Throughout his career as an interior and furniture designer, publisher and founder of the Swedish furniture company Boet, Otto Schultz was a key figure in promoting mid-century modern Scandinavian design.
Born in Germany in 1882, Schultz moved to Sweden in 1907, where he became interested in designing furniture and interiors. In 1920, Schultz founded his furniture company Boet in Gothenburg, where he created functional and traditional designs featuring quintessential elements of Scandinavian furnishings. Around the same time, Schultz started the design and living magazine Boet, which published articles and profiles highlighting Sweden’s most influential architects and designers. He served as Boet’s publisher and editor until 1938.
During the 1930s, Schultz created a range of opulent Scandinavian modern and neoclassical furniture, including cabinets, secretaires and side tables, using fine woods like elm, birch, mahogany and walnut. Many of his pieces showcased his patented use of decorative nails called Bopoint.
He was best known for the Schultz lounge chair, which he designed in 1936. Its voluptuous design featured a generous seat and a large, curved backrest and it was upholstered with a luxurious blend of alpaca and wool. The Schultz chair was highly popular in Sweden in the 1940s. While Boet originally produced it, Swedish furniture manufacturer Jio Möbler took over its production in 1941.
Schultz operated Boet until his retirement in 1950. He died in 1970. Today, Schultz’s pieces are favorites among interior designers and collectors seeking a mix of modern Scandinavian simplicity and lavish decorative style.
On 1stDibs, discover vintage Otto Schultz seating, storage cabinets and case pieces, tables and more.
Otto Schultz, Settee, Elm, Fabric, Sweden, 1940s
By Otto Schulz, Boet
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white fabric and elm settee designed by Otto Schultz and produced by Boet, Sweden, c. 1940s. Seat height 16”.
Fabric, Elm
$3,349
H 18.51 in W 23.63 in D 10.63 in
1930s Otto Schultz stool in leather, brown velvet, nailheads, oak. Boet, Sweden
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in København K, 84
This Otto Schultz stool is a masterpiece of Swedish design, encapsulating the refined aesthetic and exceptional craftsmanship that defined 1930s Scandinavian furniture. Crafted by th...
Leather, Velvet, Oak
1940s French Art Deco Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Art Deco settee with rosewood arms and frame from France, 1940s. Striking large circular arms and newly woven seat and back with trestle style feet.
Cane, Rosewood
$28,712
H 28.35 in W 110.24 in D 31.5 in
Important Otto Schulz Curved Four-Seat Sofa for Boet, Sweden, Mid-1940s
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in The Hague, NL
This important curved sofa was designed by Otto Schulz and produced by his company Boet in Gothenburg. The generously sized sofa can comfortably sit four people. The sofa has been ne...
Fabric, Bouclé, Chenille, Upholstery, Elm, Pine
1940s sofa in wood and bouclé fabric, Italian manufacture
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
A 1940s two-seater sofa with an elegant and understated design but with a mid-century modern twist. The structure is compact and slightly backward sloping, with curved lines giving ...
Bouclé, Beech, Bentwood
$30,000
H 39.25 in W 59.25 in D 21.5 in
Frits Henningsen High-Back Settee, Linen, Mahogany, Denmark, 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A high-backed settee designed by Frits Henningsen, featuring linen fabric upholstery and blackened mahogany legs. Produced by the renowned Danish master cabinetmaker, this piece show...
Linen, Mahogany
Otto Schulz 1940s Sheepskin Swedish Wing Chair
By Otto Schulz
Located in London, England
Otto Schulz Wing chair, c1940s An imposing and impressive wing chair from Swedish master designer Otto Schulz, produced by hiss own company Boet in Gothenburg Sweden in the 1940s....
Sheepskin, Elm
$3,280
H 32.29 in W 63.78 in D 32.29 in
Svante Skogh, Freestanding Sofa in Floral Fabric, Swedish Modern, 1940s
By Svante Skogh, AB Förenade Möbelfabrikerna Linköping
Located in Odense, DK
A refined and expressive Swedish sofa designed by Svante Skogh for Förenade Möbler, Linköping, mid-20th century. This elegant piece features upholstered cushions paired with a staine...
Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
$11,245
H 41.74 in W 33.86 in D 37.41 in
Otto Schulz Armchair in White Sheepskin and Beech, Boet, Sweden, 1940s
By Otto Schulz, Boet
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare wingback chair was designed by Otto Schulz and produced by Boet in Goteborg, Sweden in the 1940s. The elegant organic lines of the design create a striking silhouette. Its ...
Leather, Sheepskin, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
1940s Danish Modern Settee in the Style of Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in New York, NY
This Finn Juhn-style settee was originally crafted in the 1940s. It has been newly reupholstered in gold-and-black chevron wool from Donghia with matching piping. While the upholster...
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
Swedish Loveseat or Settee with Open Wooden Armrests in Elm ca. 1950
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superb Swedish settee from the late 1940's or early 1950s with coil springs in the seat and beautiful open armrests and legs carved in solid blond Elm wood with great grain and patin...
Wool, Elm
Pair of Otto Schulz Chairs, Sweden, 1940s
By Otto Schulz
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ivory white velvet easy chairs by Otto Schulz, Boet, Sweden, 1940s. Reupholstred and restored, excellent condition.
Velvet
$2,572
H 18.51 in W 23.63 in D 10.63 in
Large Art Deco Stool Green Leather & Suede, Otto Schultz for BOET, Sweden, 1930s
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful stool in Swedish Grace & Art Deco style by the German-Swedish designer and publisher Otto Schulz. The stool from the 1930s is in original condition with patinated green lea...
Leather, Suede