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"Aulanko" Armchair by Märta Blomstedt for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1930s

About the Item

The Finnish architect and designer, Märta Blomstedt, was one of the driving forces of the Finnish functionalism movement. Her first works were noted for their functional, rather than decorative appearance, which clearly changed as evidence by these famous “Aulanko” armchairs. Blomstedt designed all aspects of her buildings including the furnishings, demonstrated in one of her most noted designs of the Hotel Aulanko. The hotel was conceived as a single work of art and the furnishings, dishes and textiles were part of the project. This model – designed in 1939 - got its name after this architectural project and was specifically designed for the lobby of the hotel in Hämeenlinna, Finland. While it has been stated before that this model was heavily inspired by Danish designer, Fleming Lassen's genre-defining 'Tired Man' wing chair from 1935, the “Aulanko” became world-famous in its own right. Most notable is the voluminous body that stands on four bun shaped feet. While this model originally had tubular steel legs, various iterations were produced for the hotel over the subsequent decades. This version with spherical wooden bun feet is one of the earliest examples created and until the late 1940s, Artek marketed this version of the armchair. The flowing, round lines are beautifully accentuated by the light sheepskin. Furthermore, the warm brown colour of the wooden feet nicely contrasts to the soft, light colour of the upholstery, creating a cosy look, not to mention that wooden bun feet make a long-lasting, rock solid foundation for any chair. The large curves and rounded edges of the body and feet are very inviting, asking the user to be embraced by the soft sheepskin. The Aulanko Hotel in Hämeenlinna (the city of Jean Sibelius) was in its time a luxury hotel of international relevance. In this “Aulanko” chair, Finnish functionalist elegance, and Blomstetdt’s artistry is conveyed at its best. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in premium sheepskin. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 41.73 in W x 42.51 in D x 34.64 in H; Seat height 16.14 in 106 cm W x 108 cm D x 88 cm H; Seat height 41 cm Literature: "Hotel Aulanko bei Tavastehus (Hämeenlinna): Architekten Märta Blomstedt und Matti Lampén," Das Werk: Architektur und Kunst = L'oeuvre: architecture et art, no. 27, 1940, p. 95 for a similar example About the designer: Märta Blomstedt (1899–1982) was an architect and one of the driving forces of the Finnish functionalism movement. She studied architecture at the Helsinki University of Technology and graduated as an architect in 1922. After graduating from the Helsinki University of Technology, Blomstedt (born von Willebrand) worked in several architecture agencies in the city of Turku in 1922 before undertake ambitious travel in Italy and in France until 1929. After her husband's death, initially she formed a firm with Matti Lampén to complete projects her husband and she had begun. Later, she and Lampén established a firm designing their own creations. Among the works Blomstedt and Lampén designed were the Hotel Aulanko in Hämeenlinna. She approached her projects holistically and designs all aspects of it, perhaps the best example being the Hotel Aulanko in Hämeenlinna, Finland. The hotel Aulanko was designed as a work of art with the furnishings, dishes and textiles being a part of the building concept. The hotel was completed in 1939, and was a shining example of Finnish functionalism with furnishings by Artek, Taito and Stockmann. Märta Blomstedt contributed with a now highly sought after chair. The chairs made for the hotel, approximately 30 models, were created by cabinetmaker Arvo Laine in Hämeenlinna. After Lampén’s passing, Blomstedt established a partnership with Olli Penttilä and continued to work into the 1970s as Blomstedt & Penttilä until her death in 1982. Shipping: This "Aulanko" armchair will be packed and shipped with the greatest care to make sure you will receive the item in gallery condition. Complimentary shipping within the Netherlands.

Creator:
Märta Blomstedt (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 34.65 in (88 cm)Width: 41.74 in (106 cm)Depth: 42.52 in (108 cm)Seat Height: 16.15 in (41 cm)
Style:
Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Sheepskin,Wood
Place of Origin:
Finland
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
1930s
Condition:
Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in premium sheepskin.
Seller Location:
Utrecht, NL
Reference Number:
Seller: 202106851stDibs: LU2947327799132

Shop All Märta Blomstedt

Märta Blomstedt

Designed in partnership with architect Matti Lampén, the strikingly modernist Hotel Aulanko in Hämeenlinna — as well as the impossibly plush, sheepskin-upholstered Aulanko armchairs for the project — is just one of the many examples of architect and furniture designer Märta Blomstedt’s contributions to the functionalist movement in Finland during the 20th century.

Born in the city of Turku, Blomstedt studied architecture and graduated from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1922. She married fellow student Pauli Blomstedt and together they established an architectural firm. They completed the Finnish Savings Bank in Helsinki and began work on the Hotel Pohjanhovi in Kannonkoski and the small Kannonkoski Church when Pauli died in 1935.

Matti Lampén, another architect who worked on the bank, aided Blomstedt in completing much of her husband’s unfinished work including the Yaskelyaynena Cottage — a Russian heritage building — and the Pohjanhovi Hotel. In 1938, the pair opened a firm together, Blomstedt & Lampén, and designed the Hotel Aulanko and took on a number of WWII restorations, builds and renovations including the Lindström and Sörnäisten Factory and the Pajarin Church.

Not unlike the well-known SAS Royal Hotel designed decades later in Denmark by Arne Jacobsen, Hotel Aulanko was intended to be a complete work of art, wherein the textiles and furnishings — produced by the likes of Paavo Tynell, Taito and Alvar Aalto for Artek, the company he cofounded with his wife, Aino — made up part of the whole.

Prior to Lampén’s death, Blomstedt & Lampén initiated work on a large city plan for the Oravikoski Mining Community which included housing units, apartment buildings, row houses and detached homes as well as community buildings like a cinema, nursery school and sauna. Blomstedt brought in architect Olli Penttilä to help complete the project. Blomstedt and Penttilä went on to design the Vuorimiehentie II building on Blomstedt’s old university campus as well as apartments in Oulu, Finland.

Today, Blomstedt’s 1930s-era Aulanko sheepskin lounge chairs — which may have been inspired by Danish designer Fleming Lassen's Tired Man armchair — remain highly sought after for their historical significance and quality. As an active member of the Finnish Association of Architects and founding member of the 1943 Association of Women Architects, Märta Blomstedt leaves behind a legacy of important milestones for female designers, Finnish architecture and Scandinavian modernism.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Märta Blomstedt seating and other furniture.

Pair of Märta Blomstedt easy chairs. Legs in stained ash and upholstered in sheepskin. Model designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chairs are newly refinished an upholstere...

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