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Vatne Møbler

Norwegian

Norwegian furniture manufacturer Vatne Møbler has a rich legacy underscored by visionary collaborations with iconic Norwegian furniture designers. The company’s mid-century modern and Scandinavian modern lounge chairs and armchairs are known for their quality leather upholstery that acquires a beautiful patina over time.

Vatne Møbler was established in 1946 by Knut Sæter in the village of Vatne, Norway. Sæter was an interior architect who studied at the Bergen School of Arts and Crafts. He designed and manufactured the company’s first pieces. In 1955, interior architect Gerhard Berg started working for Vatne Møbler. His designs — particularly for sofas — soon became popular.

Later in the 1950s, furniture designer Fredrik A. Kayser began creating pieces for Vatne Møbler. His furniture earned the company international acclaim. In 1960, Kayser’s 711 chair for Vatne Møbler won first place at an Industry Council chair competition. 

After Kayser died in 1968, the company was overseen by interior designer Sigurd Resell. Resell’s most enduring contribution to Vatne Møbler was the 1970 Falcon armchair. The comfortable, leather-upholstered, X-framed chair came in second place at an Industry Council chair competition. In the 1970s, Resell designed a series of striking glass-topped Falcon coffee tables.

Vatne Møbler’s success lasted through the 1980s, a decade which included a collaboration with furniture designer Olav Eldøy. In 1989, the company encountered financial problems and was sold to Norwegian manufacturer Stokke AS

In 2002, Knut Sæter’s son, Per Arne Sæter, reopened the family business by relaunching Kayser’s classic designs along with a new collection. Production shut down in 2008 due to the financial crisis, but started again in 2010.

In 2015, the grandson of Knut Sæter, Amund Sæter, published Møbeleventyret Vatne: Boken om Vatne Møbler 1946-1989, a book about the early history of Vatne Møbler. The company continues to operate the Vatne Møbler As store in Norway.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Vatne Møbler seating and tables.

Expertly Restored - Fredrik Kayser Model-934 Rosewood & Leather Sofa
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Category

1970s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Vatne Møbler

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Feathers

Pair of brown leather and chrome Sigurd Ressell Falcon chairs for Vatne Møbler
By Sigurd Ressell, Vatne Møbler
Located in Highclere, Newbury
An exceptional pair of early 1970s vintage Vatne Møbler, Sigurd Ressell Falcon chairs in beautifully patinated brown leather with chrome frames. Known for its distinctive and striking chrome frame and suspended sling seat the Falcon Chair stands out as one of the most instantly recognisable pieces of vintage Scandinavian design. Originally designed by Ressell in 1970 the first chairs were produced in chrome and leather, and had a more industrial aesthetic which aligned with a trend that had started in Denmark in the late 1960s and early 1970s – using metal bar to create chair structures was popularised by the key Danish designers of the time; most notably, Poul Kjærholm, Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm. The chair has undergone several refinements and as consumer preferences shifted towards warmer, more organic materials, the Falcon Chair followed suit. In the mid-1970s, Vatne Møbler transitioned the chair’s frame from steel to bentwood, replacing the original chrome structure with a laminated beech or rosewood frame. This change softened the chair’s industrial edge and aligned it more closely with the naturalistic elements of Scandinavian furniture design, but also helped lower transportation cost to the USA which proved to be the largest market for export Falcons. All that said, for most purists seeking a vintage Falcon the original chrome framed version, which is as Ressell initially envisioned it, is often the first choice as it not only makes more of statement but it’s proven to be more durable – as such the chrome frame Falcons command higher prices and hold their value well. This pair are presented in very good vintage condition with light wear commensurate with age and use. There is the usual light cracking of the leather on the top of the sling belt supports but no holes, cracks or tears in the main leather upholstery, and no loss in integrity of the cushion padding. The stone coloured canvas slings are virtually unmarked (as they are in such great condition it’s possible that they may have been refreshed at some point) and the steel frames have only very light tarnish and no rust, pitting or flaking of the chrome. Sigurd Ressell Born in Norway in 1920, Sigurd Ressell studied at the National Academy of Craft and Art Industry in Oslo, where he developed his keen sense of industrial and furniture design. Ressell’s work was defined by strong geometric lines, practical aesthetics, and a deep understanding of materials. His career gained momentum in the 1950s, working for Sørlie Fabrikker, before he eventually collaborated with Vatne Møbler, the company that brought the Falcon Chair to life. Ressell also drew inspiration from the sleek, organic lines of nature, something deeply embedded in Scandinavian design philosophy. The Falcon Chair’s curved frame mimics the movement of a bird in flight, while its suspended leather seat cradles the user, offering both visual lightness and physical relaxation. The Falcon is his most famous work, but his broader body of work showcases a consistent dedication to comfort, function, and timeless design. Vatne Møbler Founded in 1946, Vatne Møbler is a Norwegian furniture manufacturer known for its commitment to producing high-quality, handcrafted furniture. The company gained international recognition during the 1960s and 70s, particularly with the Falcon Chair, which became a best-seller. Vatne Møbler's approach has always emphasized quality craftsmanship, using durable materials and skilled techniques to create furniture that lasts for generations. Even as trends shifted, the company continued to produce and refine the Falcon Chair, ensuring that it maintained its place in modern homes. Today, vintage Falcon Chairs...
Category

1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vatne Møbler

Materials

Chrome

Sigurd Ressell Falcon Lounge Chair with Black Leather and Chrome Base 1970s
By Sigurd Ressell, Vatne Møbler
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Rare Falcon lounge chair with armrest and chrome steel base. The cushions are upholstered with genuine black leather in very good and strong quality. The chair is made by Swedish Vat...
Category

1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vatne Møbler

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Leather 'Falcon' Sling Chair by Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Møbler, 1970s
By Vatne Møbler, Sigurd Resell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic leather 'Falcon' sling chair in burgundy leather by Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Møbler, suspended in air and harnessed by four sculptural dark wood frame components featuring ...
Category

1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vatne Møbler

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Wood

1960s Arne Norell Swivel Lounge Chair for Vatne, Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Arne Norell
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Arne Norell Swivel Lounge Chair for Vatne, Norway (1960s) A stunning 1960s swivel lounge chair designed by Arne Norell for Vatne Møbler, Norway. This chair features buttery soft co...
Category

1960s Norwegian Vintage Vatne Møbler

Materials

Leather

A Rare Mid-Century Scandinavian Egg Chair, Model "Florida" by Vatne
By Vatne Møbler
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A beautiful and rare Egg Chair, produced by Vatne Møbler in Norway in the 1950s. This model is considered the Scandinavian equivalent of the famous ‘Oeuf’ chair by French designer Je...
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vatne Møbler

Materials

Teak, Wool

Sigurd Ressell Lounge Chair, Model Falcon, Leather and Steel
By Vatne Møbler, Sigurd Resell
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Sigurd Ressell lounge chair upholstered with patinated leather. Frame in steel. Model Falcon, made by Vatne Møbler.
Category

1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Vatne Møbler

Materials

Chrome

Sigurd Ressell Pair of Falcon Lounge Chairs in Leather, Canvas and Birch 1970s
By Sigurd Ressell, Vatne Møbler
Located in Meer, VAN
Sigurd Ressell Pair of Falcon Lounge Chairs in Leather, Canvas and Birch for Vatne Møbler Norway 1970s This is a very elegant and comfortable pair of Falcon lounge chairs by Sigurd ...
Category

Late 20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vatne Møbler

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Birch

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Vatne Møbler Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$3,700Lounge ChairsSteel, Leather, Canvas1970s
2025$1,150Armchairs, Lounge ChairsLeather, Beech, Teak1959
2024$2,600Sofas, LoveseatsMahoganycirca 1960s
2024$795Lounge Chairs, ArmchairsLeather, Canvas, Hardwood2020
2024$2,995Lounge ChairsLeather, Rosewood, Downcirca 1960
2024$4,500SofasLeather, Rosewood1960s
2024$1,495Ottomans and PoufsLeather, Beech1970s
2024$2,700Lounge ChairsLeather, Canvas, Rosewood1970's
2024$1,530Ottomans and PoufsLeather, Rosewood1962
$2,385
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$795-$4,500
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Vatne Møbler

Vatne Møbler furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Vatne Møbler furniture 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 Vatne Møbler furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Vatne Møbler were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Fredrik A. Kayser, Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad, and Sven Ivar Dysthe. Prices for Vatne Møbler furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,387 and can go as high as $6,679, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,929.

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