Original 1960s Crinolette Chair Designed in 1962 by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko
About the Item
- Creator:Ilmari Tapiovaara (Designer),Asko (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73 cm)Width: 27.17 in (69 cm)Depth: 25.99 in (66 cm)Seat Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Surrey, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6098226700632
Ilmari Tapiovaara
During the mid-20th century, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked with pine, teak and his country’s native birch to create sleek and sculptural chairs, dining room tables and bookcases in the Scandinavian modern style. Tapiovaara’s areas of expertise expanded beyond furniture to include interior architecture, wooden sculptures, film posters and cutlery.
After completing his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, Tapiovaara embarked on a design career that would envelop his entire life. As a young man, Tapiovaara idolized revered architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto — whom, with his wife, Aino Aalto, cofounded Artek, the company that would eventually manufacture the majority of Tapiovaara’s creations. The budding designer had one of Aalto’s chairs in his apartment while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as an assistant in an office at Le Corbusier, then as a designer and artistic director at Asko.
By 1951, Tapiovaara and his wife, Annikki, had established their own studio. A few years previous, the pair had designed the now-legendary Domus chair while creating interiors and furnishings for a new student housing complex in Helsinki. Made of molded plywood and easily stackable, the ergonomic Domus chair, with its slender form, featured a modest silhouette — its lightweight structure allowed for easy exporting, and iconic mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Knoll added a low-backed version to its offerings in the early 1950s. (It was marketed as the Finn chair in the United States.)
Tapiovaara went on to design pieces for Pihlgren ja Ritola and Santa and Cole. His experience earned him teaching positions at the Institute of Applied Arts, the Helsinki University of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology. While in Chicago for the latter, he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Tapiovaara centered his passion for design on social responsibility. He wanted his creations to be accessible to everyone, which was the concept behind his democratic approach. In Finland’s postwar era, the goal was exemplary, affordable designs. With this in mind, he created products such as stackable chairs and “knock-down” pieces packed flat, so they shipped efficiently and cost less.
An influential champion of his profession, he spent two decades as a United Nations ambassador, working to improve design’s contribution to society. His lasting, collectible furniture is a testament to the designer’s goal to create humane, radiant and intimate spaces. The United Nations project included traveling to Paraguay to create much-needed furniture. A similar project followed in Mauritius.
Tapiovaara’s success as an industrial and mass producer of everyday furniture was widely recognized and awarded. He received six gold medals for his chairs alone at the Milan Triennials. He also accepted a Good Design award, the Finnish State Design Award, a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation and the Furniture Prize of the SIO Interior Architects’ Association of Finland.
Find vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, tables and lighting on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Frensham, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Mid Century ’Hexagon’ Armchair by Peter Murdoch and Made by Hille of London Ltd.By Hille, Peter MurdochLocated in Surrey, GBMid Century ’Hexagon’ armchair designed by Peter Murdoch and made by Hille of London Ltd., 1967. Tan leatherette upholstery in excellent condition. ...Category
20th Century English Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Danish Mid Century Solid Teak Sideboard by Ole Wanscher, Circa 1960sBy Ole WanscherLocated in Surrey, GBDanish mid century solid teak sideboard designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesens Mobelfabrik, circa 1960s. 3 doors with brass keys and hinges. 2 ...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsTeak
- Midcentury Merrow Associates Chrome Dining Chairs by Richard Young, c.1970By Merrow Associates, Richard YoungLocated in Surrey, GBA set of four midcentury Merrow Associates chrome and black velvet dining chairs designed by Richard Young in the 1970s. Marks to upholstery...Category
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Pair of Vintage Upholstered Hallway Chairs 54/404 by Alvar Aalto, Circa 1950sBy Alvar AaltoLocated in Surrey, GBA stunning pair of stackable Alvar Aalto chair 54/404, a padded variant of hallway chair 403 designed in 1932. Very good vintage condition. Dimen...Category
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Birch
- Pair of Art Deco Style Bauhaus Club Chairs by ószef Peresztegi Stamped 1961Located in Surrey, GBA pair of Bauhaus club chairs by Hungarian designer József Peresztegi stamped 1961. Original upholstery, in very good condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Bauhaus Club Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Set of 4 Mid-Century Swedish Teak Dining ChairsBy Nils JonssonLocated in Surrey, GBSet of 4 mid-century teak dining chairs by Nils Jonson for Troeds, Sweden, circa 1960s. Black vinyl seats. Dimensions: 44 W x 49 D x 79 H cm Seat height: 45 cm.Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- 1960s Finnish Pair of Crinolette Lounge Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for AskoBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, AskoLocated in Sagaponack, NYA pair of black painted birch 'Crinolette' lounge chairs with bent wood spokes tenon-joined to the solid bent back rest, maintaining original 'Asko Export' stickers.Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Fanett Dining Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for ASKO, 1960sBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, AskoLocated in München, BYOriginal Fanett dining chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for ASKO. From the 60's. With manufacturer's label on the bottom. The chair is in a beautiful vi...Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Ilmari Tapiovaara Crinolette Lounge ChairBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Toronto, OntarioAn exceptional iconic chair designed by Finnish Master Ilmari Tapiovaara. A rare example of Scandinavian design. Less than 5000 of these chairs were ever created. Winner of the Ame...Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Mademoiselle Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for AskoBy Asko, Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1960s. Iconic mademoiselle chair painted white but aged. Tagged. Made in SwedenCategory
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Rocking Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, 1950sBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, AskoLocated in Vienna, ATBlack lacquered beech structure seating in blond wood, designed in the late 1950s by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland. Traces of use on the armrests and on the footrest.Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsBeech, Bentwood
- Mademoiselle Lounge Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for ASKO 1960sBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Hannover, DELounge chair by finnish star designer Ilmari Tapiovaara for the manufacturer ASKO. Model name: Mademoiselle firstly designed in 1956.Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBirch