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.
A Superb 20thC Set Of Eight Ilmari Tapiovaara Leather Dining Chairs c.1950
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb 20th Century set of eight dining chairs by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara for Permanente Cantu, dating from the 1950s. The hardwood frame supports a comfortable leather ...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Italian Set of 4 Leather D Dining Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian set of 4 cognac leather and dark beech wood dining chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for La Permanente Mobili Cantù. The chairs are in really good vintage condi...
Leather, Beech
$382Sale Price / item|20% Off
Dining chairs by Ilmari Tapivaara 1970s 1 of 4
By Stol Kamnik, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Dining chairs in wood colour 1970s by STOL KAMNIK. Nice vintage set of four beautiful chairs. Pictures talk of quality.
Hardwood
$1,265Sale Price|20% Off
Scandinavian Fannet Spindle Chairs by Tapiovaara w/ Curved Teak Seats 60s - 4pcs
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Basel, BS
Set of four Fannet dining chairs designed in the 1960s by the Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara. These feature the RARE curved seated in teak and 7 spindles. Beautiful design. The ...
Birch, Teak
$1,190Sale Price / set|22% Off
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.
Birch, Teak
Ilmari Tapiovaara Set of 3 Stacking Rare Wilman Chairs Scandinavian Modern
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Set of 3 rare stackable Wilman chairs designed in 1956 by renowned Finnish designer, Ilmari Tapiovaara, and manufactured in Finland by Wilhelm Schauman Fanerfabrik. These innovative...
Wood, Paint
$15,000 / set
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...
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Four "Pirkka" Dining Chairs for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Utrecht, NL
These “Pirkka” dining chairs are a beautiful example of Finnish modern design. Ilmari Tapiovaara triumphantly won several golden medals during the 1950s at the Milan Triennale for hi...
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...
Metal
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...
Beech, Pine
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.
Faux Leather, Wood
20th Century, Ilmari Tapiovaara Set of Six Wooden Chairs, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
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 extraordinary talent, he became...
Fabric, Wood
Ilmari Tapiovaara Pedestal/Swivel Chair. Cast iron Base.
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Illmari Taapiovaara Designed This chair in the mid 1960's in Finland. It is from his CARIBE Series. The Pedestal Chair Swivels. The Upholstered Seat and Back are in Black Belgium ...
Iron
ASKO Dining Chair Scandinavian Pine Ilmari Tapiovaara, Set of 4
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Munich, Bavaria
ASKO Dining Chair design by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Scandinavian pine wood. Great dining chairs in a solid wood frame - Clear dfinnish design. Height 78 cm Width 45 cm Depth 44 cm Seat ...
Pine
Scandinavian Dining Room Set by Ilmari Tapiovaara 1950s Swedish Design F274
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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...
Pine
Set of 6 Scandinavian Solid Beechwood Chairs from the 60's Ilmari Tapiovaara, G
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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...
Beech
$2,750 / set
1950S, Set of Four Prikka Chairs by Tapiovaara
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Four Pirkka chairs with seats of birch wood. The chairs show some traces of use and they diver slightly in dimensions. The chair on the first five pictures has a spot of white pai...
Wood
Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Lars Gangsø, Denmark, 1970s
By Gangsø Møbler
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Set of six Danish dining chairs, labeled Lars Gangsø – Made in Denmark, dating from the 1970s. Each chair features a sculptural curved backrest that flows seamlessly into the arm sup...
Textile, Wood
$3,600 / set
H 42.13 in W 18.12 in D 17.33 in
Set of 8 1970s Italian Dining chairs by Pietro Costantini
By Pietro Costantini
Located in London, Lambeth
Set of 8 dining with a distinctive sculptural style piano black lacquered frame.Rich black Leather seat pads.Italian 1970s
Leather
$3,595 / set
H 31 in W 22 in D 20 in
Set of 6 Early 20thC Firehouse Windsor Oak & Walnut Dining Chairs C1910
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic set of 6 firehouse windsor armchairs in walnut and oak. Refinished and looking great, all nice and tight. Wide and comfy built to last. Priced and sold as a set of six. Hav...
Oak, Walnut
Ilmari Tapiovaara Crinolette Lounge Chair
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An exceptional iconic chair designed by Finnish Master Ilmari Tapiovaara. A rare example of Scandinavian design. Less than 5000 of these chairs were ever created. Winner of the Ame...
Wood
Scandinavian Modern Teak Bench with Seat, Italy 60s
Located in Lucija, SI
Nice Scandinavian modern entrance bench with seat. Made in Italy in the late 60s
Faux Leather, Teak
$3,588 / set
H 40.56 in W 21.26 in D 19.3 in
Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern Italian Walnut Wood Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern set of 6 dining chairs, with greatly shaped wooden structure and upholstered seat. The unique and typical design, with the clean geometric sha...
Fabric, Wood
$4,545 / set
H 32.68 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Italian 60s Designer Dining Chairs by Piero Palange and Werther Toffoloni, 6 pcs
By Werther Toffoloni and Piero Palange, Montina
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian 60s Designer Dining Chairs by Piero Palange and Werther Toffoloni, 6 pcs Six chairs, Mod. 993, designed by Piero Palange and Werther Toffoloni for Montina in the 1960s, Ita...
Leather, Wood
$2,511
H 29.53 in W 18.51 in D 17.72 in
Set of 4 Teak Dining Chairs by C. Linneberg & B. Pedersen, 1970s
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son, Christian Linnebergs Møbelfabrik
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Looking for some fresh and crisp Danish elements in your house? A set of 4 newly upholstered teak chairs in petrol blue wool that forms a good contrast with the very warm brown wood....
Fabric, Teak
Set of four pine dining chairs by Daumiller, 1970s
By Rainer Daumiller
Located in Hilversum, NL
Designed by Richard Daumiller and produced around 1970, this set of four pieces is crafted from solid untreated pinewood and is in beautiful, original condition.
Pine
$4,186 / set
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 19.3 in
Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern Italian Walnut Wood Newly Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful and stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern set of 6 dining chairs, with greatly worked and shaped wooden structure and newly white fabric re-upholstered seat and back. The uniq...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Dining Chairs by Mario Sabot Set of 6, 1970s
By Mario Sabot
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 rare dining chairs by Mario Sabot.. The chairs have a beautifully shaped frames and come with newly upholstered fabric seats. Good condition. 1970s - Italy Dimensions: H...
Bentwood, Fabric
Model Domus Chairs, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finland, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model Domus chairs (6 pieces, sold separately), design Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finland, 1950s. Birch frame with later reupholstered wool fabric. Good vintage condition, patina consistent ...
Fabric, Wool, Birch
Ilmari Tapiovaara Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, darkened beech and patinated cognac leather, Finland, 1950s. These robust chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara feature a geometric frame for...
Leather, Beech
Set of 14 Early 'Domus' Armchairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Olga
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Waalwijk, NL
This listing is created for Olga. Set op 14 'Domus' armchairs, in beech, by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finland, 1953. Large set of early Domus armchairs. The frame is made from solid beec...
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
Dining Chairs By Ilmari Tapiovaara Circa 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Gloucester, GB
Dining Chairs By Ilmari Tapiovaara Circa 1960s - Price is for the set of 6 - Black frames with teak seats - Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara - Produced by Asko - Finnish ~ 1960s - 43cm...
Beech, Teak
Sold
H 35.44 in W 18.9 in D 22.84 in
Set of 8 Ilmari Tapiovaara dining chairs for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1960s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Ilmari Tapiovaara for La Permanente Mobili Cantù in cognac leather, Italy, 1960s. Stunning complete set of 8 chairs. These beautiful chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara feature a nice beech...
Leather, Beech
Sold
H 29.53 in W 17.72 in D 16.54 in
Vintage Hongisto Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Set of Five
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Rochester, England
The Vintage Hongisto Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu are a classic example of mid-century modern design. This set of five chairs offers both style and functionality, feat...
Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 18.9 in D 22.84 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara Dining Chairs For La Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1960s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Ilmari Tapiovaara for La Permanente Mobili Cantù in cognac leather, Italy, 1960s These beautiful chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara feature a nice beech frame which is designed without any...
Leather, Beech
IImari Tapiovaara "Pirkka" dining chairs
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in BE
These chairs were made in Finland in the 50's. It was designed by wellknown designer Ilmari Tapiovaara. He designed these chairs for for Laukaan Puu Finland. These chairs are a early...
Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 18.9 in D 22.84 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara Dining Chairs by La Permanente Cantù, 1950s, Set of Six
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Step into the timeless elegance of mid-century Italian craftsmanship with this impeccable set of six Ilmari Tapiovaara dining chairs, meticulously crafted by La Permanente Cantù circ...
Leather, Beech
Set of 4 1970s Italian Tapiolina Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Toronto, CA
Strongly influenced by Alvar Aalto and Le Corbusier, Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara’s work is characterized by radical functionalism. His solid ash wood ‘’Tapiolina’’ chairs...
Wood
Single Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan High Back Pine Chair
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid pine high back dining chair by IImari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1960's. In good original condition, wear consistent its with age and use.
Pine
Set of Four Model Domus Chairs, Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Set of four model Domus chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara from the 1950s. Birch and birch plywood. The seats have been repainted. Good vintage condition, minor patina and wear consistent w...
Birch, Plywood
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 ...
Pine