During the mid-20th century, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked with pine, teak and his country’s native birch to create sleek and sculptural chairs, dining room tables and bookcases in the Scandinavian modern style. Tapiovaara’s areas of expertise expanded beyond furniture to include interior architecture, wooden sculptures, film posters and cutlery.
After completing his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, Tapiovaara embarked on a design career that would envelop his entire life. As a young man, Tapiovaara idolized revered architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto — whom, with his wife, Aino Aalto, cofounded Artek, the company that would eventually manufacture the majority of Tapiovaara’s creations. The budding designer had one of Aalto’s chairs in his apartment while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as an assistant in an office at Le Corbusier, then as a designer and artistic director at Asko.
By 1951, Tapiovaara and his wife, Annikki, had established their own studio. A few years previous, the pair had designed the now-legendary Domus chair while creating interiors and furnishings for a new student housing complex in Helsinki. Made of molded plywood and easily stackable, the ergonomic Domus chair, with its slender form, featured a modest silhouette — its lightweight structure allowed for easy exporting, and iconic mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Knoll added a low-backed version to its offerings in the early 1950s. (It was marketed as the Finn chair in the United States.)
Tapiovaara went on to design pieces for Pihlgren ja Ritola and Santa and Cole. His experience earned him teaching positions at the Institute of Applied Arts, the Helsinki University of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology. While in Chicago for the latter, he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Tapiovaara centered his passion for design on social responsibility. He wanted his creations to be accessible to everyone, which was the concept behind his democratic approach. In Finland’s postwar era, the goal was exemplary, affordable designs. With this in mind, he created products such as stackable chairs and “knock-down” pieces packed flat, so they shipped efficiently and cost less.
An influential champion of his profession, he spent two decades as a United Nations ambassador, working to improve design’s contribution to society. His lasting, collectible furniture is a testament to the designer’s goal to create humane, radiant and intimate spaces. The United Nations project included traveling to Paraguay to create much-needed furniture. A similar project followed in Mauritius.
Tapiovaara’s success as an industrial and mass producer of everyday furniture was widely recognized and awarded. He received six gold medals for his chairs alone at the Milan Triennials. He also accepted a Good Design award, the Finnish State Design Award, a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation and the Furniture Prize of the SIO Interior Architects’ Association of Finland.
Find vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, tables and lighting on 1stDibs.
$15,000 / set
Set of 6 "Pirkka" Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in San Francisco, CA
A set of 6 "Pirkka" chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara A set of Ilmari Tapiovaara design dining chairs, from the series "Pirkka". The sculptural design, is made in pine and black lacquered...
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Wooden Domus Armchair, Green Faux Leather, Finland 1950's
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Den Haag, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara Domus Armchair, Finland 1950's Early edition with it's original green faux leather upholstery.
Faux Leather, Wood
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Wilman Side Chair, Birch, Finland, 1956
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in High Point, NC
A birch and birch plywood "Wilman" side chair designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and produced by Wilh. Schauman Ltd., Finland, c. 1956. Provenance: Collection of Ilmari Tapiovaara. Over...
Birch
Iconic Fannett Side Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Evanston, IL
This striking Fannett chair is a classic piece of modern design blending clean lines with organic form. It's sleek frame with minimalist structure makes it both elegant and functi...
Beech
Dining Chairs By Ilmari Tapiovaara Circa 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Gloucester, GB
Dining Chairs By Ilmari Tapiovaara Circa 1960s - Price is for the set of 6 - Black frames with teak seats - Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara - Produced by Asko - Finnish ~ 1960s - 43cm...
Beech, Teak
$4,589 / set
H 36.23 in W 18.9 in D 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Set of 4 Leather D Dining Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian set of 4 cognac leather and dark beech wood dining chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for La Permanente Mobili Cantù. The chairs are in really good vintage condi...
Leather, Beech
Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka Stool for Laukaan Puu
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pirkka stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Designed for Laukaan Puu in 1957, stamped. Only one is available.
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Crinolette Lounge Chair
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An exceptional iconic chair designed by Finnish Master Ilmari Tapiovaara. A rare example of Scandinavian design. Less than 5000 of these chairs were ever created. Winner of the Ame...
Wood
Rocking Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko 1960s Finland
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Debrecen, HU
A beautiful Scandinavian Modern rocking chair designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Asko in Finland during the 1960s. The tall spindle backrest and slender curved armrest...
Wood
Ilmari Tapiovaara Domus Armchair
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy
Located in Highland, IN
A wonderful 1946 design by Ilmari Tapiovaara, the Domus chair was offered entirely of wood, with an upholstered seat, or an upholstered seat and back. This nice example, has beautifu...
Leather, Beech
$15,891
H 35.83 in W 21.66 in D 18.9 in
A Superb 20thC Set Of Eight Ilmari Tapiovaara Leather Dining Chairs c.1950
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb 20th Century set of eight dining chairs by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara for Permanente Cantu, dating from the 1950s. The hardwood frame supports a comfortable leather ...
Leather
$2,657 / set
H 29.53 in W 14.97 in D 15.36 in
Pair of Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka chairs, Laukaan Puu, Finland 1950s
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, FI
The iconic Pirkka chair was designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in the mid-1950s and produced by Laukaan Puu and later by Asko. It quickly became a favourite among modern furniture enthusi...
Pine
$1,875 / item
H 29.53 in W 24.02 in D 21.26 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Armchair, Faux Leather Upholstery, in stock
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Mid-Century Modern curved back dining armchairs upholstered in faux leather. Crafted of solid wood frame for either casual or formal dining room or kitchen. This chair is heavily c...
Faux Leather, Wood
Vintage ‘Tale’ Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Tale stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland. Stool was designed around 1953. This was part of a short run of reiditions produced around 2000. Nice fr...
Birch
Model Domus Chair, Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model Domus chair, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1950s. Birch. The chair is refinished. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use. Yrjö Ilmari Tapiovaara wa...
Birch
$2,367
H 31.11 in W 22.84 in D 21.26 in
Domus Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Balen, BE
Early version of the Domus chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara, produced by Keravan Puuteollisuus in the 1950s. The Domus Chair was originally designed in 1946 as part of a series of furnitur...
Birch
Set of 4 Pine Hongisto Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Crafted entirely from solid pine, these sculptural chairs showcase Tapiovaara’s signature blend of functionality and organic form, rooted in Finnish modernist ideals. Typical Tapiov...
Pine
Sold
H 29.14 in W 14.18 in D 14.97 in
Set Pirrka Dining Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1955
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of four Pirrka dining chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1955. This set is made out of in dark pine and black stained pine wood. Visible signs of age and use. H...
Pine
Bent Plywood Domus Chair by Tapiovaara for Knoll
By Knoll, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in New York, NY
Classic mid century bent plywood Domus chair designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara made by Keravan Puuteollisuus for distribution by Knoll. This example is in original black finish, it is in...
Plywood
Ebonized Plywood Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Thonet
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Thonet
Located in Rochester, NY
Ebonized plywood side chair with black enameled tubular steel legs by Finnish designer - Ilmari Tapiovaara for Thonet. Two labels on underside / paper label -Thonet, One Park Avenue NY & blue paper label - Thonet Industries...
Steel
Sold
H 29.93 in W 15.75 in D 16.15 in
Pair of Pirkka Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu Swedish
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of Pirkka chairs designed by Swedish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara. Made of beechwood painted in black with a seat in pine. Wear consistent with age and use.
Beech, Pine
Sold
H 41 in W 21 in D 17 in
Scandinavian Modern Wicker-Back Chairs Ilmari Tapiovaara 1950 Finnish Modern
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking 1950s wicker-back easy chairs by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara. Extremely rare and exquisite pair of easy chairs by Finnish Architect Ilmari Tapiovaara. The chairs are Fine example of Tapiovaara known to combine modern design aesthetic and Finnish peasant tradition. The use of solid wood added to the aura of crafted organism, not machine-made. This is an Otto Binx Year-end Clearance Sale Listing. The final Markdown price listed here is per item and firm. First come, first served. No holds. Final Sale. Clearance items tend to move quickly. Please do not hesitate if interested. Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999) was a renowned Finnish interior architect and designer. In his designs, Tapiovaara always sought to create a humane, well-lit and warm dwelling environment. Tapiovaara’s furniture pieces designed were always part of a whole, with the architecture as their starting point. Ilmari Tapiovaara graduated in 1937 as interior architect from the department of furniture design of the Central School of Arts and Crafts. After graduating, he visited the Paris World’s Fair and during his stay in France he got an assistant’s position for six months at the office of Le Corbusier. Soon after coming back to Finland, Tapiovaara was hired by the Asko company, Finland’s largest furniture factory, where he worked as a designer and artistic director for a few years. Alongside dozens of chairs and other furniture pieces mostly for public premises, Tapiovaara also designed interiors for numerous banks, offices, hotels and shops since the 1940s. His most famous designs include TT40 table, Tale stool...
Wicker, Wood
Set of Four Ilmari Tapiovaara Dining Chairs
By Edsby-verken, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant set of four Ilmari Tapiovaara for Edsby-verken, bentwood teak veneer seat dining chairs, with off-white frames, branded under seats.
Wood, Teak
Sold
H 35.83 in W 21.66 in D 25.99 in
Mademoiselle Lounge Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland, 1956
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Munster, NRW
"Mademoiselle" lounge chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland, 1956. Very good original condition.
Wood
Ilmari Tapiovaara Mademoiselle Chair for Asko, 1956
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice 'mademoiselle' low lounge chair designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland, 1956. This lounge chair was made of black lacquered wood, comes from first owner and is in ...
Wood