Märta Blomstedt Seating
Finnish, 1899-1982
Designed in partnership with architect Matti Lampén, the strikingly modernist Hotel Aulanko in Hämeenlinna — as well as the impossibly plush, sheepskin-upholstered Aulanko armchairs for the project — is just one of the many examples of architect and furniture designer Märta Blomstedt’s contributions to the functionalist movement in Finland during the 20th century.
Born in the city of Turku, Blomstedt studied architecture and graduated from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1922. She married fellow student Pauli Blomstedt and together they established an architectural firm. They completed the Finnish Savings Bank in Helsinki and began work on the Hotel Pohjanhovi in Kannonkoski and the small Kannonkoski Church when Pauli died in 1935.
Matti Lampén, another architect who worked on the bank, aided Blomstedt in completing much of her husband’s unfinished work including the Yaskelyaynena Cottage — a Russian heritage building — and the Pohjanhovi Hotel. In 1938, the pair opened a firm together, Blomstedt & Lampén, and designed the Hotel Aulanko and took on a number of WWII restorations, builds and renovations including the Lindström and Sörnäisten Factory and the Pajarin Church.
Not unlike the well-known SAS Royal Hotel designed decades later in Denmark by Arne Jacobsen, Hotel Aulanko was intended to be a complete work of art, wherein the textiles and furnishings — produced by the likes of Paavo Tynell, Taito and Alvar Aalto for Artek, the company he cofounded with his wife, Aino — made up part of the whole.
Prior to Lampén’s death, Blomstedt & Lampén initiated work on a large city plan for the Oravikoski Mining Community which included housing units, apartment buildings, row houses and detached homes as well as community buildings like a cinema, nursery school and sauna. Blomstedt brought in architect Olli Penttilä to help complete the project. Blomstedt and Penttilä went on to design the Vuorimiehentie II building on Blomstedt’s old university campus as well as apartments in Oulu, Finland.
Today, Blomstedt’s 1930s-era Aulanko sheepskin lounge chairs — which may have been inspired by Danish designer Fleming Lassen's Tired Man armchair — remain highly sought after for their historical significance and quality. As an active member of the Finnish Association of Architects and founding member of the 1943 Association of Women Architects, Märta Blomstedt leaves behind a legacy of important milestones for female designers, Finnish architecture and Scandinavian modernism.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Märta Blomstedt seating and other furniture.
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Creator: Märta Blomstedt
Large Märta Blomstedt Aulanko Armchair in Moonlight Natural Sheepskin, 1940s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Helsinki, FI
A wonderful and iconic "Aulanko" lounge chair designed by Märta Blomstedt in the 1930s for the Hotel Aulanko in Finland. This chair is from the 1940s and reupholstered in soft & "moo...
Category
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Sheepskin, Wood
Marta Blomstedt Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Aulanko Hotel, Finland, 1930s.
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
Pair of Marta Blomstedt Sheepskin Armchairs for the Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1930s.
In 1936, architects Matti Lampen and Märta Blomstedt were commissioned to design the Aulanko Hotel in Hämeenlinna, Finland. This hotel was in its time a luxury hotel of international relevance. Here Finnish functionalist elegance was conveyed at its best. The armchairs in the hotel's entrance hall are today the subject of varying questions among design experts.
There are claims that the prototype of the model made for the Aulanko Hotel was Fleming Lassen's "Tired Man" armchair from 1935.
"Aulanko" itself became known all over the world. Most notable is the voluminous body that stands on four bun-shaped feet.
While this model originally had tubular steel legs,today there are many variations of this chair, such as a 1941 model with wooden legs.
Available in abundance in Finland, wood was used by many furniture makers as a substitute for metal, which was banned for furniture during the war.
Until the late 1940s, Artek marketed a version of the armchair with round wooden legs. In the 1950s, similar but smaller models were produced by different manufacturers, including Kantosen Puutyö. This craze explains the appearance of many variations with slight differences.
Armchairs are very comfortable and impressive. Through their streamlined and round shapes, they literally invite the user to sit in them and check if they are as comfortable and cozy as they look. For upholstery, we used the highest quality, premium sheepskin, which, apart from being very pleasant to the touch and cozy, is also durable. Furthermore, the warm brown colour of the wooden feet nicely contrasts to the soft, light color of the upholstery, creating a cosy look, not to mention that wooden bun feet make a long-lasting, rock solid foundation for any chair.
* Price per piece, Euro 35 000 per set of 2
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The armchairs are newly refinished and reupholstered in premium sheepskin.
At the customer's special request, AMS Gallery offers a re-upholstery service in a fabric of choice. We guarantee the originality and authenticity of each of our items. The process of renovation and reupholstering is performed by experienced craftsmen with great attention to originality. Our team makes sure that each element retains its value and is ready for many years.
Dimensions:
Width 100 cm / 39.37 in.
Depth 95 cm / 37.4 in.
Height 90 cm / 35.4 in.
Seat Height 40 cm / 15.7 in.
About the Designer:
Märta Blomstedt (1899–1982) was an architect and one of the driving forces of the Finnish functionalism...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Sheepskin, Wood
Märta Blomstedt Sofa, Finland, 1940s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare sofa was designed by Märta Blomstedt and produced in Finland in the 1940s. The sofa has been fully reconditioned and newly upholstered in a w...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Birch, Bouclé
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chair for The Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt
Hotel Aulanko Wing Chair, 1939.
This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finland....
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Sheepskin, Elm
Aulanko - lounge chair in lambskin by Märta Blomstedt
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare 'Aulanko' armchair in new lambskin (colour: Moonlight). Designed c. 1939 for the Hotel Aulanko in Finland by Märta Blomstedt.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Lambskin
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chair Model Aulanko Produced by Häämenlinna in Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair model Aulanko designed by Märta Blomstedt. Produced by Häämenlinna in Finland. Designed in 1939 for Hotel Aulanko’s lounge area.
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Sheepskin, Beech
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chair Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna, Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Stockholm, SE
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chairs Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna, Finland, 1940s.
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Fabric
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin, Model Aulanko, Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of Märta Blomstedt easy chairs. Legs in stained ash and upholstered in sheepskin. Model designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939.
The chairs are newly refinished an upholstere...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Sheepskin, Ash
Sofa by Märta Blomstedt
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Borås, SE
Sofa by Märta Blomstedt.
ca. 1938
White wool fabric, stained birch feet.
Designed by Märta Blomstedt ca. 1938. Similar to the furniture which ...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chairs Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna in Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare pair model Aulanko easy chairs by Märta Blomstedt. Produced by Häämenlinna in Finland. Designed in 1939 for Hotel Aulanko’s lounge area.
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Bouclé, Birch
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Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Hotel Aulanko
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Marta Blomstedt
Hotel Aulanko Wing Chair, 1939.
This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finland. Around 20 chairs were made for the Hotel itself with tubular steel runner legs. This version of the chair with the spherical, stained elm wood feet is an early production and was subsequently produced for local retailers. It draws inspiration by Danish designer Flemming Lassen's genre-defining 'Tired Man' chair from 1935. This is the larger of the 2 Hotel Aulanko versions that were made and is slightly taller and wider than the other version.
This example has been reupholstered in New Zealand sheepskin at our workshop in London.
_________________
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1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
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H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Hotel Aulanko
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Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt
Hotel Aulanko Wing Chair, 1939.
This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finland. Around 20 chairs were made for the Hotel itself with tubular steel runner legs. This version of the chair with the spherical, stained elm wood feet is an early production and was subsequently produced for local retailers. It draws inspiration by Danish designer Flemming Lassen's genre-defining 'Tired Man' chair from 1935. This is the larger of the 2 Hotel Aulanko versions that were made and is slightly taller and wider than the other version.
This example has been reupholstered in New Zealand sheepskin at our workshop in London.
---
Märta Blomstedt (1899-1982) was an architect and one of the driving forces of the Finnish functionalism...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Sheepskin, Elm
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 35.44 in
"Aulanko" Armchair by Märta Blomstedt for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1930s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Utrecht, NL
The Finnish architect and designer, Märta Blomstedt, was one of the driving forces of the Finnish functionalism movement. Her first works were noted for their functional, rather than decorative appearance, which clearly changed as evidence by these famous “Aulanko” armchairs.
Blomstedt designed all aspects of her buildings including the furnishings, demonstrated in one of her most noted designs of the Hotel Aulanko. The hotel was conceived as a single work of art and the furnishings, dishes and textiles were part of the project. This model – designed in 1939 - got its name after this architectural project and was specifically designed for the lobby of the hotel in Hämeenlinna, Finland. While it has been stated before that this model was heavily inspired by Danish designer, Fleming Lassen's genre-defining 'Tired Man' wing chair from 1935, the “Aulanko” became world-famous in its own right. Most notable is the voluminous body that stands on four bun shaped feet. While this model originally had tubular steel legs, various iterations were produced for the hotel over the subsequent decades. This version with spherical wooden bun feet is one of the earliest examples created and until the late 1940s, Artek marketed this version of the armchair. The flowing, round lines are beautifully accentuated by the light sheepskin. Furthermore, the warm brown colour of the wooden feet nicely contrasts to the soft, light colour of the upholstery, creating a cosy look, not to mention that wooden bun feet make a long-lasting, rock solid foundation for any chair.
The large curves and rounded edges of the body and feet are very inviting, asking the user to be embraced by the soft sheepskin. The Aulanko Hotel in Hämeenlinna (the city of Jean Sibelius) was in its time a luxury hotel of international relevance. In this “Aulanko” chair...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
Materials
Sheepskin, Wood
H 34.65 in W 41.74 in D 42.52 in
Sheepskin Lounge Chair Designed by Märta Blomstedt
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An Aulanko lounge chair designed by Marta Blomstedt newly restored and reupholstered in sheepskin. The bun feet have been replaced. The original Aulanko chair...
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Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
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Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939.
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H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 37.41 in
"Aulanko" Sheepskin Armchair/Lounge Chair by Märta Blomstedt, Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Stockholm, SE
Amazing lounge chair by Märta Blomstedt, designed for the interior of the “Aulanko” hotel in 1939. Märta Blomstedt was the architect behind the hotel. Oversized, voluptuous design wi...
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1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Blomstedt Seating
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H 34.26 in W 41.74 in L 34.26 in
Märta Blomstedt seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Märta Blomstedt 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 Märta Blomstedt seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Märta Blomstedt were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in finland during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Werner West, Bertel Gardberg, and Aino Aalto. Prices for Märta Blomstedt seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $12,396 and can go as high as $63,677, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $28,472.