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.
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs in walnut by Folke Ohlsson, produced by DUX, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Elongated Four Seat Sofa by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Wilmington, DE
Exceptional mid-century Danish Modern four-seat sofa designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX. This generously proportioned sofa features Ohlsson’s characteristic Scandinavian modern aesthe...
Upholstery
Rare "Horn" Accent Armchair in Beech by Folke Ohllson for DUX, Sweden, c. 1950s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare "horn" chair designed by the influential Folke Ohlsson for the Swedish firm DUX. Recently and meticulously restored this sculptural chair, made from solid beech wo...
Beech
Swedish teak armchair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage Scandinavian armchair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX in teak with Vienna straw back and ice gray fabric cushions. Scandinavian teak armchair with Vienna straw back designed by Fol...
Teak, Fabric
Swedish Vintage Armchair by Folke Ohlsson for Dux
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely comfortable Swedish vintage armchair by Folke Ohlsson for Dux. This is an early model dating from the 1950’s, we have recently imported this from Sweden. It ...
Bouclé, Beech
$2,246Sale Price|25% Off
Scandinavian Modern Scissor Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome and iconic Scandinavian Modern Scissor lounge chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX. It is in wonderful vintage condition. The wood frame has been restored; however, there may still be small signs of age. We did have to fill some rather deep flaws in the wood. The straps have been replaced with appropriate new straps. And the foam cushions are new and newly upholstered. Please see photos, circa 1950s. Now you can get all your DUX in a row!! Sorry, I couldn’t resist. This is the iconic and beautiful Scissor Lounge Chair. It was designed by Folke Ohlsson for his company DUX, Inc. purportedly in 1949. It is so incredible in its simplicity and when viewed from the side you can see immediately where it got its name. We are very excited about this wonderful chair here at our shop. Its walnut frame has been completely restored and we have replaced all the straps, which were beyond repair, with proper strapping. Plus, we have made new foam cushions and upholstered them in a fabulous black and taupe horizontal stripe fabric. Folke Ohlsson is a Scandinavian Modern Swedish furniture...
Fabric, Walnut
Rare "Horn" Desk / Accent Armchair in Beech, Folke Ohllson, DUX, Sweden, 1950s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare "horn" chair designed by the influential Folke Ohlsson for the Swedish firm DUX. Recently and meticulously restored this sculptural chair, made from solid beech wo...
Beech
Expertly Restored - Folke Ohlsson Model “Tema 1” Beechwood Sofa for Dux
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Beechwood, New Tweed Fabric, New High-Density Foam, New Rubber Pirelli Straps ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Beech
Swedish Modern Teak Stool by Folke Ohlsson for Dux
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Teak Wood, New Tweed Fabric, New Webbing, New High Density Foam ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bring...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Teak
Expertly Restored-Swedish Modern Boucle & Leather Stool by Folke Ohlsson for Dux
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut-Stained Beechwood, New Tweed Fabric, Brass Sabots, Leather Buttons, New Webbing, New High Density Foam ________________________________________ Transforming a piec...
Brass
Swedish Modern Duxello Wing Back Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Hanover, MA
Duxello wingback lounge chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX of Sweden. This was one of his early designs, dating to 1955. The wings have such a dramatic profile along with the ti...
Beech
1950s Danish "USA 143" Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for P Jeppesens
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A rare "USA 143" chair by Swedish designer Folke Ohlsson for Danish makers P Jeppesens. In beech with burgundy leather upholstery, this early 1950s chair is a beautiful example of S...
Brass
Vintage Fritz Hansen Armchair in Off White Wool by Folke Ohlsson
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Lounge chair number designed by Swedish Architect Folke Ohlsson in 1959 and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark during the 1960s. This particular version features off white/ sand...
Wool, Beech
Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair by DUX
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Highland, IN
Classic Scandinavian Modern by the founder of DUX in the United States– Folke Ohlsson. This lovely lounge chair has a beech frame with sculpted arms that supports loose cushions newl...
Upholstery, Birch
“Monterey” Sofa by Folke Ohlsson for Bodafors, 1962
By Bodafors, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Brescia, IT
Swedish oak sofa with removable cushions that have recently been reupholstered in a light-colored fabric. Original Bodafors brand. Folke Ohlsson, 1962. Designed by Folke Ohlsson, th...
Fabric, Oak
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs by Folke Ohlsson, produced by DUX, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Walnut
Pair of Arm Chairs by Folke Ohllson for Dux, Sweden, Circa 1960s
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of armchairs upholstered in leather, by Folke Ohllson, for Dux, Sweden, circa 1960s.
Leather, Birch
Folke Ohlson Rare Model "Ascot" Oak Armchair a pair by DUX, Sweden, 1960
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare model by Folke Ohlsson, a pair of 'Ascot' armchairs made in light color natural Oak, for DUX Sweden, 1960s. Very comfortable model with a solid oak frame . Upholstered back and...
Oak
Vintage Mid-Century Danish Modern Brown 3-Seater Sofa by Folke Ohlsson for F.H.
By Fritz Hansen, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
The icon of Scandinavian modernism. This three-seater sofa, model 0765, was designed by Folke Ohlsson – one of the most important representatives of 20th-century Swedish design, reno...
Textile, Wood
$3,600Sale Price|38% Off
Mid-Century Modern Four-Seat Sofa by Folke Ohlsson & Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1960
By Folke Ohlsson, Fritz Hansen
Located in Deland, FL
Attention designers and creatives! This exceptional Danish sofa designed by Folke Ohlsson & Fritz Hansen is need of new upholstery and we want to leave it up to you to choose the fab...
Maple
$2,866Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Folke Ohlsson Armchair 4410 in Leatherette, Denmark
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use - Leatherette in good original condition with some signs of use - Polished and cleaned
Faux Leather
"Monterey" armchair by Folke Ohlsson, Sweden, 1962
By Folke Ohlsson, Bodafors
Located in Brescia, IT
Armchair model "Monterey" designed by Folke Ohlsson and produced by Bodafors in 1962. Oak frame and reupholstered cushions. "Monterey" armchair designed by Folke Ohlsson and manufac...
Oak
'Colorado' by Folke Olsson for Bodafors, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchair in walnut by Folke Ohlsson for Bodafors, produced 1960. Seat cushion in black leather.
Walnut
Midcentury Lounge Chair, Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Teak
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Belmont, MA
Midcentury teak lounge chair with curved back. This iconic chair was designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX (Model 72-C). It was made in Sweden and dates back to ...
Teak
Set of 2 "Horn" Accent Armchairs by Folke Ohllson for DUX, Sweden, c. 1950s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare set of two "horn" chairs designed by the influential Folke Ohlsson for the Swedish firm DUX. Recently and meticulously restored this sculptural chair set, made fro...
Beech
Pair of Dux Swedish Modern Teak Accent Dining Armchairs
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Kensington, MD
Gracious & pleasing lines comprise the frame of this pair of Swedish Modern arm chairs. Designed by Folke Ohlsson for Dux. Use as occasional...
Upholstery, Teak