$2,415 / set
H 39.38 in W 21.66 in D 18.9 in
Totem chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, 1980s set of 6
By Torstein Nilsen, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Scandinavian Postmodern dining chairs designed by Torsten Nilsen for Westnofa. Striking design
Fabric, Wood
Totem Dining Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa - Set of Six
By Westnofa Furniture, Torstein Nilsen
Located in Raleigh, NC
Postmodern dining chairs designed by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, Norway. If you are looking for
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Set of 8 Totem Armchair By Torstein Nielsen for Westnofa
By Torstein Nilsen
Located in Miami, FL
Rare set of 8 TOTEM armchair made by Torstein Nielsen . Black paint oak and suede .
Suede, Wood
$7,246
H 34.26 in W 21.66 in D 22.05 in
4 Totem dining chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, Italian design table
By Torstein Nilsen, Westnofa Furniture, Vintage Italian Glass
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Set of 4 Mid Century Totem dining chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa with Italian design dining
Brass, Chrome
Unavailable
H 40.16 in W 21.66 in D 23.23 in
Extraordinary Memphis Style TOTEM Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, 1980s
By Torstein Nilsen, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Schagen, NL
These sculptural Norwegian high back dining chairs were designed by Torstein Niksen for Westnofa
Fabric, Oak
TOTEM Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, 1980
By Torstein Nilsen, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Scandinavian Postmodern diing chairs designed by Torsten Nilsen for Westnofa. Striking design
Leather, Wood
Totem chairs by Torstein Nislen for Westnofa, 1980s
By Torstein Nilsen, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Scandinavian Postmodern diing chairs designed by Torsten Nilsen for Westnofa. Striking design with
Fabric, Wood
Set of 10 Westnofa "Totem" Chairs by Torstein Nilsen
By Torstein Nilsen, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Richmond, VA
Incredible set of 10 teak dining chairs designed by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa Furniture, Norway
Teak
Sold
H 39.75 in W 21.25 in D 22 in
Norwegian TOTEM Dining Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, Set of Six
By Westnofa Furniture, Torstein Nilsen
Located in South Bend, IN
A stylish set of six Scandinavian Modern black lacquered TOTEM dining chairs designed in Norway by
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 34.5 in W 21.5 in D 20 in
Scandinavian Modern TOTEM Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, Set of Four
By Westnofa Furniture, Torstein Nilsen
Located in South Bend, IN
Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa. The chairs feature solid teak and oakwood stick and ball, fan back, frames
Oak, Teak, Lacquer
Sold
H 39.75 in W 22 in D 23 in
Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa Scandinavian Modern "TOTEM" Armchairs, Pair
By Torstein Nilsen, Westnofa Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of "TOTEM" armchairs designed by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa Furniture of Norway
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Pair TOTEM Chairs for Westnofa Design by Torstein Nilsen, Norway
By Westnofa Furniture, Torstein Nilsen
Located in Buffalo, NY
These sculptural Norwegian high back dining chairs were designed by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa
Wood
Torstein Nilsen TOTEM Dining Chairs for Westnofa
By Torstein Nilsen, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Set of four 'TOTEM' fan back dining chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa; two armchairs and two
Sold
H 40 in W 21.75 in D 22 in
"Totem" Dining Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa Danish Modern - Set of 6
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage "Totem" Dining Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, Danish Modern - Set of 6. Item
Teak
Sold
H 34.5 in W 21.5 in D 18.5 in
Vintage Midcentury Set of 8 Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa Dining Chairs, 1970s
By Westnofa Furniture, Torstein Nilsen
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Now available is a set of Totem chairs by Torstein Nilsen For Westnofa circa 1970s. They feature
Bentwood
Sold
H 40 in W 21 in D 21 in
Set of Four Scandinavian Modern Teak Totem Dining Chairs by Torstein Nilsen
By Westnofa Furniture, Torstein Nilsen
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice set of four scandinavian modern teak fan back "Totem" dining chairs by Torstein Nilsen
Fabric, Teak
Totem dining chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa
By Westnofa Furniture, Torstein Nilsen
Located in BAARLO, LI
This rare set of four chairs was designed in Norway in 1984 by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa. The
Suede, Oak
Post-Modern TOTEM Chair by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa
By Westnofa Furniture, Torstein Nilsen
Located in BAARLO, LI
This rare chair was designed in Norway in 1984 by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa. The chair is of
Leather, Oak
Set of 4 Torstein Nillsen “TOTEM” Dining Chairs for Westnofa
By Westnofa Furniture, Torstein Nilsen
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful set of black lacquer “Totem” chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa. Minor wear
Oak, Teak, Lacquer
TOTEM Chair by Torstein Nilsen Westnofa, Norway, 1980s
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Nagoya-Shi, 23
TOTEM chair was designed by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, Norway in the 1980s. This distinctive
Fabric, Wood
$28,500
H 29.5 in W 110 in D 39 in
Breathtaking Olivewood Extension Dining Table by Milo Baughman, circa 1975
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent dining table is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. An excep...
Hardwood, Olive
Mid-Century Modern Curved or Circular Modular Serpentine Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A six piece modular sofa circa 1970's. These feature their original burnt orange wool fabric. In usable condition but would look great with updated fabric. We have 2 matching sof...
Fabric
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
$2,499 / item
H 16.9 in Dm 39.4 in
Large Jacques Adnet 'Circulaire' Glass and Tan Leather Coffee Table for GUBI
By Jacques Adnet, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Jacques Adnet 'Circulaire' Glass and Tan Leather Coffee Table for GUBI. Originally designed by Jacques Adnet in the 1950s, this incredibly refined coffee table is executed in ...
Leather, Glass
$2,096Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 27.5 in W 44 in D 44 in
StavOak Dining Game Table & 4 Chairs Jack Daniels’ Barrel Staves Jobie G Redmond
By Jack Daniels
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome original StavOak dining table or game table and glass top with four (4) chairs designed by Jobie G. Redmond and made from Jack Daniels’ barrel staves. This set is in wonderf...
Oak
1920s Art Deco Burr Walnut Fire Mantel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large 1920s Art Deco burr walnut fire mantel with a beautiful character grain and striking stepped profile. This handsome antique fireplace is a chic addition to original 1920s pro...
Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Walnut Armchair
By Finn Juhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural solid walnut and upholstered occasional chair after Finn Juhl. The chair has tapered legs, a subtly curved chair back and retains its original turquoise vinyl upholstery.
Walnut
$6,401 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
$17,084Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 69.3 in W 137.8 in D 90.56 in
21st Century Ej Ee Bed Upholstered Velvet Headboard Made in Portugal by Malabar
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
The Postmodernism movement is notoriously difficult to define. So the best way to characterize this elusive art movement is that it’s a reaction against the utopian ideals of moderni...
Cotton, Wood
Serge Castella Chandelier, circa 2000, France
By Serge Castella Interiors
Located in Girona, Spain
Large "Spring" chandelier by Serge Castella Custom-made Signed and numbered Metal and plaster France, circa 2000 Excellent condition. Serge Castella Interiors focuses on Antiques, ...
Metal
$5,435 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 10.24 in
Pair of Sunburst Ceiling Light Fixtures in Gilt Iron & Milk Glass, Nail Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
French 1940s-1950s sunburst light fixtures, milk glass, gilt iron Rare find Beautiful pieces placed alone but also interesting mixed with other light fixtures in this manner to creat...
Gold Leaf, Metal, Iron
$3,500 / set
H 36 in W 19 in D 23 in
Set of 6 Mid Century Italian Modern Sculptural Dining Chairs After Verner Panton
By Verner Panton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning vintage set of six dining chairs after Verner Panton. These chairs feature a sculptural design. Chairs will eventually need to recovered. Upholstery is original and in fai...
Fabric
$10,145 / item
H 35.44 in W 59.06 in D 15.75 in
Long brass chandelier in Murano glass by Studio Glustin
By Glustin Creation
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Long brass chandelier with sculpted Murano glass. Italy, 2024.
Brass
Murano glass chandelier by Studio Glustin
By Glustin Creation
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Chandelier in white lacquered metal and Murano glass. Creation by Studio Glustin
Metal
Bespoke English Oak Dining Table by Jonathan Field.
By Jonathan Field
Located in London, GB
English oak dining table commissioned for a private client's lakeside house in the Cotswolds, England. Made from several slabs of live edge oak, the timber grain and figure is differ...
Oak
$2,950
H 39 in W 58 in D 3.5 in
Curtis Jere Peacock / Swan Wall Sculpture, Signed and Dated 1987, Brass Finish
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Kansas City, MO
Large Curtis Jere wall sculpture of a peacock / swan. Completely original in very good to excellent condition metal sculpture with a brass finish and applied patina creating the dark...
Metal
While Norway comprises something of an unsung chapter in the history of Scandinavian modernism, an export company called Westnofa shouldn’t be overlooked. It represented a collective of the country’s leading manufacturers to promote and export their furniture worldwide. Westnofa was key to the success of Norway’s mid-century designers and furniture brands, and fostered the growth of entities that might otherwise be unknown to today’s design aficionados.
Norway’s furniture factories were largely destroyed during World War II, and while the country’s sophisticated works — designed in teak, pine and other prized woods — had earned a place in Scandinavian modernism, its output was overshadowed by big names such as Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen who’d earned icon status in Finland and Denmark, respectively. Westnofa, a name derived from “West Norway Factories,” took shape in the late 1950s in order to circumvent the limitations that the country’s furniture industry had faced in the areas of marketing and production. Some of the manufacturers connected to Westnofa were P.I. Langlo Møbelfabrikk, Ekornes, Stokke and Vestlandske.
Westnofa took great pains to devise the most cost-effective and efficient method of packing and shipping worldwide. Flat-pack assembly for lightweight shipping was the result. In neighboring Sweden during the late 1940s, DUX president and furniture designer Folke Ohlsson put the same idea into practice. Flat-pack assembly saved space in warehouses and money on transportation. It’s a breakthrough that survives today — namely at popular Swedish brand IKEA.
While it’s unclear if Westnofa also produced furniture in addition to exporting the goods of a group of manufacturers, some of the more well-known designers that are today mentioned alongside the company include Ingmar Relling, Torstein Nilsen and Jens Nielsen. Relling is best known for seating and his most famous piece associated with Westnofa is his high-backed Siesta chair, which features supple leather cushions atop a bentwood frame. Torstein Nilsen designed an elegant glass-topped bentwood dining table that is also commonly linked with Westnofa. Jens Nielsen created minimalist, sculptural lounge chairs in birch and plywood that are connected with the Westnofa name.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Westnofa seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
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.