“An object shall stand the wear of the eye!” proclaimed Swedish entrepreneur Sven Lundh (1925–2015), who took over operations at revered furniture company Källemo in 1971. For decades, the innovative brand has accomplished just that with a range of original and unconventional pieces that draw on — and regularly push the boundaries of — Scandinavian modern and postmodern design.
Based in Vänamo in southern Sweden, Källemo was originally established in 1947 before it was taken over by Lundh in 1971. Lundh’s vision for Källemo was to evolve the company and to create sustainable furniture that would be both functional and wholly sculptural. The interest in creating forward-looking seating, case pieces, tables and more that are as much furniture as they are art deepened for Lundh during the 1980s, when Swedish designers began to explore the ideas that underpin postmodernism in their work.
Lundh sought to secure long-term partnerships with modernist and postmodernist Swedish and European artists and designers such as Jonas Bohlin, the creator of the scandalous Concrete chair, which caught Lundh’s attention at Konstfack’s student exhibition in 1982. Bohlin’s minimalist armchair, featuring an angular steel frame and concrete seat and headrest, was meant to be presented as a sculpture, but it fit Lundh’s idea of “artistic furniture.” Källemo produced the Concrete chair as a limited-edition series, and it became one of the company’s best known pieces.
Over the years, Källemo has collaborated with Gustav Persson — designer of Källemo’s Bank bench — Mats Theselius, John Vedel-Rieper, Jens Harald Quistgaard, Gunnar Myrstrand and numerous other artists and designers to create its unique collection of furniture. In 1996, Lundh’s son Erik and daughter Karin took the helm at Källemo, which remains a family-owned firm. Today Källemo pieces are held in permanent museum collections throughout Sweden and Europe.
Find Källemo seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets on 1stDibs.
Swedish furniture designer John Kandell's Swivel Chair "Bon-Bon" for Källemo
By Källemo
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish furniture designer John Kandell, (1925-1991) Swivel Chair "Bon-Bon" for Källemo 1980s. Lacquered steel frame, seat and backplate in black lea...
Steel
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
A swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...
Velvet, Mahogany
$1,581
H 33.47 in W 28.75 in D 28.75 in
1980s, Scandinavian swivel armchair, furniture leather, bent wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1980s, Scandinavian swivel armchair. Original light brown furniture leather, canvas, bent beech wood, bent beech wood base. Original very good condition: no smells, no stains and sta...
Leather, Canvas, Bentwood
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 42.5 in W 19.5 in D 20 in
Set of 4 High Back Swivel Dining Chairs by Overman Sweden
By Overman
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of 4 sculpted high back swivel dining chairs by Overman of Sweden. Extremely comfortable contoured back rests create an ergonomic seating experience. Cognac faux leather ( vinyl ) upholstered seats and backs, on cast aluminum star bases, This form is not often seen, especially in sets, all 4 retain their original Overman Made in Sweden paper...
Aluminum
Vintage Swedish Mid-Century Leather Swivel Arm Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Handsome vintage swivel armchair from Sweden, c. 1960. Newly restored and reupholstered in high quality taupe leather. Tub style rounded cha...
Chrome
F588 Swivel chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort
By Artifort, Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Ranst, VAN
A ‘F588’ swivel lounge chair, designed by Geoffrey Harcourt and made by Artifort in the Netherlands. This swivel chair has recently been reupholstered in soft black leather. Scratche...
Leather
$2,595 / set
H 28.25 in W 28.5 in D 28.5 in
Carina Bengs for IKEA Fridene Swedish Bentwood Swivel Lounge Chairs - Pair
By IKEA
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Carina Bengs for IKEA Fridene Swedish Bentwood Swivel Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 28.5 wide x 28.5 deep x 28.25 high, with a seat height of...
Upholstery, Bentwood
$1,816
H 35.83 in W 35.04 in D 35.83 in
1970s, Scandinavian swivel chair, original condition, brown furniture leather.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Scandinavian design. Swivel chair in brown furniture leather. Original very good condition: no smells, no stains, stable construction. Chrome steel base. Classic Scandinavian ...
Steel
$1,329
H 37.41 in W 35.83 in D 37.01 in
1970s, Danish swivel chair, original condition, brown furniture leather.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish swivel chair in original very good condition: no smells, no stains, stable construction. Classic Danish 70s design. Original brown leather, steel. Manufactured by Danis...
Steel
$1,069
H 35.83 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
1970s, Danish swivel chair by H.W.Klein for Bramin Møbler, furniture leather.
By Bramin Mobler, Henry Walter Klein
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish swivel chair by H.W.Klein for Bramin Møbler. Original black furniture leather, five fingers base. Original good condition: no smells, no stains and stable construction....
Steel
$1,467
H 35.04 in W 30.32 in D 35.44 in
1970s, Swedish design by Ulferts Möbler, swivel armchair, furniture velour.
By Ulferts Swedish
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Swedish swivel armchair by Ulferts Sweden. Original dark orange furniture velour, five fingers chrome steel base. Original very good condition: no smells, no stains and stable...
Steel
Sweden Beige Swivel Chair for Asko, 1970s
By Asko
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Sweden - Made of metal, leatherette - For Asko - Good, original condition.
Metal
$1,313Sale Price|50% Off
H 26.38 in W 31.5 in D 25.6 in
SM. Wincrantz “Mundo” Swivel Lounge Chair, Sweden, 1970s
By SM Wincrantz 1
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Striking swivel lounge chair designed by SM. Wincrantz in Sweden during the 1970s, model “Mundo.” This sculptural chair features a sleek, futuristic form with a tulip-style pedestal ...
Faux Leather