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.
Midcentury Scandinavian Arne Norell High Back Lounge Chair in Worn Tan Leather
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super stylish and equally comfortable high back lounge chair designed by Swedish design icon, Arne Norell, circa 1970. Perfect for spending hours curled up reading a book or listenin...
Leather, Beech
$5,912 / set
H 35.44 in W 35.04 in D 39.38 in
Arne Norell 'Inca' Lounge Chair with Ottoman in original leather
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Norell, 'Inca' lounge chair with ottoman, leather, beech, Sweden, 1965. The iconic 'Inca' lounge chair with ottoman in original red leather, designed by Arne Norell. The back f...
Leather, Beech
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Inca, 1970s
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Karlstad, SE
Pair of Arne Norell “Inca” Lounge Chairs, Sweden, 1970s Classic pair of “Inca” lounge chairs designed by Arne Norell in the 1970s. The chairs feature Norell’s signature combination ...
Leather, Beech
$12,950 / set
H 35 in W 35 in D 33 in
Arne Norell Inca" Scandinavian Modern Safari Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By Arne Norell
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair Scandinavian Inca Lounge Chairs with Ottoman by Arne Norell, 1970s. Small repair on one chair. 2 chairs and 1 ottoman. Labeled. Original fabric. Price for set of 3.
Fabric, Wood
Arne Norell 'Inca' Lounge Chair in original leather
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Norell, 'Inca' lounge chair, leather, beech, Sweden, 1965. The iconic 'Inca' lounge chair with ottoman in original red leather, designed by Arne Norell. The back features thick...
Leather, Beech
$5,920 / set
H 28.35 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Arne Norell Scirocco Lounge Chairs with Ash Frame and Leather Cushions
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of Arne Norell safari chairs. Original upholstered cushions with patinated leather. Frame of ash. Model Scirocco, made by Norell.
Leather, Ash
$5,616 / set
H 28.35 in W 26.78 in D 25.99 in
Arne Norell pair of 'Sirocco' lounge chairs Norel Mobel AB Denmark 1960
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Striking pair of “Sirocco” lounge chairs designed by Arne Norell and produced by Norell Mobel AB, Denmark 1960. A celebrated example of Scandinavian safari-style seating, the design ...
Metal
Arne Norell "Inca" Leather Lounge Safari Chair
By Arne Norell
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Arne Norell Inca Lounge Chair. Sweden, Circa 1970. Solid stained beech frame with original brown leather cushions. Patina on leather. 35w 33d 35h 16seat
Leather
Arne Norell Scirocco 2 Safari Chairs by Norell AB Sweden
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
A Pair of Scirocco Safari easy chairs by Arne Norell (1917-1971). They are made of solid rosewood mounted with patinated grain leather seat, backrest and armrests. Loose cushions of ...
Brass
$4,200
H 28.25 in W 26.75 in D 26.25 in
Vintage Rosewood and Leather "Sirocco" Lounge Chair by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing a stunning vintage leather lounge chair designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden. This exquisite piece, known as the Sirocco, embodies the tim...
Brass
Pair of Ari Lounge Chairs by Arne Norell, 1966
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in New York, NY
This is the design-rich ARI Chairs by Scandinavian designer Arne Norell. Norell's significance in design history is evidenced by his 1973 award of 'Showpiece of the Year' from the Br...
Steel
Arne Norell Ari lounge chair with Ottoman Sweden 1966
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Stunning Ari lounge chair with ottoman in original black leather, designed by Arne Norell, and manufactured by Norell Mobler AB, Sweden 1966. The structure is made of solid chromed,...
Steel
Pair of Italian 1950's Leather High Back Wing / Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A pair of sculptural high-back Italian wing chairs, with beautifully curved arm and back supports, supported on splayed and tapered black painted metal and brass legs. The chairs exp...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 41.25 in W 28.375 in D 28.5 in
Midcentury Scandinavian Arne Norell High Back Lounge Chair in Worn Tan Leather
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super stylish and equally comfortable high back lounge chair designed by Swedish design icon, Arne Norell circa 1970. Perfect for spending hours curled up reading a book or listening...
Leather, Beech
Sold
H 41.25 in W 28.375 in D 28.5 in
Arne Norell Pair of High Back Lounge Chairs Model Krister in Tan Leather, 1960s
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super stylish and equally comfortable high back lounge chairs designed by Swedish design icon, Arne Norell in the late 1960s and manufactured sometime in the 1970s. Perfect for spend...
Leather, Beech
Pair of High Back Lounge Chairs by Arne Norell, Sweden, circa 1950
By Arne Norell
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of high back leather chairs by Swedish designer Arne Norell, circa 1950. Original leather in excellent condition. Headrest easi...
Leather