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Folke Ohlsson

Swedish, 1919-2003

Folke Ohlsson pioneered the “knock-down” revolution of furniture, making the innovative flat-pack means of manufacturing and shipping common practice. Credited with playing a significant part in bringing Scandinavian modern forms to the United States, he was an international designer who created attractive pieces that are highly coveted by today’s collectors.

In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). While leading the design team for Studio Ljungs Industrier in his native Malmö, Ohlsson visited the West Coast of the United States in 1950 and opened DUX Inc., to expand the company’s global footprint. DUX put into practice an idea that Ohlsson patented for the so-called “knock-down,” or “KD,” chair, a term referencing easy, flat-pack assembly. It saved DUX space in warehouses and money on transportation and was a concept that would inspire hundreds of subsequent companies — most notably fellow Swedish brand IKEA

Integrating American upholstery with Swedish knock-down hardware and wooden frames, Ohlsson and DUX revolutionized the furniture industry. The manufacturer consistently worked with brilliant mid-century modern designers — among them Bruno Mathsson, Edward Wormley and Alf Svensson — expanding the brand’s portfolio and establishing credibility as a design source. Today vintage DUX sofas and dining chairs are valuable collector’s items, and the space-saving attributes and efficiency associated with the company’s modular designs continue to influence manufacturers all over the world.

Partly because of the affordability of DUX’s furniture — as well as an understandable affinity for the simplicity, warmth and coziness of Scandinavian modern design — postwar America embraced Ohlsson’s vision. One of Ohlsson’s best-known designs is the Profil lounge chair, built on a teak frame that can rock or recline with the push of a lever, while the wool bouclé upholstery is sumptuous and stylish. Another iconic collection is the clean, minimal Pasadena set of sofas, footstools and armchairs, fashioned from solid walnut with brass sabots.

The Milano Triennale and the “Good Design” exhibition series at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art distinguished Ohlsson with more than 30 awards. In 1964, he was honored with Sweden’s Royal Order of Vasa decoration by King Gustav VI Adolf because of his role in exporting modern Scandinavian aesthetics to America. Ohlsson’s designs were also produced by Bodafors and Fritz Hansen.

On 1stDibs, find a selection of Folke Ohlsson seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.

Iconic Designs from Folke Ohlsson
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Folke Ohlsson Profil
Folke Ohlsson Profil
Folke Ohlsson Pasadena
Folke Ohlsson Pasadena
Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair in Black Leather
By Fritz Hansen, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen, easy chair, leather, teak, Denmark, designed in 1957 This mid-century lounge chair, designed by Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen in 1957, blends comfor...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Folke Ohlsson

Materials

Leather, Beech

Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair in Black Leather
Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair in Black Leather
H 34.65 in W 33.86 in D 37.01 in
Folke Ohlsson 'Profil' Lounge Chair in Leather
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Folke Ohlsson for DUX, lounge chair, model 'Profil', leather, oak, Sweden, 1960s Lovely lounge chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX. On a bright oak wood frame surrounds the seat...
Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Folke Ohlsson

Materials

Leather, Oak

Folke Ohlsson 'Profil' Lounge Chair in Leather
Folke Ohlsson 'Profil' Lounge Chair in Leather
H 39.38 in W 33.86 in D 35.44 in
Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen Lounge Chair in Geometric Blue Upholstery
By Fritz Hansen, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen, lounge chair, model '4410', fabric, teak, Denmark, design in 1957 Armchair by Folke Ohlsson made in Denmark in the 1950s. This high quality lounge ch...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Folke Ohlsson

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Folke Ohlsson for Dux of Sweden Seat Sofa in Teak
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Folke Ohlsson for Dux of Sweden, sofa, teak, fabric, Sweden, 1960s A beautiful and rare sofa designed by Folke Ohlsson in the 1960s. This three seat sofa has a stunning teak frame, ...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Folke Ohlsson

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Mid Century Danish Modern Folke Ohlsson Sofa
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Tulsa, OK
**Please Read Entire Description** Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relating to condition. Please read all the way down through this entire description box to view the entire description of the item. Please keep in mind that these are 40-75 year old items and will have some expected normal wear. We strive to represent our items well, and most of these items are in above average vintage condition. Noticeable flaws will be represented in the listing pictures and the text but we cannot describe or picture every small scratch, ding, or area of slight wear. Once delivered, furniture CANNOT be refused, returned, or refunded unless damage has occurred in the shipping process. Our shipper takes care to wrap each item and pack it safely therefore we have rarely had any issues with damage in transit. All items must be picked up within 3 weeks of order if buyer secures his own shipper. Shipping usually requires 3-6 weeks delivery through our shipping contacts and is only available in the continental US for large furniture items. Some smaller items are available to be shipped internationally through USPS/UPS. * * * Mid Century Danish Modern Folke Ohlsson Colorado...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Folke Ohlsson

Materials

Teak, Upholstery

Folke Ohlsson Designed Sofa for Dux
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long mid-century sofa by Folke Ohlsson for Dux with three wide seats, set on teak wood base. Attractive modern design features a slopping back that flows down ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Folke Ohlsson

Materials

Fabric

Folke Ohlsson Designed Sofa for Dux
Folke Ohlsson Designed Sofa for Dux
H 25 in W 89.5 in D 34 in
Pair of Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chairs in COM/COL
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A pair of vintage mid-century Folke Ohlsson for DUX lounge chairs with teak wood frame and upholstered seat. Priced as a pair (two chairs). Price includes custom re-upholstery in CO...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Folke Ohlsson

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Teak

Scandinavian Modern "Frisco" Coffee Table by Folke Ohlsson
By Tingströms, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Vienna, AT
Hard wood frame with tabletop. Designed in the early 1960s by Folke Ohlsson for Bra-Bohag /Tingströms Sweden. Good vintage original condition.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Folke Ohlsson

Materials

Hardwood

Browse all Furniture from Folke Ohlsson
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Creators Similar to Folke Ohlsson

More Folke Ohlsson Designs
Folke Ohlsson Profil
Folke Ohlsson Profil
Average Price
$4,768
Number Available
4
Folke Ohlsson Profil
By Folke Ohlsson
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Hardwood, Upholstery
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Folke Ohlsson Pasadena
Folke Ohlsson Pasadena
Average Price
$2,857
Number Available
4
Folke Ohlsson Pasadena
By Folke Ohlsson
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Fabric, Teak
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
Shop All

Folke Ohlsson furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Folke Ohlsson furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Folke Ohlsson furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Folke Ohlsson were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Dux of Sweden, Yngve Ekström, and Alf Svensson. Prices for Folke Ohlsson furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $807 and can go as high as $15,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,504.

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