabric
$4,200 - Arne Norell 'Mexico' Sofa in Moss Green Leather, 3 Seats, Denmark 1960sBy Norell Möbel AB, Arne NorellLocated in Bochum, NRWArne Norell, 'Mexico' sofa, leather and teak, Sweden, 1960s. This comfortable three seats sofa is designed by Arne Norell and holds a robust, sturdy character. The base is made of...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Sofa in Patinated Leather by Arne NorellBy Arne Norell, Norell Möbel ABLocated in Lejre, DKSofa in patinated green leather and solid wood frame. designed by Arne Norell for Norell Møbel AB in the mid-1960s. A Very comfortable sofa in timeless design and quality. Made in Sw...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Arne Norell 'Merkur' Sofa in Cognac LeatherBy Arne Norell, Norell Möbel ABLocated in Waalwijk, NLArne Norell for Norell Möbel AB, sofa model 'Merkur', leather, mahogany, Sweden, 1960s This high-quality sofa called ‘Merkur’ is designed by the talented Swedish designer Arne Nore...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- 1960 Black Leather Chesterfield Model 'Jupiter' Three Seater Sofa by Arne NorellBy Norell Möbel AB, Arne NorellLocated in Silvolde, GelderlandBeautiful Chesterfield "model Jupiter" in sturdy black leather designed by the talented designer Arne Norell for Norell Möbler AB in Sweden. Build up with loose leather tufted cushio...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Chesterfield Sofas
MaterialsLeather
$4,949 Sale Price50% Off