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
Arne Norell 'Inca' Lounge Chair in original leather
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Norell, 'Inca' lounge chair, leather, beech, Sweden, 1965. The iconic 'Inca' lounge chair in original leather, designed by Arne Norell. The back features thick buffalo leather...
Leather, Beech
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 Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
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
Arne Norell Saturn Lounge Chair + Ottoman in Brown Leather
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Sweden Designer: Arne Norell Manufacturer: Norell Møbler Era: 1960s Materials: Leather, Pine Measurements: 35.5? wide Condition: In excellent original condition with...
Leather, Pine
Safari Chair by Arne Norell for Norell Möbler, Sweden, 1960s
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Rødding, DK
This safari chair was produced by Norell Möbler in Sweden, identified by the manufacturer's label to the underside of the frame. The design is attributed to Arne Norell. The frame is...
Leather, Rosewood
$5,914 / 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 Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
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
$8,031 / set
H 27.17 in W 26.78 in D 25.99 in
Pair of Arne Norell "Sirocco" Safari Chairs, Ash and Leather, Sweden
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Rødding, DK
This pair of Sirocco safari chairs was designed by Arne Norell and produced in Sweden, confirmed by the manufacturer's label to the leg. The frames are built in solid ash, with turn...
Brass
$5,914 / set
H 28.35 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Arne Norell Scirocco Lounge Chairs with table, Ash Frame and Leather Cushions
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of Arne Norell safari chairs with attachabel table. Rarely seen option. Original upholstered cushions with patinated leather. Frame of ash. Model Scirocco, made by Norell.
Leather, Ash
Arne Norell 'Inca' Leather Chairs and Ottoman, 1970
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful and very comfortable 'Inca' chairs and ottoman designed by Arne Norell, produced by Norell Möbel AB in Aneby, Sweden, 1970, in chocolate brown buffalo leather on a dark sta...
Brass
$18,925 / set
H 34.65 in W 34.65 in D 34.65 in
Pair 1970s Green Leather 'Inca' Lounge Chairs With Ottoman By Arne Norell AB
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
These iconic Inca model lounge chairs with matching ottoman were designed in the 1970s by Swedish designer Arne Norell for Norell AB. A celebrated example of Scandinavian modern desi...
Leather, Canvas, Beech
Arne Norell Merkur Lounge Chair, Sweden, 1960
By Arne Norell
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice and comfortable Merkur lounge chair designed by Arne Norell and manufactured by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, 1960. The chair has very nice olive green tufted leather cu...
Leather, Ash
$10,039 / set
H 34.65 in W 34.65 in D 34.65 in
1970s Green Leather 'Inca' Lounge Chair With Ottoman By Arne Norell AB , Sweden
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
This iconic Inca model lounge chair with matching ottoman was designed in the 1970s by Swedish designer Arne Norell for Norell AB. A celebrated example of Scandinavian modern design,...
Leather, Canvas, Beech
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