Antti Nurmesniemi Furniture

Sauna stools in laminated birch with oak legs by Antti Nurmesniemi for G. Soderstrom, 1952. Originally designed for the Palace Hotel, Helsinki.

The design of products can relay various insights about the society and culture in which they have been produced. This set of four plates by Finnish industrial designer Antti Nurmesniemi is a great example of this. Finnish design is appreciated around the world for its minimalistic appearance, playful ruggedness and strict functionalism. In many pieces, design is sometimes ranked as a secondary feature since a product primarily serves its practical tasks. Therefore, unique design is generally regarded as a feature of exclusive products. In the second half of the 20th century, a great deal of Finnish design products utilised a mode of production still based more on handicrafts than completely mechanised mass production. These four pieces of beautifully carved and laminated plywood plates exemplify these characteristics of Finnish design. While functionality – especially in kitchenware – remain at the core, the raised detail in the centre of these plates adds a design element that makes them distinctive. The wooden pattern follows the curves, accentuating the centre. The plates are marked with the maker’s mark on the bottom. Dimension: 15.55 in Ø x 1.97 in H 39.5 cm Ø x 5 cm H About the designer: Antti Aarre Nurmesniemi (1927–2003) was a Finnish designer who is known for his iconic coffee pots and interior design work. Nurmesniemi is considered one of the pioneers of the Finnish design industry, he studied at the University of Arts and Design Helsinki. Nurmesniemi created a wide range of products, including pieces of furniture, telephones, and kitchenware. Some of his most famous pieces were the enameled coffee pot for Wärtsilä and furniture pieces such as the Jakkara sauna stool designed for Helsinki Palace Hotel, or the Triennale chair...

Sauna stools in laminated birch with oak legs by Antti Nurmesniemi for G. Soderstrom, 1952. Originally designed for the Palace Hotel, Helsinki.

This design was created for the Palace Hotel, Helsinki. G. Soderstrom. Finland, 1952. Laminated birch and oak legs