Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Finnish, 1914-1999
During the mid-20th century, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked with pine, teak and his country’s native birch to create sleek and sculptural chairs, dining room tables and bookcases in the Scandinavian modern style. Tapiovaara’s areas of expertise expanded beyond furniture to include interior architecture, wooden sculptures, film posters and cutlery.
After completing his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, Tapiovaara embarked on a design career that would envelop his entire life. As a young man, Tapiovaara idolized revered architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto — whom, with his wife, Aino Aalto, cofounded Artek, the company that would eventually manufacture the majority of Tapiovaara’s creations. The budding designer had one of Aalto’s chairs in his apartment while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as an assistant in an office at Le Corbusier, then as a designer and artistic director at Asko.
By 1951, Tapiovaara and his wife, Annikki, had established their own studio. A few years previous, the pair had designed the now-legendary Domus chair while creating interiors and furnishings for a new student housing complex in Helsinki. Made of molded plywood and easily stackable, the ergonomic Domus chair, with its slender form, featured a modest silhouette — its lightweight structure allowed for easy exporting, and iconic mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Knoll added a low-backed version to its offerings in the early 1950s. (It was marketed as the Finn chair in the United States.)
Tapiovaara went on to design pieces for Pihlgren ja Ritola and Santa and Cole. His experience earned him teaching positions at the Institute of Applied Arts, the Helsinki University of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology. While in Chicago for the latter, he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Tapiovaara centered his passion for design on social responsibility. He wanted his creations to be accessible to everyone, which was the concept behind his democratic approach. In Finland’s postwar era, the goal was exemplary, affordable designs. With this in mind, he created products such as stackable chairs and “knock-down” pieces packed flat, so they shipped efficiently and cost less.
An influential champion of his profession, he spent two decades as a United Nations ambassador, working to improve design’s contribution to society. His lasting, collectible furniture is a testament to the designer’s goal to create humane, radiant and intimate spaces. The United Nations project included traveling to Paraguay to create much-needed furniture. A similar project followed in Mauritius.
Tapiovaara’s success as an industrial and mass producer of everyday furniture was widely recognized and awarded. He received six gold medals for his chairs alone at the Milan Triennials. He also accepted a Good Design award, the Finnish State Design Award, a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation and the Furniture Prize of the SIO Interior Architects’ Association of Finland.
Find vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, tables and lighting on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Ilmari Tapiovaara
Set of 6 Scandinavian Solid Beechwood Chairs from the 60's Ilmari Tapiovaara, G
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Lyon, FR
Set of 6 Scandinavian vintage chairs by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara dating from the 60s. Beechwood structure, backs and seats have been painted black (original paint). Very ni...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Beech
Scandinavian Modern Vintage Black Teak Rocking Chair Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1950s
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian Modern vintage rocking chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko 1950s, Finland.
A wonderful rocking chair from black lacquered beech and natural brown teak with comfortable armrests.
Ideal for a fireplace as a cosy chair...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Beech, Teak
1970's Ilmari Tapiovaara ''Tapiolina'' Chairs
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of ash wood ‘’Tapiolina’’ chairs by the Finish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara for Fratelli Montina. Italy, 1970s.
Ilmari Tapiovaara’s work is characterized by the most radical functionalism. He studied in Helsinki fine Arts School and by working with Aalto (whose influence is present in all of his work) and Le Corbusier, He learned how to produce Beautiful and Fair designed...
Category
1970s Italian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Ash
Pair of Ilmari Tapiovaara Dining Chairs
By Edsby-verken, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Vienna, AT
Birch construction with bent teak seat. Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1955 for Edsby-verken in Sweden.
Perfect vintage condition.
Signed Edsby.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Birch, Teak
20th Century Ilmari Tapiovaara Set of 8 Chairs in Ashwood for Fratelli Montina
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Montina
Located in Turin, Turin
Finnish Ilmari Tapiovaara, was one of the greatest designers of the twentieth century, a leading exponent of post-war Scandinavian design. Gifted with e...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood
Tapiolina Chairs in Ash Wood by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Fratelli Montina
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in London, England
Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999) was a renowned Finnish designer and architect known for his significant contributions to the fields of furniture and industrial design. He played a crucial role in shaping the modern design landscape in Finland and gained international recognition for his work.
Early in his career, Tapiovaara worked alongside the celebrated Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto. This collaboration greatly influenced his design sensibilities and helped him establish a strong foundation in modernist design principles.
Tapiovaara is often associated with the "Finnish Modern" design movement, which aimed to create functional and aesthetically pleasing everyday objects for the Finnish population. He believed that good design should be accessible to everyone. His designs often incorporated natural materials, simplicity, and functionality.
Tapiolina chairs in ash wood by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Fratelli Montina...
Category
1970s Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Metal
Set of 6 Fanett Dining Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1949
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Roma, IT
Fanett dining chairs is a mid-century set chairs manufactured in 1949 by Ilmari Tapiovaara.
Set of 6 wooden chairs, teak seat, feet and back ...
Category
1940s Finnish Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood
Finnish Design Pirrka Stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Artek, Finland
By Artek, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Renens, CH
Pirrka Series stool in pine produced by Artek, Finland.
Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914) was a Finnish interior and design furniture, during his long career that started with designing furniture at Asko for the Finnish Army, he has worked together with several of the known designers of his age such as Alvar Alto and Le Corbusier.
Tapiovaara is considered one of the Nordic countries’ most influential designers, on par with Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen and Alvar Aalto.
Materials: Pine
Origination: Finland, 2000s. Most stools are labelled "Artek".
Condition: Good, note that all stools...
Category
Early 2000s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Cast Iron and Oak Stools, Finland 1960's
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic pair of cast iron and oak stools, the bases are solid iron with a dimpled motif while the top are solid oak, the design bears similarity to a Perriand model for Les Arcs.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Iron
Danish Design Rocking Chair Ilmari Tapiovaara Model Fanett Scandinavian, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Mid-Century rocking chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for the 60's.
Made in Finland, very comfortable!.
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood
Mademoiselle chairs by Ilamari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian design icon of the 1950s/60s.
This chair model was manufactured by Edsbyverken, as indicated by the stamp of authenticity.
It features a beech wood frame with a curved ...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Birch
Congo Chair in Birch by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Hellouw, NL
Nice Congo chair in Birch by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko 1960s. This smart construction consists of two parts that are put together without any screws and can be easily shipped or sto...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Birch
Ilmari Tapiovaara Domus Armchair
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy
Located in Highland, IN
A wonderful 1946 design by Ilmari Tapiovaara, the Domus chair was offered entirely of wood, with an upholstered seat, or an upholstered seat and back. This nice example, has beautifu...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Leather, Beech
Scandinavian Dining Room Set by Ilmari Tapiovaara 1950s Swedish Design F274
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Lyon, FR
Beautiful Scandinavian dining room set by Finnish designer Ilmani Tapiovaara from the 1950s for Laukaan Puu. It is composed of a dining table and four chairs model "Pikka". The struc...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of Large ‘Tale’ Stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Rare early pair of 'Tale' stools by by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland circa 1953. Exceptional (and surprisingly) large stools in a fantastic 'freeform'. The stools are made of a...
Category
20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Birch
Set of Three "Pirkka" Stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Artek, Finland, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Artek
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of three stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, from the furniture line “Pirkka”. Cool, rounded design with pine seats and black lacquered legs.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Pine
Mid Century Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous form and comfort. Designed by Tapiovaara, circa 1962. Rigid aluminum chair frame has three positions, seat lifts off frame for repositioning. Arms have flexibility, and are covered in leather. Ottoman size 22 W x 20 L x 12 H, and is original. Leather is worn and has some tears. Needs Restoration
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Aluminum
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu Set of Four 'Pirkka' Chairs
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, set of four 'Pirkka' dining chairs, beech, pine, Finland, design 1955
This set of ‘Pirkka’ chairs by Finish designer I...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Beech, Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Prototype Congo Folding Chair Finland 1954
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Camden, ME
Congo folding chair designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1954 manufactured by Lukkiseppo Ltd. in Finland.
This prototype of the Congo chair comes from the estate of Ilmari Tapiovaara.
...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Metal, Steel
Set of Three Domus Armchairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finland
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of three wooden chairs designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, produced in 1953 by Keravan Puuteollisuus of Finland for U.S. distribution by Knoll.
The seat is re-upholstered in camel...
Category
1950s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Ilmari Tapiovaara “Pirkka” Bench for Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A wonderful bench from the “Pirkka” series, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Laukaan Puu, circa 1950.
The narrow rectangular top / seat of the bench are made of d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Metal
Set of 7 'Fanett' Dining Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Edsby Verken
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Edsby-verken
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 7 'Fanett' dining chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Edsby Verken.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood
Ilmari Tapiovaara Wooden Domus Armchair, Green Faux Leather, Finland 1950's
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Den Haag, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara Domus Armchair, Finland 1950's
Early edition with it's original green faux leather upholstery.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Faux Leather, Wood
Rare Ilmari Tapiovaara Congo Lounge Chair
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Hagafors Stolfabrik 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, manufactured by Hagafors, Sweden. Solid wood construction with black lacquer. Newley upholstered in blue leather.
Two part knock down construction. Ne...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of 6 "Pirkka" Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in San Francisco, CA
A set of 6 "Pirkka" chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara
A set of Ilmari Tapiovaara design dining chairs, from the series "Pirkka". The sculptural design, is made in pine and black lacquered...
Category
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of Red Midcentury Lounge Chairs Model “2468” Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finland
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Barcelona, ES
Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999)
Pair of lounge chairs model “2468”
Manufactured by Laukaan Puu
Finland, 1959
Black lacquered wood and red woolen upholstery
Measurements:
70 c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood, Wool
Mademoiselle Rocking Chair Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1956 for Artek
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Artek
Located in Lejre, DK
The Mademoiselle rocking chair, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1956 for Artek, is an iconic piece of furniture that exudes elegance and si...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Birch
Ilmari Tapiovaara, `Pirkka` Stools 4 Pieces, 1970s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Stockholm, SE
Four stools, model Pirkka designed by Imari Tapiovaara, Finland, 1970s.
Dining set also available, 4 pieces. See last two pictures.
Category
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood
Rocking Chair Tapiovaara Model Fanett Scandinavian, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Lyon, FR
Finland rocking chair by Tapiovaara
Model Fanett, 1960s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Beech
Rocking Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, 1950s
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Vienna, AT
Black lacquered beech structure seating in blond wood, designed in the late 1950s by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland. Traces of use on the armrests and on the footrest.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka Stool for Laukaan Puu
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pirkka stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Designed for Laukaan Puu in 1957, stamped.
Three available sold separately.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka Stool for Laukaan Puu, 1950s
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Munich, DE
Ilmari Tapiovaara designed the Pirkka stool in the 1950s. The black legs and seats in oak result in a timeless finnish design. This Pirkka stool is made b...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Oak
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Pair of "Pirkka", Lacquered and Solid Pine, Finland, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of early production modernist "Pirkka" stools. Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, and produced by Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950s.
With manufacturers stamp. In finely sculpted organ...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara, "Tale" Stools, Painted Birch, Plywood, Finland, 1953
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black painted birch and plywood "Tale" stools designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and produced by Eero, Finland, 1953.
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Birch, Plywood
Rare Set of 4 Tapiovaara Congo Lounge Chairs
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Munich, DE
Made by Hagafors / Sweden. Two in natural wood, clear lacquered. One with removed lacquer and one lacquered black. All with various signs of use. Two part knock down construction.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood
Tapiovaara "High Back Lounge Chair" for Domus Academy 1948 Signed Keravan Puuteo
By Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in London, GB
Surprisingly comfortable.
The Tapiovaara's couple produced this leather and plywood armchair in 1948 for the Domus Academy Student complex in Helsinki in Finland.
It was produced by...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Leather, Plywood
Set of Four Swivel Chairs by Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Set of four swivel dining chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Hob nailed patinated steel base supports fully leather upholstered swivel chair seat. Perfect...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Steel
Set of 6 Ilmari Tapiovaara Pine High Back Pine Chairs for Laukaan
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice set of 6 pine high back dining chairs by IImari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1960's. In good original condition, with nice golden patina and wear that is consistent with ...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Set of Twelve Dining Chairs by Permanente Mobili Cantù 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
Set of twelve dining chairs with wooden frame, seat and back in leather designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and produced by La Permanente Mobili Cantù in 1950s.
This set of chairs presen...
Category
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Set of Three "Wilmas Chair", Ilmari Tapiovaara, Wilhelm Schaumann Oy, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, FI
Set of three "Wilmas chair", designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1956. Manufactured by Schaumann´s Plywood Factory in 1960s. The chair has a classic Ilmari Tapiovaara design with bentwo...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 6 'Fanett' Dining Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Edsby Verken, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 6 'Fanett' dining chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Edsby Verken, 1960s.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Chair Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finland, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Praha, CZ
- Comfortable
- Rare model.
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Lulu' Chairs
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Lulu' chairs.
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Brass
Set of Four Rare Tapiovaara Chairs from The Marski Hotel
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in London, GB
Four chairs designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for his Marski hotel in central Helsinki. Only ever made for the hotel, this "Lulu" chair and the larger "Dumbo" chair a...
Category
20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Seating
Materials
Brass
Ilmari Tapiovaara seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Ilmari Tapiovaara seating 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 Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 102 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating by Ilmari Tapiovaara were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Yrjö Kukkapuro, Tapio Wirkkala, and Artek. Prices for Ilmari Tapiovaara seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $384 and can go as high as $26,700, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,625.
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