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.
Vintage Norwegian Modern Loveseat in Leather and Teak by Fredrik Kayser
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This two-seat sofa was designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrikk (ca. 1960s, Norway). Magnificent frame in sculpted teak with armrests resembling two conjoined cul-de-sac...
Brass
$7,088
H 26.78 in W 74.02 in D 32.29 in
Scandinavian Sofa Modell 807 by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrikk A/S
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Karlstad, SE
Sofa model 807 by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrikk A/S, Norway. This high-quality sofa with timeless design is upholstered in cognac colo...
Leather, Wood
1960s Fredrik Kayser Leather Lounge Chair
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Frederik Kayser leather lounge chair for Vatne Mobler, Norway. 1960’s. Wingback chair with rosewood base and original cognac leather. Unmarked.
Leather, Rosewood
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 63 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern brown Leather loveseat Sofa round Legs Sigurd Resell Norway
By Sigurd Ressell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Scandinavian modern brown leather 2 seat sofa round legs. Beautiful brown soft leather is soft and shows sign...
Leather, Wood
$5,195
H 37 in W 33 in D 18 in
Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Leather, Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler, Norway, 1960
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and iconic low-profile recliner with matching ottoman designed by the influential Fredrik A. Kayser for the lauded Vatne Møbler. Designed and produced in the late...
Leather
Midcentury Modern Lounge Chairs by Fredrik Kayser, Norway, 1950s
By Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant fire place chairs by Fredrik Kayser, with teak frames, beautifully sculpted. Neat size. Backs and seats upholstered with offwhite sheepskin.
Sheepskin, Teak
Fredrik Kayser Model 710 Armchair
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this rare, out-of-production Model 710 armchair which is similar to Fredrik Keyser's more common Model 711, but features a more upright seating position. Th...
Upholstery, Teak
Fredrik A. Kayser Rosewood Easy Chair, Model 711
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fredrik A. Kayser rosewood easy chair, model 711, produced by Vatne Møbler, Norway.
Rosewood, Upholstery
$4,500
H 28.3 in W 55.9 in D 25.6 in
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Loveseat in Hardwood and Leather by Gelli, 1960s
By Gelli Indústria de Móveis
Located in New York, NY
Produced by Gelli during the 1960s, this loveseat reflects the pragmatic elegance that defined much of Brazilian modern furniture design in the mid-twentieth century. The piece demon...
Leather, Hardwood
$4,860
H 30.5 in W 24 in D 30.5 in
Rare Fredrik Kayser Model 599 Teak Rocking Chair, Rocker Norway, circa 1960s
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Buffalo, NY
Fredrik A. Kayser Model 599 teak rocking chair, Rocker Norway circa 1960s Magnificent mid twentieth century Fredrik A. Kayser for Vatne Mobler, Model 599 Teak & Cane rocking chair, ...
Brass
$3,000
H 33 in W 33 in D 55 in
Mid Century Norwegian Post Modern Ekornes Red Leather Amigo Loveseat sofa
By Ekornes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Norwegian Post Modern Ekornes 'Amigo' Red leather 2 seat loveseat sofa. Great vibrant Red soft leather tufted cushions and arm rests with solid Stained birch wood frame. ...
Leather, Foam, Birch
Suede Sofa by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Mobler, Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Suede Two-Seater Sofa by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler. This two-seater sofa, designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler, exemplifies Norwegian Mid-Century Modern design. Newly ...
Suede
Easy Chair by Fredrik A. Kayser
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in New York, NY
Stunning 1960's Mid-Century easy chair by Fredrik A. Kayser for Vatne, Norway. The chair has beautiful carved teak armrests and legs that echos the Scandinavian Mid-century style at ...
Fabric, Wool, Mohair, Teak
Sold
H 31 in W 77 in D 32 in
Arne Norell 1970s Three-Seat Sofa in Brown Buffalo Leather with Chrome Base
By Arne Norell, Vatne Møbler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A sofa in chocolate brown buffalo leather and chrome base with fabulous whipstitch trim, designed by Arne Norell for Vatne Møbler of Norway and produced in the late 1960's or early 1...
Chrome
Sold
H 29 in W 52 in D 27 in
Knut Saeter for Vatne Mobler Black Leather and Rosewood Settee Sofa Couch
By Knut Sæter, Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Two-seat loveseat sofa designed by Knut Saeter for Vatne Mobler. Solid rosewood frame with sculpted scroll armrests and original black lea...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 29 in W 87 in D 27 in
Knut Saeter for Vatne Mobler Black Leather and Rosewood Four-Seat Sofa Couch
By Knut Sæter, Vatne Møbler
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Our team has not only restored this iconic sofa to excellent condition, but we maintained originality. There may be other versions of this sofa available, but don't be fooled, they o...
Leather, Rosewood
Hans Olsen Danish Mid-Century Modern Leather Loveseat Sofa
By Hans Olsen, Vatne Møbler
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very attractive two-seater loveseat sofa designed by Hans Olsen and retailed by Vatne Møbler during the third quarter of the 20th century, it retains its original thick black leath...
Leather, Teak