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.
Ilmari Tapiovaara for La Permanente Mobili Cantù Bookcases in Walnut
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Waalwijk, NL
IImari Tapiovaara for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, bookcases, walnut, fabric, Italy, 1957 These library units, crafted from walnut, are the work of Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Teak Drawer Chests, Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, 1950s
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, FI
A very elegant and distinct pair of teak drawer units designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Asko in Finland in the 1950s. Among Tapiovaara’s most popular designs, admired...
Teak, Birch
Mid-Century Ilmari Tapiovaara Teak Drawer Chest for Asko, 1950s
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, FI
A very elegant and distinct teak drawer/sideboard designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Asko in Finland in the 1950s. One of the most iconic designs by Ilmari Tapiovaara,...
Teak
Sideboard in Teak, Black Lacquered, Mirrored Glass and Glass, 1957-1958
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sideboard in Teak, Black Lacquered, Mirrored Glass and Glass by Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1957-1958 Additional Information: Material: Teak, black lacquered, ...
Brass
$4,547
H 50.4 in W 41.34 in D 11.82 in
1930s Italy Art Decò Bookcase in Mahogany by Permanente Mobili Cantù , Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1930s Italy, Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco bookcase in walnut and mahogany wax-polished by Permanente Mobili Cantù Measures cm: H 128, W 105, D 30. La Permanente Mobili Cantù The His...
Mahogany, Walnut
$18,781Sale Price|30% Off
H 65.75 in W 61.03 in D 16.54 in
Taichiro Nakai Teak Wall Cabinet by Consorzio La Permanente Mobili, 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Modular bookcase with structure in lacquered metal and wood. Glass tops and brass details. Produced by Consorzio la Permanente Mobili, Italy, 1953 Taichiro Nakai is an incredibly ta...
Metal, Brass
$2,800
H 43.31 in W 59.45 in D 16.93 in
Mid-Century Cabinet / Sideboard in Teak & Oak, Danish Cabinetmaker, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely rare cabinet in teak & oak. Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker in 1960s. Highlighted details and plenty of shelves featured in this beautiful cabinet. A fine vintage object that will complement many interior styles. A modern, classic, art deco or Scandinavian home deco. With a heavy focus on functionality, this design style leans toward modernism, while incorporating coziness. The Scandinavian design style aims to provide a way for people to live more sustainably and in harmony with one another. Honorable mentions with similar designs; Jakob Kjær...
Oak, Teak
$10,382
H 31.89 in W 88.19 in D 19.69 in
Contemporary Architectural Lacquered Sideboard/Antique Brass Base
Located in New York, NY
Sideboard with 4 doors, inside shelf and metal base. Cabinet is lacquered with top veneer walnut, metal base in epoxy powder. Custom sizes and finishes upon request. Top is also of...
Metal
Mid-Century Folding Bar Cabinet, Italy circa 1950s
Located in New York, NY
An Italian modernist folding bar cabinet. Bar folds open in the middle and is finished on all sides to be free standing. Mahogany, teak, patinated...
Mahogany
J.C. Mahey Brass Black Lacquered Sideboard Bar Cabinet 1970s
By Roche Bobois, Jean Claude Mahey
Located in Paris, IDF
A timeless vintage piece, this mid-century cabinet bar sideboard feels imposing and glamourous, with thick, straight lines of brass adorning its exterior of reflective black lacquer. Glossy black lacquer, paired with bright brass accents, feels crisp and luxe. Its boxy, simple style, featuring four doors and one drawers, is typical of both the 1970s and designer Jean Claude Mahey for Roche Bobois design. The two external doors...
Brass
Mid Century Tola and Black Tallboy Chest from G Plan, 1950s
By G Plan Furniture
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century Tola and Black tallboy chest from G Plan (E Gomme) Featuring a pull down compartment with an internal shelf and three drawers
Teak, Walnut
$6,063
H 32.29 in W 70.87 in D 21.26 in
Italian Midcentury Sideboard by La Permanente Mobili di Cantù, 1950
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This exquisite Italian sideboard or chest of drawers crafted by Permanente Mobili of Cantù in the late 1950s is a stunning example of mid-century modern design. The beautiful woodwork on the front of the six drawers creates a striking contrast between light and dark tones, while the sides feature an elegant herringbone pattern that adds a touch of refinement. A hammered black lacquer band underneath the top adds a subtle but distinct touch of sophistication to the piece. The original and distinctive handles are crafted from the same wood as the drawers, adding to the seamless and cohesive design. The chest of drawers is topped with a sleek black glass plate...
Glass, Maple, Walnut
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Two-Drawer Filing Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Two-Drawer Filing Cabinet Measures 18.5" in width, 20.5" in depth and 27" in height.
Teak
Mid-Century Heywood-Wakefield Hutch on Credenza, 1950s
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century Heywood-Wakefield Hutch on credenza Offered for sale is a 1950s Mid-Century Modern Heywood-Wakefield Hutch on the M592 credenza. The rem...
Glass, Wood
$8,827
H 51.19 in W 74.81 in D 17.72 in
Vittorio Dassi Bar cabinet , sideboard, for La Permanente Mobili di Cantù
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind bar cabinet designed by Vittorio Dassi for La Permanente Mobili di Cantù, a prestigious Italian designer active in the mid-20th century. Made of rosewood, its main mod...
Crystal, Bronze
$10,382 / item
H 31.89 in W 88.19 in D 19.69 in
Contemporary Architectural Lacquered Sideboard/Antique Brass Base
Located in New York, NY
Sideboard with 4 doors, inside shelf and metal base. Cabinet is lacquered with top veneer walnut, metal base in epoxy powder. Custom sizes and finishes upon request. Top is also of...
Metal
Sold
H 51.19 in W 79.14 in D 17.33 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara Wood Cabinet Chest of Drawers for Selettiva Di Cantù 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury modern design large chest of drawers or cabinet, designed by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara for Selettiva di Cantù, wooden structure with two large sliding doors and modular drawers...
Brass