Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Safari chair model Sirocco in good condition. Original cognac leather. Designed by Arne Norell
Brass
$4,186
H 28.35 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Rare Beige Leather Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The original 'Sirocco' chair from 1964 designed by Swedish designer Arne Norell. Handmade in Sweden
Leather
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with new seat cushions. Designed
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original leather. Designed by Arne
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition. Original leather and canvas
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original black leather. Designed by Arne
Brass
$9,568 / set
H 28.35 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, Sweden 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Excellent pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition. Original leather and canvas
Leather, Hardwood
Arne Norell Sirocco Easy Chair by Arne Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy chair model Sirocco designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden.
Brass
$8,800 / set
H 31.3 in W 30.12 in D 31.11 in
'Pilot’ Easy Chairs by Arne Norell for Norell möbel AB, Sweden 1960s
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Utrecht, NL
” chairs was designed by Arne Norell in 1967 and each of them was handmade in Aneby, Sweden in the same
Fabric, Wood
Sirocco Chair by Arne Norell, Sweden, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent safari chair / easy chair model Sirocco in green leather designed by Arne Norell
Leather
Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Lovely safari chair or easy chair in leather and ashwood frame. Designed by Arne Norell, 1964
Leather, Ash
Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Fantastic safari chair in rosewood and green leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Norells, Arne Norell
Located in Skanninge, SE
pair of dismantled (very easy to put together) chairs. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model Sirocco, 1960s. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco by Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of easy chairs or safari chairs model Sirocco or Scirocco designed by Arne Norell. Produced
Ash, Leather
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original green leather. Designed by
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell, Scanform
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of leather safari chairs model Sirocco in very good condition. Designed by Arne
Brass
Sold
H 28.35 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco in Rosewood and Brown Leather
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs model Sirocco designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Arne Norell easy chairs model Sirocco with side tables in rosewood
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A set of 4 rare easy chairs model Sirocco / Scirocco with side tables in rosewood and original
Leather, Rosewood, Suede
Arne Norell easy chairs model Sirocco by Arne Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of easy chairs / safari chairs model Sirocco designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne
Brass
Sold
H 28.35 in W 25.99 in L 28.35 in
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco Produced by Arne Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of easy chairs model Sirocco designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby
Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 25.99 in L 27.96 in
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco Produced by Arne Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of easy chairs model Sirocco designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby
Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 26.38 in D 25.99 in
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco with Side Table Produced by Arne Norell AB
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs model Sirocco with side table designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne
Brass
Arne Norell Sirocco Easy Chairs by Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of easy chairs model Sirocco in ash and brown / red leather designed by Arne Norell
Ash, Leather
Arne Norell Sirocco Easy Chairs in Rosewood by Arne Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in rosewood and brown leather designed by Arne Norell
Leather, Rosewood
Arne Norell Sirocco Easy Chairs in Rosewood and Black Leather
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of easy chairs model Sirocco or Scirocco designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 26.38 in D 25.99 in
Pair of Arne Norell Sirocco Easy Chairs in Cognac Leather for Norell AB, Sweden
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Pair of easy chairs model Sirocco in cognac leather designed by Arne Norell, Produced by Arne
Leather, Wood
Arne Norell Safari Chair Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely safari chair or easy chair in red leather and rosewood designed by Arne Norell, 1964
Leather, Rosewood
Arne Norell, a Pair of Safari Chairs "Sirocco" with Table, Sweden, 1964
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of easy chairs, model Sirocco, with side table in rosewood and brass. Designed by Arne
Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 26.78 in D 25.99 in
Easy Chairs in Rosewood, Cognac Leather and Original Suede by Arne Norell, 1964
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy chairs Model Sirocco designed by Arne Norell, 1964 Additional Information: Material
Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 70.48 in D 25.99 in
Model Sirocco Easy Chairs with Side Table by Arne Norell for Arne Norell AB, 196
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Pair of easy chairs model Sirocco with side table designed by Arne Norell, Produced by Arne Norell
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 27.96 in W 26.38 in D 25.99 in
Set of 2 Arne Norell Sirocco easy chairs for Norell AB, Sweden 1970s
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Set of 2 Sirocco easy chairs model Sirocco in light peach leather designed by Arne Norell, Produced
Leather, Ash
Sold
H 28.35 in W 25.99 in D 25.2 in
Pair of Wengé Arne Norell Model Sirocco Safari Chairs by Norell AB, Sweden, 1960
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Two beautiful chairs by Arne Norell, model Sirocco, which are also called the safari lounge chairs
Leather, Wenge
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Pair of Arne Norell easy chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s, some scratches on the leather and wear from
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model name Sirocco. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model name Sirocco. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model name Sirocco. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model name Sirocco. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model name Sirocco. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model "Sirocco", 1960s. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model Sirocco, 1960s. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of safari chairs model name Sirocco. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
manufacturer's label. New cushions (natural leather) produced by Arne Norell Möbel, Sweden.
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
"Sirocco" easy chair in mint condition. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in
Leather, Canvas, Ash
Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Safari chair model Sirocco in good condition. Original leather and canvas. Designed by Arne Norell
Brass
Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Fantastic safari chair in rosewood and green leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne
Leather, Rosewood
Green Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Fantastic safari chair in military green original leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by
Leather
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model Sirocco, 1960s. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model Sirocco, 1960s. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model Sirocco, 1960s. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of easy chairs model Sirocco, 1960s. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original leather. Designed by Arne
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model sirocco in good condition. Original leather. Designed by
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition. Original leather. Designed by
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original green leather. Designed by
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original green leather. Designed by
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original green leather. Designed by Arne
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original black leather. Designed by
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original brown leather. Designed by Arne
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original green leather. Designed by Arne
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original brown leather
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in very good condition. Cognac original brown leather
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in very good condition. Cognac original brown leather
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good vintage condition. Cognac original brown leather
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model sirocco in very good condition. Cognac original brown leather
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in very good condition. Cognac original brown leather
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in very good condition. Cognac original brown leather
Brass
Mamun Bedside (Dark Brown/Dusty Blue)
Located in Singapore, SG
Mamun, which translates to trustworthy in Arabic, was designed by Studio Kallang in 2021 as a playful take on both midcentury and brutalist forms. Designer Faezah Shaharuddin intende...
Teak
Chic 'Méandre' Gilt Bronze Side Chair by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Undulating 'Méandre' gilt bronze finish side chair by Design Frères. Gilt bronze finish over steel frame. Natural linen upholstered cushion with contrasting piping. Chic and unders...
Steel
$2,750 / item
H 21.5 in W 24 in D 14.5 in
Undulating 'Méandre' Verdigris Iron and Glass Side Table by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Undulating 'Méandre' verdigris iron and glass side table by Design Frères. Chic and understated.
Iron
Panoplie Iron Tripod Floor Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iron tripod floor lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new linen shade. Sold individually and newly made by Panoplie. Please inquire for current lead time. Measure...
Iron
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H. Clearance: 27"
Wood
$3,970 / item
H 31.89 in W 21.46 in D 21.26 in
Frank Lloyd Wright "Barrel" Chair for Cassina, Black Leather, 1937
By Frank Lloyd Wright, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Frank Lloyd Wright "Barrel" chair for Cassina, patinated wood and black leather seat, Italy, 1937. A timeless design informed by exceptional constructive complexity, the iconic "Ba...
Wood, Leather
Large LUhans Indoor Outdoor Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Part of our Lumfardo Luminaries contemporary collection, this larger version LUhans patinated un-lacquered copper indoor outdoor sconce is inspired by Scandinavian mid-century design...
Copper
$2,492 / item
H 11.8 in W 11.8 in D 7.5 in
Tulip Organic Modern Contemporary Wall Sconce, Wall Light in White Plaster
By Hannah Woodhouse
Located in London, GB
Handmade Tulip organic modern wall light/ wall sconce, in silky smooth white plaster, created by artist Hannah Woodhouse in her London studio. Contemporary organic modern design insp...
Plaster
$6,500 / item
H 14 in W 36 in D 20 in
Modern Oval Coffee Table in Oak Wood Cylinder Base and Glass by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Palazzo oval coffee table with green and ivory glass sits on 2 Rift White Oak Wood pedestals by Ercole Home. This new bespoke coffee table design by Ercole Home is available today fo...
Art Glass, Cut Glass, Walnut
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Oak Wood by Master for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Envisioned by designer Yaniv Chen, the Constant nightstand exudes an air of refined luxury, celebrating the inherent splendor of wood. Meticulously crafted with impeccable proportion...
Oak
$4,360 / item
H 28.35 in W 40.16 in D 34.65 in
"Pietra" Curved Armchair with Leather Arms Upholstered in Bouclé Fabric
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
Pietra from Italian: Stone The designer Marta Manente is of Italian descent, her great-grandparents migrated from Italy over 100 years ago and lived in the region of Bento Gonçalves ...
Bouclé
60" Woven Rush Bench in Walnut by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Available in 44" or 60". RLB 60 measures 60"w 18"d 17"h RLB 44 measured 44"w 18"d 17"h Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956, the Woven Rush Benches have been redesigned by Jud...
Rush, Walnut
De Sede Leather Patchwork Ottomans
By De Sede
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Large collection of patchwork leather pouf/ottomans by Swiss designer De Sede with patchwork leather and wonderful selection of colors. Original soft leather with beautiful patina ...
Leather
$1,913 / set
H 21.66 in W 24.02 in D 35.83 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century-Modern Lounge Chairs in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Pair of Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Modules can be used as a modular sofa or modular seating set. Beautiful and unique shape. A 1970 design and p...
Bouclé, Foam, Wood
$1,800 / item
H 26 in W 18 in D 18 in
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak This Modern Cicely Counter Stool with Sheepskin Seat is beautifully constructed from solid white oak in Ohio, ...
Sheepskin, Wood, Oak
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.
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.