Name: Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist "Adam" Armchairs for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1950s
Brand: Kerstin Horlin Holmquist, Nordiska Kompaniet
Rating: 5 (44 reviews)

Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist "Adam" Armchairs for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1950s

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About the Item

The “Adam” chair model is from the timeless and iconic Paradise Collection from the Triva Series, which was created in 1958 by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist during her time as a designer at Nordiska Kompaniet. The name is inspired by “Paradiset” – the Swedish name for Eden. These armchairs hold a soft simplicity and a uniqueness in its appearance - light, clean lines with an air of romance. Without worrying about short-lived trends and what other people thought, Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist created the gentle, peculiar shape of these armchairs that is only increasing in popularity even today. The fully upholstered body elevates the visual comfort, with a stitch tufted backrest that is festooned with buttons arranged in a hill shape. This subtle form of decoration highlights the shape of the back by mirroring it, while also accentuating the light fabric by giving it extra depth. The stained and tapered wood legs pair perfectly with the organic form of the body. Contrasting the front legs, the back ones are lightly splayed to provide great structural stability. Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist had a unique and humanistic design vision, and because of her uncompromising attitude, the “Adam” armchairs have become iconic. Thanks to the upholstery’s soft touch that complements the aesthetic of Hörlin-Holmquist’s design, these armchairs are a perfect example of the gentle mid-century modernism Swedish design of the era is beloved for. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in premium Italian 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: 30.71 in W x 33.47 in D x 36.61 in H 78 cm W x 85 cm D x 93 cm H About the Designer: Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist was born on May 30, 1925 in Arvika, Sweden. She was a Swedish modernist architect and designer. Hörlin-Holmquist graduated from Stockholm’s Konstfack in 1952, and before that she studied and worked in England. She often worked with her husband Erik Holmquist, and together they modelled and created the pieces together. A key aspect for the couple was always to test their designs in their own home before completing a project. "I think both furniture and textiles, wherever they end up, must be kind, gentle, and courteous, but without losing their character. They should have human qualities, not be pompous and only stand alone, but be able to adapt to the environment they end up in." Hörlin-Holmquist worked and studied in England from 1946-1947 immediately after the war, where she also studied art history and became fascinated with the classic English upholstered furniture and style. Something that without a doubt inspired her own creations later in life while she still developed her own expression. She returned to Sweden where she attended Konstfack from 1948 and graduated from the school in 1952. She started working with Nordiska Kompaniet shortly after her graduation and became a lead designer. Her timeless and iconic ‘Paradiset Collection’ was created during her employment with Nordiska Kompaniet in 1956-1957 and holds a soft simplicity and a uniqueness in its appearance - light, clean lines and yet gracious with an air of romance. Today, her designs are highly treasured collectibles. She is primarily remembered, for her ability to create designs for the modern home in the 1950s without worrying about short-lived trends and what other people thought - to stay true to her own unique and humanistic design vision. ~H.

Creator:
Kerstin Horlin Holmquist (Designer),Nordiska Kompaniet (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 36.62 in (93 cm)Width: 30.71 in (78 cm)Depth: 33.47 in (85 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Fabric,Wood
Place of Origin:
Sweden
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
1950s
Condition:
Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in premium Italian 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.
Seller Location:
Utrecht, NL
Reference Number:
Seller: 202107301stDibs: LU2947338386522

Shop All Nordiska Kompaniet

Nordiska Kompaniet

Since its inception, luxury retailer Nordiska Kompaniet, known affectionately to its customers as “NK,” has offered an influential platform for innovators in furniture design. Its department stores in Stockholm and Gothenburg, Sweden, have been home to many of the top names in mid-century modern design and in Scandinavian modernism. Admired for its production of high-quality pieces, it continues to support forward-looking designers.

Nordiska Kompaniet was founded in 1902 through the merger of the companies K.M. Lundberg and Joseph Leja. Its founder, Josef Sachs, envisioned a department store as a cultural arena that would rival the luxury stores of Paris. He opened a flagship store in Stockholm in 1915. Early on, the brand set its sights on quality furniture making, bringing on master cabinetmaker Axel Einar Hjorth, who headed its production from 1927 to 1938.

The Stockholm Exhibition of 1930 was pivotal for both Nordiska Kompaniet and the world of design as a whole. NK’s installation, designed by Sven Markelius, positioned the artist as a key influencer and force majeure of Swedish functionalism.

Nordiska Kompaniet has continued to hire renowned designers throughout its operations, including such luminaries as Carl Bergsten, David Rosen and Gio Ponti. Many iconic sofas, lounge chairs, bookcases and dining room tables from the mid-century modern period originated in its furniture shop. The brand has also been at the forefront of textile, ceramic and wallpaper design, with artists Berndt Friberg, Josef Frank, Stig Lindberg and Elsa Gullberg among those who have contributed to NK’s brand legacy.

Materials

Metal

Rare pair of Swedish sculptural mid century modern armchairs model "Stora Adam / Big Adam" in beech and original dark grey fabric upholstery by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist produced by N...

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Dark Grey Mid Century "Stora Adam" Armchairs by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist, 1950s

$4,348 / set