Axel Larsson Twisted Cord Armchair for SMF Bodafors, Sweden 1930s

Axel Larsson was an incredibly productive Swedish furniture architect and designer with a more than 50-year long career. This armchair is a rarity, despite Larsson being most well-known for his furniture series designed for and mass-produced by SMF Bodafors. This particular chair takes inspiration from the uplifting, pared-down aesthetic of Scandinavian design. The design consists of a smooth sculptural frame crafted in curved and stained wood that frames a finely tailored seat and back. The streamlined design of the wood structure immediately stands out for its pronounced lines and airy construction. It shows off the architectural precision put into both the design and into the execution. The curve of the arms and legs - formed of a single piece of wood - defines the look and is perfectly balanced by the straight stretchers connecting the legs. The other defining feature is the obtuse angle created by the reclined position of the back and the raised seat. This angle is also followed by the frame and as a result the aesthetic is dynamic but still exudes the functional cosiness of Swedish design. There is a clear emphasis on comfort, from the tilted back to the sculpted, wide armrests and the seat cushion. The light upholstery complements that dark stained wood by creating an apparent contrast both in colour and texture. Axel Larsson also designed furniture for individual carpenters in Stockholm; these were made in small numbers, and this armchair may be one of these rare designs. Swedish Modern style is delicately scaled, using tapering legs and clever but simple solutions as seen on this chair as well. Subtitled “A Movement Towards Sanity in Design”, it also describes quality and the ability to lend grace to the daily chores of life. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric. 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: 25.59 in W x 30.31 in D x 30.9 in H; Seat height 21.65 in; Arm height 25.19 in 65 cm W x 77 cm D x 78.5 cm H; Seat height 55 cm; Arm height 64 cm About the Designer: Axel Larsson was born in 1898 in Torp socken, Sweden. Larsson was a professional for more than 50 years and belonged to a handful of furniture and interior designers who played a major role and influenced the development of their professional sphere. He grew up in Medelpad, and as a young carpenter's apprentice, he was given the opportunity to study further in Stockholm as a furniture designer through a scholarship from 1916 to 1920. In parallel with his studies at the Higher School of Art and Design, he was a furniture designer under Carl Malmsten during his work with furniture for Stockholm City Hall...

Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair’s have been reupholstered in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-hou...

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...

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