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.
Frederik A. Kayser Wingback Chair Armchair Upholstered in Leather
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Vienna, AT
Cognac leather wingback armchairs, designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler, Norway, circa 1964. Hardwood legs, and adjustable headrests with weighted straps. New upholstery.
Leather, Hardwood
$4,937 / set
H 38.78 in W 34.26 in D 29.93 in
Pair of Vintage Clubhouse Wingback Chairs, English, Leather, Armchair, C.1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage clubhouse wingback chairs. an English, leather button back armchair, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Charming club lounge chairs for keeping th...
Leather
$7,800
H 31.89 in W 49.61 in D 28.35 in
Pristine Wingback Chair in Patinated Leather by Kaare Klint, 1940s
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking wingback chair in patinated black leather, designed by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen in 1946 model 5313. Made in Denmark. Original condition.
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of Georgian Style Wingback Chairs Upholstered in Linen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Wing Back Chairs in the Style of Georgian. Newly upholstered in Linen with a cord welt to the cushions. A wonderful pair and very c...
Linen, Upholstery, Cord, Wood
$7,458
H 43.31 in W 22.05 in D 27.56 in
19thC English Mahogany Wingback Armchair Re-Upholstered in Liberty
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1870 19thC English Mahogany Wingback Armchair Re-upholstered in Liberty Farina Flowers sku 540 W56 x D70 x H110 cm Seat Height 40 cm
Oak
Leather Wingback Chair
Located in Delft, NL
A leather wingback chair A late 19th Century wingback chair in raw leather upholstery with dark oak Queen Anne front legs and straight oak rear legs. The bottom of the chair is we...
Leather, Oak
Art Deco Leather Wingback Armchair
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This Art Deco wingback armchair with an original frame of beechwood has been newly upholstered in hand-patinated sheep leather. Very comfortable and extremely robust. Measures: S...
Beech, Leather
$7,105
H 42.13 in W 27.56 in D 28.35 in
Børge Mogensen Wingback Chair in Teak & Leather, Scandinavian Design
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen wingback chair new upholstered with walnut elegance leather. Legs in teak. Model 2204, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Leather, Teak
$5,800 / set
H 45.5 in W 26 in D 24.5 in
Pair Mid-Century Wingback Chairs Upholstered in a Parzinger-Inspired Fabric
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a pair of slim-profile wingback chairs from the mid-century that have been refinished and meticulously reuholstered in a heavy-weight French linen printed fabric by Matt Murphy Studio...
Linen, Wood
$3,224
H 43.31 in W 32.68 in D 28.35 in
19th Century Georgian Black Leather-Upholstered Wingback Armchair
Located in London, GB
A Georgian black leather-upholstered wingback armchair outlined with a close nail trim and raised on cabriole legs terminating in scrolled feet.
Leather, Wood
Leather upholstered wingback armchair
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany framed wing armchair of generous proportions, the arched top above deep buttoned back, upholstered arms and seat in brown leather, raised up on square supports united by H s...
Leather
Traditional Blue Upholstered Wingback Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic traditional wing chair with beautiful new blue upholstery and foam cushion, having dark wood stretcher and legs. Like new but no label. arm height 25"
Upholstery
"Halstead" by Lee Stanton Wingback Chair Upholstered in Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Halstead by Lee Stanton Editions is a wingback armchair upholstered in a classic, deeply aged amber leather or COM (customer's own material). Features ...
Leather
Sold
H 40.16 in W 29.14 in D 29.93 in
Frederik A. Kayser Wingback Chair Upholstered in Cognac-Ccolored Leather
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Vienna, AT
Cognac leather wingback chairs, designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler, Norway, circa 1964. Hardwood legs, and adjustable headrests with weighted straps. Used condition.
Leather, Hardwood
Fine 1960s Fredrik Kayser Wingback Chair for Vatne Møbler
By Vatne Møbler, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Miami, FL
Fine and important 1960s Fredrik Kayser modern wingback chair with rosewood legs. Created for Vatne Møbler of Norway, it features faux shagreen stamped ultrasuede, three loose down f...
Ultrasuede, Rosewood
Frederik Kayser Wingback Chair, Rosewood and Leather, Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Fredrik Kayser lounge chair original upholstered with black leather. Legs of rosewood. Model 965, made by Vatne Møbelfabrik.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 40 in W 29.5 in D 34 in
Pair of Danish Modern Wingback Leather Lounge Chairs by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne
By Vatne Møbler, Børge Mogensen, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Peabody, MA
Matched pair of Scandinavian leather wingback chairs, designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler, Norway, circa 1964. Rosewood legs, and adjustable headrests with weighted straps. E...
Leather, Rosewood