Folke Ohlsson Rocking Recliner DUX Made in Sweden
View Similar Items
Folke Ohlsson Rocking Recliner DUX Made in Sweden
About the Item
- Creator:Folke Ohlsson (Designer),Dux of Sweden (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 37 in (93.98 cm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)Depth: 29 in (73.66 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Structurally sound and sturdy, upholstery as is.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU978722343012
Folke Ohlsson
Folke Ohlsson pioneered the “knock-down” revolution of furniture, making the innovative flat-pack means of manufacturing and shipping common practice. Credited with playing a significant part in bringing Scandinavian modern forms to the United States, he was an international designer who created attractive pieces that are highly coveted by today’s collectors.
In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). While leading the design team for Studio Ljungs Industrier in his native Malmö, Ohlsson visited the West Coast of the United States in 1950 and opened DUX Inc., to expand the company’s global footprint. DUX put into practice an idea that Ohlsson patented for the so-called “knock-down,” or “KD,” chair, a term referencing easy, flat-pack assembly. It saved DUX space in warehouses and money on transportation and was a concept that would inspire hundreds of subsequent companies — most notably fellow Swedish brand IKEA.
Integrating American upholstery with Swedish knock-down hardware and wooden frames, Ohlsson and DUX revolutionized the furniture industry. The manufacturer consistently worked with brilliant mid-century modern designers — among them Bruno Mathsson, Edward Wormley and Alf Svensson — expanding the brand’s portfolio and establishing credibility as a design source. Today vintage DUX sofas and dining chairs are valuable collector’s items, and the space-saving attributes and efficiency associated with the company’s modular designs continue to influence manufacturers all over the world.
Partly because of the affordability of DUX’s furniture — as well as an understandable affinity for the simplicity, warmth and coziness of Scandinavian modern design — postwar America embraced Ohlsson’s vision. One of Ohlsson’s best-known designs is the Profil lounge chair, built on a teak frame that can rock or recline with the push of a lever, while the wool bouclé upholstery is sumptuous and stylish. Another iconic collection is the clean, minimal Pasadena set of sofas, footstools and armchairs, fashioned from solid walnut with brass sabots.
The Milano Triennale and the “Good Design” exhibition series at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art distinguished Ohlsson with more than 30 awards. In 1964, he was honored with Sweden’s Royal Order of Vasa decoration by King Gustav VI Adolf because of his role in exporting modern Scandinavian aesthetics to America. Ohlsson’s designs were also produced by Bodafors and Fritz Hansen.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of Folke Ohlsson seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
Dux of Sweden
Today, Swedish manufacturer DUX’s most popular furniture lines — as well as the furnishings created by its first president, Folke Ohlsson — are synonymous with the work that vintage mid-century modern design obsessives love. Also important, the brand is known for some of the most commonplace means of furniture shipping and production in the modern era.
In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). Initially a purveyor of bedding that is today celebrated for its ergonomically guided designs, Ljungs Industrier was founded by entrepreneur (and chocolate maker) Efraim Ljung in 1926. In 1950, Folke Ohlsson, then leading Ljungs Industrier’s design team, decamped to the States to explore how he could expand DUX’s business, which at that point included a wide range of furniture. Ohlsson established a DUX office not long after he arrived in California, first in San Francisco and later in Burlingame.
On the West Coast, the booming postwar American market was eager to embrace DUX’s affordable and practical bedroom furnishings, tables, armchairs and other seating. Characterized by sleek walnut and teak frames and low-slung silhouettes, the brand’s designs were emblematic of a generation of Scandinavian modernism that had gained popularity owing to visionaries such as product designer and architect Greta Magnusson-Grossman, who arrived in California from Sweden a decade prior to Ohlsson, and Finn Juhl, who created a Danish modern line for Michigan’s Baker Furniture Company in 1951.
DUX frequently collaborated with top-tier furniture design talent — among them Bruno Mathsson, Edward Wormley and Alf Svensson, a chief designer in the Malmö, Sweden, office of Ljungs Industrier — expanding the brand’s portfolio and establishing credibility as a design source. Ohlsson’s own designs, such as his comfortable leather lounges and wool-upholstered reclining rocking chairs, continue to be among the brand’s most desirable — and most imitated — however.
In 1949, DUX put into practice an idea that Ohlsson patented for the so-called “knock-down,” or “KD,” chair, a term referencing easy, flat-pack assembly. It saved DUX space in warehouses and money on transportation and was a concept that would provide inspiration to hundreds of subsequent companies — most notably fellow Swedish brand IKEA.
Today, vintage DUX sofas and dining chairs are valuable collector’s items. Find this coveted seating and other authentic DUX furniture on 1stDibs.
- Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair by DUX of Sweden in Cheetah Print FabricBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in New York, NYChic Folke Ohlsson lounge chair in dramatic cheetah print fabric, on exposed teak frame. This example is in very good, clean and original condition. Designed by Folke Ohlsson, for DU...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Mid Century Folke Ohlsson for DUX Scissor Chair Made in Sweden c 1960'sBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in New York, NYIconic Mid Century Scandinavian Modern design by Folke Ohlsson, for Dux, circa 1960's. The chair, known as the Scissor Chair, features a sleek architectural frame of solid beech wood...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Child’s Thonet Rocking ChairBy ThonetLocated in New York, NYStylish child’s bentwood rocking chair attached to Thonet. This example is in very good original condition showing only light wear normal and consistent with age. Measures: Total H ...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
MaterialsCane, Bentwood
- Large Bamboo Rocking Chair after AlbiniBy Franco Albini, ThonetLocated in New York, NYIncredible stylish over scale midcentury continuous arm rocking chair, after Thonet and Albini. Bent bamboo frame, with original cane and wicker seat and back. This example is in ver...Category
Mid-20th Century Korean Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsBamboo, Cane
- Modernist Chrome and Caned Rocking ChairBy Milo Baughman, Max SauzeLocated in New York, NYHigh style post modern design rocking chair having a chrome frame, with caned seat and back rest, with solid wood armrests. Design reminiscent of Milo Baughman, and Max Suaze, probab...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- 4 Mid Century Rocking Chairs by ThonetBy ThonetLocated in New York, NYUnusual and rare model Thonet wood, aluminum and vinyl rocking chairs, total of four available, three in green vinyl, one in turquoise vinyl uphol...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
$675 / item
- Mid-Century Reclining Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUXBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Brooklyn, NYImpressive vintage modern lounge chair features a solid walnut frame, a high backrest, and thick padded cushions. Sleek design with sculpted arm rests and angled legs conveniently re...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$1,260 Sale Price47% Off - Mid-Century Modern Recliner by Folke Ohlsson for Dux in TeakBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Belmont, MAThis mid-century modern easy chair / recliner by Folke Olsson is upholstered with the original faux leather and was manufactured by Dux of Sweden in the 1...Category
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Lounge chairs by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960sBy Dux of Sweden, Folke OhlssonLocated in Eskilstuna, SEFolke Ohlssons classic lounge chair 'USA 75', produced by DUX, Sweden, during the 1960s. This pair is in excellent condition with a exceptional walnut frame. Upholstered in high qua...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair by DUXBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Highland, INClassic Scandinavian Modern by the founder of DUX in the United States– Folke Ohlsson. This lovely lounge chair has a beech frame with sculpted arms that supports loose cushions newl...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Birch
- Expertly Restored - Folke Ohlsson Teak Reclining Chair with Ottoman for DuxBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Foam, Teak
- Folke Ohlsson for Dux Scissor ChairsBy Dux of Sweden, Folke OhlssonLocated in Philadelphia, PAFolke Ohlsson for DUX of Sweden Pair of Scissor Chairs. Oak frames with slat backs and removable Upholstered Cushions. Chairs were reupholstered about 15 years ago. Fabric still l...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
$4,200 / set