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.
Set of 2 Easy Chairs in Leather and Walnut by Arne Norell, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare pair of easy chairs, model Löven, was designed by Arne Norell and produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, during the 1960s. The chairs exemplify the principles of Scan...
Leather, Walnut
$5,318 / set
"Scirocco" Safari Chairs
By Arne Norell
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
Scirocco" Safari Chairs by Arne Norell, 1960s Introducing a pair of iconic "Scirocco" safari chairs, designed by the esteemed Swedish designer Arne Norell in the 1960s. These chairs...
Leather, Linen, Ash
$11,000 / set
Pair Arne Norell Leather Chesterfield Club Chairs
By Arne Norell
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Arne Norell Leather Chesterfield Club Chairs with rear casters.
Leather
Pair of Easy Chairs with Side Table in Beech and Leather by Arne Norell, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of easy chairs with side table in beech, leather and brass by Arne Norell, 1960s. Additional Information: Material: beech, leather, brass. Style: Midcentury, Scandinavia. ...
Brass
Easy Chair in Leather and Steel with Stool by Arne Norell, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare easy chair with matching stool, model Ari, designed by Arne Norell and produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden during the 1970s, stands as one of Norell’s most iconic a...
Steel
ARI chair by Arne Norell – Norell Möbel, 1960'
By Arne Norell
Located in LYON, FR
Lounge chair from the 1960s. Iconic ARI model by Swedish designer Arne Norell for Norell Möbel. The frame is made of chrome-plated steel of exceptional quality. The cushions are in...
Steel
Easy Chairs in Beech and Original Mohair Velvet Upholstery by Arne Norell, 1952
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy Chairs in Beech and Original Mohair Velvet Upholstery by Arne Norell, 1952 Additional Information: Material: Beech and original mohair velvet upholstery Style: Mid century, Sca...
Beech, Mohair, Velvet
$2,541 / set
H 17.72 in W 24.81 in D 16.93 in
Danish Modern Side Tables in Rosewood and Glass, 1960s. Set of 2.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Side Tables in Rosewood and Glass, 1960s. Set of 2. Elegant and stylish pair of Danish Mid-Century modern sidetables made in Denmark in ...
Smoked Glass, Rosewood
$1,004 / set
H 20.87 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Pair of Mid Century Bamboo and Rattan Side Tables, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very nice, understated yet very typical bamboo & rattan side tables. Two different heights: 44 cm and 53 cm The base areas are 33 x 33 cm and 41 x 41 cm.
Bamboo, Rattan
$3,800 / set
H 17.52 in W 17.52 in D 17.52 in
Pair of Midcentury Side Tables in Rosewood Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of side tables rosewood. Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard in 1960s, Denmark. Great original condition.
Rosewood
Mogens Koch ‘Mk-16’ Safari Chair for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Mogens Koch furniture designed a lot of award wining midcentury furniture. The Danish architect was known for his functional approach to furniture design and for prioritizing comfort and accessibility. Koch also drew on older traditions and techniques. His chairs and tables show the influence of the Shaker Style and Englisch pieces of the 18th century. Koch was born in Copenhagen and attended the Royal Danisch Academy of fine Arts. After graduating, he worked as an assistant to Kaare Klint, an important figure in Danish modernism who was responsible for establishing the furniture design program at Koch’s alma mater. Klint favored historical styles and inspired Koch to view furniture design as an evolutionary process built on the traditions of the past. Over the course of their partnership, in the late 1920s, Koch began creating modular bookcases. In 1932, Rud Rasmussen began to produce Koch designs. An early Koch seating design that the Danish manufacturer made was the MK Safari...
Leather, Beech
$18,319 / set
H 29.14 in W 25.6 in D 37.41 in
Arne Norell Easy Chairs and Stools Model Ari by Arne Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs with foot stools model Ari designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden.
Steel
$3,408 / set
H 27.56 in W 43.31 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Vintage Distressed Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Tub Armchairs
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Vintage distressed brown leather chesterfield club tub armchairs. A gorgeous pair with buttoned buttons, typical chesterfiel...
Leather
Pair of Mid-Century Side Tables in Teak by Albert Larsson, 1960s
By Alberts Tibro, Albert Larsson
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of side tables in teak and brass designed by Albert Larsson for Alberts Tibro. Made in Sweden in the 1960s. Great original condition.
Brass
$5,500 / set
H 28.35 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Arne Norell, Pair of Sirocco Lounge Chairs, Leather & Ash, AB Aneby, 1960s
By Arne Norell, Aneby Mobler
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful pair of safari chairs designed by Arne Norell and produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, during the 1960s. The chairs are crafted with a solid frame in ash and a wa...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Danish Safari Chair from Farstrup, 1960s
By Danish Deluxe
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid Century Safari Chair from the Danish manufacturer Farstrup. A minimalist design. The backrest and seat are made of a light canvas material. The solid wood frame can be dismantle...
Cotton
$4,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 26 in W 36 in D 36 in
Vintage White Egg Pod Chair Set with Side Table
Located in Napa, CA
Mid-Century molded plastic egg pod chair set, white plastic with leather seating and red piping. Sold as a set. Chairs each: 26" x 36" ...
Faux Leather, Plastic
Pair of Side Tables by Knud Joos for Jason Mobler, 1960s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of side tables with a rosewood veneer top floating on a steel base, labeled 'Illums Bolighus, Kobenhavn'.
Steel
$1,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 16 in W 22 in D 22 in
Vintage Pair of Signed Danish Side Tables with Exposed Joinery in Teak, 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lovely pair of side tables with exposed finger joinery featuring solid teak frames and tinted glass tops. This design highlights an exciting interplay between straight lines and curv...
Smoked Glass, Teak
Rare 'Skandi' Lounge Chair by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Norell for Norell Møbel AB, 'Skandi' lounge chair, brown leather, wooden frame, Denmark, 1960 This 'Skandi' lounge chair is designed by Arne Norell and reminds of the well-kn...
Leather, Ash
Sold
H 29.53 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Special listing for M: Arne Norell Lounge Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Arne Norell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Norell, pair of lounge chairs, in leather and wood, Sweden, 1960s. Two lounge chairs designed by Arne Norell with wonderful shapes and comfort in cognac leather. The tufted l...
Leather, Wood
Arne Norell 'Löven' Lounge Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Arne Norell, Møbel AB Sweden
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Norell for Møbel AB Sweden, two easy 'Löven' chairs, in brown, cognac leather and teak, Sweden, 1960s. These chairs are designed by Arne Norell. The pieces are elegant armch...
Leather, Teak
Pair of Arne Norell Sirocco Easy Chairs, Rosewood and Leather
By Arne Norell
Located in Lutz, FL
Iconic Mid Century Modern Rosewood and Brown Leather ‘Sirocco’ Safari chair pair designed by Arne Norell, Sweden c.1960’s. Solid rosewood frames with interesting grain pattern and na...
Leather, Rosewood
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model ARI
By Arne Norell
Located in Kastrup, DK
Arne Norell 1917-1971. Ari easy chairs designed and produced by Arne Norell in Solna, Sweden. Made in chromed steel and black leather upholstery. Designed in 1966. This is from the...
Steel
Sold
H 35.44 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Pair of Easy Chairs in Beech, Green Leather and Brass by Arne Norell, 1960′S
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Easy Chairs in Beech, Green Leather and Brass by Arne Norell, 1960s Additional Information: Material: Dark stained beech, green leather, b...
Brass
Easy Chair in Beech and Leather by Arne Norell, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy Chair in Beech and Leather by Arne Norell, 1960s Additional Information: Material: Dark stained beech, original green leather and brass Styl...
Beech
Sofa in Beech and Leather by Arne Norell, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Beech and Leather by Arne Norell, 1960s Additional Information: Material: Dark stained beech, original green leather and brass Style: mid...
Beech
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: Rosewood, cognac brown leather and original suede Style: Midcentury, Scandinavian Very...
Brass
Sold
H 28 in W 26 in D 25 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sirocco Safari Leather Chairs by Arne Norell from Swe
By Arne Norell
Located in Round Top, TX
A pair of Sirocco chairs originally designed by Arne Norell in 1964 and produced by Aenby Møbler . These chairs feature the original handstitche...
Leather, Wood
'Kontiki' Easy Chair by Arne Norell, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Kontiki chair by Arne Norell. Produced by Möbel AB Arne Norell, Sweden, 1970s. Very good condition.
Leather, Beech
Arne Norell "Thumb" Chair for Gösta Westerberg, Sweden, 1952
By Arne Norell
Located in Utrecht, NL
This "Thumb" Chair is one of the most recognisable designs of the Swedish designer, Arne Norell. The thumb-shaped backrest immediately stands out, giving the chair its distinctive...
Fabric, Wood