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 Dux Swedish Modern Teak Accent Dining Armchairs
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
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
$7,000 / set
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs in teak by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s. Excellent vintage condition with signs of usage and patina.
Teak
$3,600Sale Price|38% Off
Mid-Century Modern Four-Seat Sofa by Folke Ohlsson & Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1960
By Fritz Hansen, Folke Ohlsson
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
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
'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
2 person DUX Sofa Made In Light Wool By Folke Ohlsson For Fritz Hansen
By Folke Ohlsson, Fritz Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
The two-seater DUX sofa in light wool, designed by Folke Ohlsson and produced by Fritz Hansen, represents a fusion of form, function and finesse. Folke Ohlsson, a prominent Swedish f...
Wool
Swedish Lounge Chair USA-143 by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing the exquisite mid-century modern lounge chair, expertly designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX in Sweden, dating back to the iconic 1950s. This particular piece, known as mode...
Fabric, Oak
1960's Dux Swedish Modern Sculpted Walnut Accent Chair by Folke Ohlsson
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in West Chester, PA
Mid-Century Modern Dux Sculpted Walnut Chair by Folke Ohlsson reupholstered at some point in a woven abstract fabric as pictured. Circa 1960's un...
Upholstery, Walnut
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
Folke Ohlsson for Dux Recliner and Lounge Chair
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Pasadena, TX
This recliner doubles as a lounge chair. It has a lever on its right side that adjust the chair. The legs and base are made of solid teak. This chair was designed by Folke Ohlsson f...
Teak
Peter Lovig Nielsen Desk + Folke Ohlsson Armchair, 1960s, Scandinavian Design
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Desk, Denmark, circa 1960s. Designed by Peter Lovig Nielsen, this model is known as the Boomerang Desk because of its slightly curved top. Our model is constructed of oiled teak with...
Metal
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
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
Scandinavian Modern Scissor Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
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
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
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
"Monterey" armchair by Folke Ohlsson, Sweden, 1962
By Bodafors, Folke Ohlsson
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
1950s Model 4410 Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair for Fritz Hansen
By Folke Ohlsson, Fritz Hansen
Located in Sacramento, CA
1960s Model 4410 lounge chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen, Denmark. Swedish designer Folke Ohlsson produced this striking lounge chair, model 4410, and ottoman for Dan...
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
$7,584 / set
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Teak
Vintage Mid-Century Danish Modern Brown 3-Seater Sofa by Folke Ohlsson for F.H.
By Folke Ohlsson, Fritz Hansen
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
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
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Dux Leather Sofa by Folke Ohlsson
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Pasadena, TX
8ft four-seat dux leather sofa by Folke Ohlsson Sweden, 1960s Danish modern sofa upholstered in tan and black grass cloth Black leather detachab...
Leather
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