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 Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
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
$4,862Sale Price / 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
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
$7,700
H 36.23 in W 30.52 in D 33.08 in
Scandinavian Wingback Armchair Upholstered in Bouclé, Scandinavia, 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Throughout Scandinavia, there's a long history of pride in craftsmanship using natural materials like wood. This beautiful wingback chair is a great representation of the quality and...
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
$6,994
H 42.13 in W 27.56 in D 28.35 in
Børge Mogensen Wingback Chair in Teak & Leather, Scandinavian Design
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
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
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
$7,700
H 38.39 in W 27.96 in D 33.08 in
Scandinavian Upholstered Wingback Armchair, Scandinavia, 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Throughout Scandinavia, there's a long history of pride in craftsmanship using natural materials like wood. This wingback design has a rich history and purpose; it is said that they ...
Fabric, Wood
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
$4,350 / set
H 46 in W 31.5 in D 30 in
Pair Of Custom Upholstered Chippendale-Style Wingback Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of Chippendale style wingback armchairs featuring a classic serpentine crest rail, flared wings, and distinctive carved ball-and-claw feet on the front legs and gently splayed s...
Other
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.5 in W 32 in D 30.5 in
George III Wingback Armchair, Upholstered Wood, English, Circa 1800
Located in San Francisco, CA
An excellent example of a early Georgian wingback armchair. Having shapely wings and arch top backrest with swooping arms, standing on a pair of Queen Anne legs with pad feet on the front and very typical round...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,350Sale Price / set|25% Off
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
Wingback armchair sheep leather
Located in MILL, NL
Fantastic sheep leather wingback armchair by Lounge Atelier. Wonderful seating comfort. Incredibly beautiful patina and color. Condition is very good.
Sheepskin
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
Sold
H 40.16 in W 29.14 in D 29.93 in
Frederik A. Kayser Wingback Chair Upholstered in Cognac-Ccolored Leather
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
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
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