TOTEM Chair by Torstein Nilsen Westnofa, Norway, 1980s
View Similar Items
TOTEM Chair by Torstein Nilsen Westnofa, Norway, 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Westnofa Furniture (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 87 in (220.98 cm)Width: 54.5 in (138.43 cm)Depth: 42 in (106.68 cm)
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Nagoya-Shi, JP
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7075230556932
Westnofa Furniture
While Norway comprises something of an unsung chapter in the history of Scandinavian modernism, an export company called Westnofa shouldn’t be overlooked. It represented a collective of the country’s leading manufacturers to promote and export their furniture worldwide. Westnofa was key to the success of Norway’s mid-century designers and furniture brands, and fostered the growth of entities that might otherwise be unknown to today’s design aficionados.
Norway’s furniture factories were largely destroyed during World War II, and while the country’s sophisticated works — designed in teak, pine and other prized woods — had earned a place in Scandinavian modernism, its output was overshadowed by big names such as Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen who’d earned icon status in Finland and Denmark, respectively. Westnofa, a name derived from “West Norway Factories,” took shape in the late 1950s in order to circumvent the limitations that the country’s furniture industry had faced in the areas of marketing and production. Some of the manufacturers connected to Westnofa were P.I. Langlo Møbelfabrikk, Ekornes, Stokke and Vestlandske.
Westnofa took great pains to devise the most cost-effective and efficient method of packing and shipping worldwide. Flat-pack assembly for lightweight shipping was the result. In neighboring Sweden during the late 1940s, DUX president and furniture designer Folke Ohlsson put the same idea into practice. Flat-pack assembly saved space in warehouses and money on transportation. It’s a breakthrough that survives today — namely at popular Swedish brand IKEA.
While it’s unclear if Westnofa also produced furniture in addition to exporting the goods of a group of manufacturers, some of the more well-known designers that are today mentioned alongside the company include Ingmar Relling, Torstein Nilsen and Jens Nielsen. Relling is best known for seating and his most famous piece associated with Westnofa is his high-backed Siesta chair, which features supple leather cushions atop a bentwood frame. Torstein Nilsen designed an elegant glass-topped bentwood dining table that is also commonly linked with Westnofa. Jens Nielsen created minimalist, sculptural lounge chairs in birch and plywood that are connected with the Westnofa name.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Westnofa seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
- TOA Compote by Michele De Lucchi for MarutomiBy Michele de LucchiLocated in Nagoya-Shi, 23TOA Compote by Michele De Lucchi for Marutomi. Marutomi is the lead company of "shikki" located in Sabae-Fukui, Japan. "Shikki" is a product made from "urushi" lacker which has a long history of more than 1400 years and is well known as Japanese traditional fork art to the world. Marutomi project was started in the 1990s under the direction of Masanori Umeda as the design producer. The products of this project which no longer manufactured were made by their well-matured coating skill and the aesthetic sense brought up by "urushi" They release products such as dishes, ashtrays, vases, and so on designed by Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Men...Category
1990s Japanese Post-Modern Serving Bowls
MaterialsResin, Plastic
- Ombra-A Flower Vase by Masanori Umeda for MarutomiBy Masanori UmedaLocated in Nagoya-Shi, 23OMBRA-A Flower Vase by Masanori Umeda for Marutomi. Marutomi is the lead company of "shikki" located in Sabae-Fukui, Japan. "Shikki" is a product made from "urushi" lacker which has a long history of more than 1400 years and is well known as Japanese traditional fork art to the world. Marutomi project was started in the 1990s under the direction of Masanori Umeda as the design producer. The products of this project which no longer manufactured were made by their well-matured coating skill and the aesthetic sense brought up by "urushi" They release products such as dishes, ashtrays, vases, and so on designed by Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Men...Category
1990s Japanese Post-Modern Vases
MaterialsResin, Plastic
- Horn Collection Side ChairLocated in Nagoya-Shi, 23This indoor/outdoor chair was introduced in the 1970s by the West German furniture manufacturer Horn. The chair is made of a resin-based material called polyurethane Duromar, a material developed by the company, and is very lightweight. The one-piece structure of this interesting chair...Category
Vintage 1970s German Space Age Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
$400 / item - Demetrio 70 Coffee Table by Vico Magistretti for ArtemideBy Artemide, Vico MagistrettiLocated in Nagoya-Shi, 23Vico Magistretti began his career as an architect after World War II, and in the 1960s he left behind many innovative designs as a designer. He is one of the designers who laid the foundation of the Italian mid-century period, and his designs such as the Maralunga sofa by Cassina and the Eclisse...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsPlastic, Fiberglass
- Ceramic Stone Shape BowlLocated in Nagoya-Shi, 23A Ceramic bowl from the Netherlands. It has a rock-like texture and color. You cannot put food on it, but you can decorate it with fruits and so on to create a nice atmosphere.Category
Vintage 1980s Dutch Organic Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
MaterialsCeramic
- Extraordinary Memphis Style TOTEM Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa, 1980sBy Westnofa Furniture, Torstein NilsenLocated in Schagen, NLThese sculptural Norwegian high back dining chairs were designed by Torstein Niksen for Westnofa. This Fan, or Totem chairs feature a massive Oak base with Blue and Red wool upholste...Category
Vintage 1980s Norwegian Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Totem chairs by Torstein Nislen for Westnofa, 1980sBy Westnofa Furniture, Torstein NilsenLocated in HEVERLEE, BEScandinavian Postmodern diing chairs designed by Torsten Nilsen for Westnofa. Striking design with ebonized wooden frames and fabric seats. The seats will be fully cleaned before de...Category
Vintage 1980s Norwegian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Six Danish Modern Teak Fan Back TOTEM Dining Chairs by Torstein Nilsen WestnofaLocated in Philadelphia, PASet of six vintage Mid-Century Danish modern teak fan back dining chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa with stunning whimsical form in the style of Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Set consist...Category
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsOak, Teak
- Torstein Nilson for Westnofa Totem Dining Table with Six ChairsBy Torstein Nilsen, Westnofa FurnitureLocated in Ferndale, MIDining room table with four side and two arm chairs. The table with six chairs has a post modern Memphis look in my opinion. Designed by Torstein Nilsen manufactured by Westnofa. Intricately stacked and shaped strips of laminate wood form the fan back of the chairs with wood spheres separating each of the back up rights. Dining table legs...Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBirch
$5,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Set of Four Scandinavian Modern Teak Totem Dining Chairs by Torstein NilsenBy Westnofa Furniture, Torstein NilsenLocated in San Diego, CAA very nice set of four scandinavian modern teak fan back "Totem" dining chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa Furniture, circa 1960s. The set is in very good vintage condition; th...Category
20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
$2,400 Sale Price / set20% Off - Siesta armchair by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa 1980s with puffBy Ingmar Relling, Westnofa FurnitureLocated in Milano, ITArmchair with lacquered wood footrest, foam padding, leather upholstery.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood