From its humble beginnings as a saddlery more than 100 years ago, O.H. Sjögren has grown into one of Sweden’s largest upholstered furniture manufacturers and a leading contributor to Scandinavian modern style in the 20th and 21st centuries.
O.H. Sjögren was founded in 1902 by Oskar Herbert Sjögren, then a 25-year-old saddlemaker and journeyman, who took over a saddlery in Tranås, Sweden. By 1914, at the onset of World War I, Sjögren’s business had grown as supplies such as pack saddles and life belts were in high demand for Sweden’s military. In 1917, with the war in Europe still ongoing, O.H. Sjögren began a collaboration with the neighboring company Tranås Vagnfabrik to upholster seats for horse-drawn carriages. However, with the carriage market in decline by the 1930s, O.H. Sjögren shifted its operations to furniture upholstery.
From 1936 to 1973, O.H. Sjögren was helmed by Oskar’s sons, Ollie and Gustaf, who were determined to produce impeccable Scandinavian furniture. The manufacturer soon gained its largest and most important client, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) in Stockholm, followed by renowned Swedish designer Carl Malmsten in 1956.
Malmsten’s partnership with O.H. Sjögren throughout the 1950s and 1960s was a great success. Together, the designer and manufacturer produced a wide variety of mid-century modern seating, such as the plush, classic Samsas sofa, the Lata Greven (Lazy Countess) lounge chair and the popular Farmor armchair.
In 1973, Ollie’s son Erik became head of O.H. Sjögren and attracted several major design brands, including Svenskt Tenn. Although the Swedish furniture industry was threatened by cheaper, imported, mass-produced furniture from elsewhere in Europe and Asia during the 1980s and 1990s, O.H. Sjögren endured in its success due to its reputation for high quality and formidable designs.
Since 2005, O.H. Sjögren has been run by its fourth generation from the Sjögren family — Oskar’s great-grandsons Håkan and Jakob. The company continues to produce many of Malmsten’s most popular seating, as well as Svenskt Tenn’s classic designs.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage O.H. Sjögren seating.
20th Century Swedish Vintage OH Sjögren Home Evening Settee by Carl Malmsten
By O.H. Sjögren, AB Stilarmatur Tranås, Carl Malmsten
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large, vintage Mid-Century modern Swedish three-seater " Home Evening " sofa or settee with two pillows, designed by Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren and Stoppmöbler, Tranås in good ...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Beech
$980
H 38.59 in W 17.33 in D 15.75 in
Rustic Swedish Pine Chair, Carl Malmsten Style, Early 20th Century
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Odense, DK
A rare rustic dining / office chair in stained pine. Made in the style of Carl Malmsten "Skedblad" in the early 1900s. It has an incredibly strong character, with its rounded shape...
Pine
Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
This is an absolutely stunning and iconic design. It’s the Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa designed by Carl Malmsten in the 1920’s. This model was made in Sweden in the late 20th c...
Leather, Wood
$9,000
H 40.56 in W 29.93 in D 33.47 in
Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren 'Farmor' Armchair in Honey Sheepskin, 1950s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Prague, New Town
'Farmor' armchair, designed by Carl Malmsten in 1956. Produced by O.H. Sjögren in Sweden, 1950s. Recently reupholstered in honey sheepskin. Dimensions: Height: 103 cm / 40.55 in Wid...
Sheepskin, Wood
Swedish Modern Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten 1950's
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Uccle, BE
This Samspel 2 seaters sofa has been reupholstered in a cotton blend-Villa Nova Bari fabric parchment color. This “Samspel” or Interplay sofa was created by Carl Malmsten, one of Sw...
Cotton, Beech
On Hold|$3,400
H 29.53 in W 78.75 in D 30.71 in
Mid-20th Century, Swedish Three Seater Sofa in Pine by Carl Malmsten, 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Odense, DK
This stunning three-seater sofa is designed by Carl Malmsten and produced by O.H. Sjögren, dating from the 1960s. The model, Visingsö, is a celebrated example of Swedish mid-century ...
Wool, Pine
Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Sofa for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
“Samsas” is for many the most associated series with Carl Malmsten. The designer devoted his life to the renewal of traditional Swedish craftsmanship, inspired by Swedish country man...
Fabric, Wood
$4,501
H 48.82 in W 53.35 in D 53.35 in
Vintage Giltwood Love Seat Conversation Settee Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic English vintage giltwood love seat or conversation "Sociable Settee" mid 20th century in date. It is of clover leaf outline and has four individual seats with...
Velvet, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Swedish Settee or Sofa
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1930s small Swedish sofa with walnut frame, tall back and brass capped front legs. Sleek lines with curves and high backrest. Very solid piec...
Upholstery, Walnut
French Early 20th Century Settee
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This settee has an amazing back made of strong wood, rustic look and so different.
Straw, Walnut
$7,700 / set
H 32.49 in W 31.11 in D 29.73 in
Carl Malmsten Upholstered Armchairs for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden, 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten devoted his life to the renewal of traditional Swedish craftsmanship, inspired by Swedish country manors and rustic styles. In this spirit, his armchairs are regarded t...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Swedish Armchair by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely comfortable vintage Swedish armchair by Carl Malmsten. This model is very rare, it is an early model made by O.H. Sjogren. We have recently imported it from S...
Bouclé, Wood
$6,600 / set
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Pair of “Lata Greven” Armchairs by Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
By the 1920s, Carl Malmsten became one of the most sought-after interior and furniture designers in all of Sweden. As a furniture maker he expressed the old, inherited forms as well ...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 70.87 in D 31.11 in
Three-Seat Sofa by Carl Malmsten for OH Sjogren in Fresh New Grey Wool
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautiful three-seat sofa in quality grey wool fabric, by Carl Malmsten for OH Sjogren in great condition.
Wool, Beech
Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Sofa
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Long Island City, NY
A classic three-seater sofa designed by Carl Malmsten. "Samsas" can be roughly translated from Swedish as "togetherness," and the gracious, curvilinear design expresses just that. De...
Beech, Cotton