Johannes Andersen
Sofa and two armchairs, 1960, for Trensum, Sweden
1960

About the Item

Johannes Andersen Sofa and two armchairs c. 1960, for Trensum, Sweden polished aluminium foot, latex cushions, black leather Sofa: height 67 cm, length 222 cm, depth 76 cm, height of seat 37 cm Armchair: height 65 cm, width 90 cm, depth 73 cm, height of seat 37 cm After completing his carpentry apprenticeship in his early 20s, Andersen began designing for various furniture manufacturers, including CFC Silkeborg and Trensum. A few years later, he opened his own workshop and was successful right from the start. Free from the constraints of working in another studio, Andersen quickly developed his own distinctive style based on Danish functionalism and human-centered design. After the end of the Second World War, Andersen noticed the global post-war consumer boom and the burgeoning interest in modern Scandinavian design. He took advantage of this and began selling his beautifully shaped and visually appealing tables, chairs and sideboards in markets outside Denmark. Other Scandinavian manufacturers became aware of Andersen's work, which led to many successful, career-long collaborations for the furniture manufacturer. Andersen transformed the traditionally square or rectangular tops and surfaces of furniture - such as the tops of coffee tables and the backs of dining chairs - into imaginative crescents with rounded corners, beveled edges and flowing contours. His unexpected use of curves is the highlight of his elegant Capri line for Trensum and is echoed in his comfortable, saddle-shaped Allegra bar stool and the playful but elegant Smile coffee table, which features an anthropomorphic grin in the slot provided for magazines. Andersen wanted his furniture to be compact - he experimented with reducing the footprint of bulky furniture, and his simple, iconic credenzas, sideboards and folding bar cabinets were born. This and other vintage furniture by Johannes Andersen is now highly sought after by collectors and mid-century modern enthusiasts around the world.

Creator:
Johannes Andersen (1903 - 1991, Danish)
Creation Year:
1960
Dimensions:
Height: 26.38 in (67 cm)Width: 87.41 in (222 cm)Depth: 29.93 in (76 cm)
Medium:
Leather
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Condition:
Gallery Location:
Tallinn, EE
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2243213538522
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