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.
Vintage ‘Tale’ Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Tale stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland. Stool was designed around 1953. This was part of a short run of reiditions produced around 2000. Nice fr...
Birch
Mid-Century Pirkka Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Hamburg, DE
Original Pirkka Stool from Laukaan Puu after a design by Ilmari Tapiovaara from the 1950s. This is an original Tapiovaara … Read more Original Pirkka Stool from Laukaan Puu after a d...
Wood
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Pair of "Pirkka", Lacquered and Solid Pine, Finland, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of organic pine "Pirkka" stools. Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, and produced by Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950s. With manufacturers stamp. Stools present with moderate areas of w...
Pine
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...
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Stool, Pine, Finland, 1950s
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and black-painted wood stool designed by Ilmari Tapivaara and produced by Laukaan Puu OY, Finland, c. 1950s. Seat height: 13"
Pine
Pirkka Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Pine Seat, Black Legs, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Berlin, DE
Pirkka stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu. Features a sculpted pine seat with signature central split and black lacquered birch legs. Branded stamps on the underside confirm ...
Pine
Tapiovaraa Pine Stool, Denmark 1960's
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in New York, NY
Slat stool in solid oak with interesting details and construction.
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Stool Model Pirkka, Designed for Laukaan Puu, 1957
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pirkka stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Designed for Laukaan Puu in 1957.
Wood
Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka Stools, Pinewood with Black Legs, 1955
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful stools designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1955 in pinewood and black lacquered dowel legs, marked. Priced individually.
Pine
Pair of Model Pirkka Stools, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950s
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pair of model Pirkka stools, design Ilmari Tapiovaara, manufactured by Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950s. Pine seat, painted wood legs. Marked. Good vintage condition, patina consistent wi...
Wood, Pine, Paint
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...
Oak
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Pirkka Stool, Laukaan Puu, Finland 1950s.
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Pirkka stool, Ilmari Tapiovaara. Manufactured by Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950s. Pine seat, painted wood legs. Good vintage condition.
Pine
An Ilmari Tapiovaara Tale Stool with Form-Pressed Plywood Seat, Asko 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Helsinki, FI
A stuningly beautiful stool with a very aerodynamic look that it gives a flying seat illusion. As is the case with most of Tapiovaara's stools, this one is also 3-legged as it is nev...
Birch, Plywood
Pirkka Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pirkka Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, c.1950s, Finland. This pine stool features a dark stained rectangular seat and four splayed legs. Dimensions 17" width x 12.25" d...
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Tale Stool with Form-Pressed Plywood Seat, Asko 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Helsinki, FI
A stunningly beautiful stool with a very aerodynamic look that it gives a flying seat illusion. As is the case with most of Tapiovaara's stools, this one is also 3-legged as it is ne...
Birch, Plywood
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Pirrka Stool, Pine, Finland, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered pine "Pirrka" stool designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and produced by Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950s. Dimensions (inches): 16.625” H x 17.125” W x 14” D Seat Height (inc...
Pine
Pirkka Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Espoo, FI
Pirkka stool, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, made by Laukaan Puu. Manufacturer's stamps on the base. The stool is in good used condition, normal wear and tear. The stool is from arou...
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara for ASKO – Pair of Original “Pirkka” Stools, Finland
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Staffanstorp, SE
A beautifully preserved and highly collectible pair of original Pirkka stools designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and produced by ASKO, Finland, circa 1959–1965. These are early, authentic...
Birch
$4,900 / set
Ilmari Tapiovaara Cast Iron and Oak Stools
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A really special set of four solid cast iron and oak stools by the Scandinavian master Ilmari Tapiovaara ca. 1965. These stools are incredibly well built and heavy. Thick oak sol...
Iron
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.
Wood
Set of Three "Pirkka" Stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Artek, Finland, 1950s
By Artek, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Set of three stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, from the furniture line “Pirkka”. Cool, rounded design with pine seats and black lacquered legs.
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Model Lukki Stool for Artek Celebration Model, 2015
By Artek, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Ilmari Tapiovaara model Lukki stool for Artek, celebration model. Birch, beech and steel. Good vintage condition, minor wear consistent with age and use. Ilmari Tapiovaara design...
Steel
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. Only one is available.
Pine
Set of 3 Alvar Alto Stool 60 by Artek, Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Montclair, NY
Set of 3 vintage original vintage Alvar Alto 60 stools from early 1960s. From a private home with one owner who purchased them in the late 1950s. Two wit...
Bentwood, Birch
$2,573
H 12.6 in W 16.93 in D 11.03 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Stool Model Pirkka, Designed for Laukaan Puu, 1957
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pirkka stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Designed for Laukaan Puu in 1957.
Wood
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. Only one is available.
Pine
Rocking Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko 1960s Finland
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Debrecen, HU
A beautiful Scandinavian Modern rocking chair designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Asko in Finland during the 1960s. The tall spindle backrest and slender curved armrest...
Wood
$2,582 / set
H 29.53 in W 14.97 in D 15.36 in
Pair of Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka chairs, Laukaan Puu, Finland 1950s
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, FI
The iconic Pirkka chair was designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in the mid-1950s and produced by Laukaan Puu and later by Asko. It quickly became a favourite among modern furniture enthusi...
Pine
Model Domus Chair, Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model Domus chair, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1950s. Birch. The chair is refinished. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use. Yrjö Ilmari Tapiovaara wa...
Birch
Ilmari Tapiovaara ‘Pirkka’ Bench 180cm for Artek
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Tilburg, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara ‘Pirkka’ Bench for Artek. Designed in 1955. New, current production. Crafted entirely from solid wood, the Pirkka Bench combines a birc...
Wood
Early Bertel Gardberg Stool by Artek, Finland 1950s
By Bertel Gardberg, Artek
Located in Berlin, DE
A design classic from the Finnish manufacturer Artek, based on a 1950s design by silversmith and designer Bertel Gardberg. The stool was created for Villa Jouhki. A rare collectible...
Pine
Pine Sauna Stools for Finnsauna Lagerholm, Finland 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Sauna stools have been in use for centuries, predominantly in Japan and in Finland. While this form of furniture is mostly a utilitarian object, vintage sauna stools - like this set of four - from these countries are artisanal, beautiful pieces. From Antti Nurmesniemi’s sauna stool (which is part of the MoMA’s collection) to the Japanese Hinoki stools, these vintage wooden pieces are perhaps even more treasured today than in the 50s. Sauna stools are traditionally used as a perch while washing up in the bathhouse before entering the soaking tub. They also make good shower stools or bath-side caddies also because the woods used - pine in this case - are naturally bacteria- and mildew-resistant and withstand humidity well. Stools traditionally have a simple, functional construction, however, these Finnish stools have elaborately carved tops that move beyond the strictly functional role. The tops are composed of four interconnecting parts in a shape that resembles a Celtic knot. These individual parts are connected by two dowel pins to each other leaving the design airy and functional as water has an easy way to flow through. The legs are in a simple, slightly tapered form to support the sitter with similar dowel pins connecting them to the seats. These mid-century sauna stools were made for Finnsauna Lagerholm...
Pine
$1,163
H 38.19 in W 21.66 in D 37.01 in
Mademoiselle Rocking Chair Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1956 for Artek
By Artek, Ilmari Tapiovaara
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...
Birch
Bertel Gardberg 'Sauna' Stool in Solid Pine, Finland, 1950s
By Bertel Gardberg
Located in Prague, New Town
Finnish 'Sauna' stool, designed by Bertel Gardberg. Produced by Normark Finnmade in Finland, 1950s. Made entirely from solid pine. Dimensions: Height: 44 cm / 17.32 in Diameter: 36 ...
Pine
$456
H 17.13 in W 13.98 in D 13.78 in
Mid-century “Hongisto” stool attr. to Ilmari tapiovaara for laukaan puu
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Scandinavian Mid-Century - Brutalist Stool Designed attributed to Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland. Circa 1963. Measures : 35x35.5cm H:43,5cm Material : Solid pine. Floati...
Pine
Fanett Stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Edsby-verken
Located in Brescia, IT
Iconic Fanett stool designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Edsbyverken. Beech frame and teak veneer seat. Fanett stool designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Edsbyverken, Swed...
Beech, Teak
Pair of Fanett stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Edsby-verken
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of Fanett stools designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Edsbyverken. Beech frame and teak seat. Pair of Fanett stools designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Edsbyverken, ...
Beech, Teak
Pirkka stool Ilmari Tapiovaara for Artek 1950
By Artek, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Torino, IT
Pirkka stool Ilmari Tapiovaara for Artek 1950
Teak
Ilmari Tapiovaara, ‘Pirkka’ Chairs, 1955
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful side chairs designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1955 in dark stained pinewood and black lacquered dowel legs, marked. Priced individually.
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Stools, Birch, Plywood, Finland, 1953
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-painted birch plywood stools designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1953 and produced by Aero, Finland, c. 1990s. Patina and small losses present to lacquer. Dimensions: ...
Birch, Plywood
Sold
H 17.75 in W 16 in D 11 in
Vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka Stool in Pine and Birch – Laukaan Puu
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pirkka Stool, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu. Constructed with a combination of solid pine for the seat and birch for the legs, the stool showcases a contrast of mater...
Pine
Sold
H 16.93 in W 18.9 in D 14.97 in
Pair of 1960s Ebonized stools by Imari Tapiovaara for Hagafors Sweden
By Hagafors Stolfabrik 1, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful pair of ebonized stools, designed by Imari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Hagafors Sweden, dating from the 1960s. Beech wood stools with black ebonized finish. In good vi...
Beech
Set of 3 Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko Upholstered "Caribe" Bar Stools
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 3 Mid-Century (1950/60s) finished metal and beige vinyl upholstered "Caribe" bar stools with low backrest, curved seat, pierced foot support and signature machine textured rou...
Metal
Pair of Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko Upholstered "Caribe" Bar Stools
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Mid-Century (1950/60s) finished metal and plush blue upholstered fabric "Caribe" bar stools with low backrest, curved seat, pierced foot support and signature machine texture...
Fabric
Set of 4 Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko Upholstered "Caribe" Bar Stools
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 4 Mid-Century (1950/60s) finished metal and tan vinyl upholstered "Caribe" bar stools with low backrest, curved seat, pierced foot support and signature machine textured round...
Metal
Ilamari Tapiovaara Swiveling Stool / Chair
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Dallas, TX
A swiveling stool / chair with patinated base and original leather upholstery. Designed by Ilamari Tapiovaara.
Leather
Ilmari Tapiovaara, ‘Pirkka’ Chairs, 1955
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful chairs designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1955 in dark stained pinewood and black lacquered dowel legs, marked. Priced individually.
Pine