A Pair of Pine and Iron Armchairs for Åby Möbelfabrik, Sweden 1940s

While they play a prominent role in both architecture and pop culture, rocking chairs solidified their place in Scandinavian design history as well. As this Swedish model proves, functionality can manifest in many forms, but it is always accompanied by both great material and aesthetic quality in Swedish design. Taking influence from the golden age of modernism in Sweden and the 1930s’ cabin furniture, this rocking chair was made in the famous “sportstugemöbel” style, originally intended for Swedish summer houses. Solid pine was the preferred material in this specific style and some of the most prominent Swedish designers created models for these summer residencies, including Axel Einar Hjorth and Carl Malmsten. Functionality and longevity were the guiding principles for the style, and accordingly, for this rocking chair as well. The pine structure is very polished and firm, assembled with an expert joinery technique. The seat is ergonomically carved, and the edges are gently rounded for maximum comfort. Åby furniture...

Danish Modern focused more on the aesthetics of modern design whilst employing the exquisite technique and material familiarity of highly skilled craftsmen known as cabinetmakers. Alfred Christensen’s present armchair in this style is a rare and exquisite example of this. Clean and pure lines define this armchair that are coupled with expert craftsmanship and delicate research into proportions, materials and the requirements of the human body, adapting design to modern-day needs. Adopting the trend of abandoning ornamentation to benefit the form, Christensen maintained the beauty and warmth inherent to traditional Danish cabinetmaking. In consequence, this armchair has a beautiful, warm look with rounded edges and an open look. The only ornamentation is the piping cord that runs along the edges of the body. The unique colour of the velour upholstery in combination with the dark, stained beech legs create warm elegance, perfect to bring a modern touch to any space. While Danish designers, including Alfred Christensen, had many principles, above all, all designers...

The expression “Swedish Modern” was first used in the 1930s, when modern Swedish design was becoming increasingly well known in Europe and the United States. It was at its height in ...

The term Swedish Modern was quickly established as a reinterpretation of modernity during the 1940s, and the new Swedish Modern style, early and square functionalism was replaced by ...

Attributed to Bertil Fridhagen and produced by Svenska Möbelfabrikerna, Bodafors, Sweden, 1940s. Signed. Good original condition with small signs of usage.

A pair of dark-stained pine, black-painted iron and off-white fabric lounge chairs designed and produced by Åby Möbelfabrik, Sweden, c. 1930s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.9“ H x...

A pair of Swedish Modern upholstered armchairs, Circa1940s, with wool and linen upholstery, loose seat cushions, raised on circular turned legs with brass caps.

Charming pair of armchairs in dark stained pinewood with seats of woven seagrass. The chairs are made in Denmark in the 1930-40s and have never been refinished. The design is simplis...