Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17

Kolmiojalka Bench by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs for Puunveisto Oy, Finland 1950s

About the Item

At the Tenth Milan Triennial in 1954, Finland received the largest relative proportion of available prizes. The amount was even more than those eight prizes the country collected at a previous Triennial in 1951, when it made its initial break-through in the international exhibitions of design. A new era had begun: The 1950s and 1960s became known as the golden age of Finnish design and also of designer, Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs. Distinctive and original furniture characterize the Finnish mid-century, with immediately recognizable features such as the legs of this so-called “Kolmiojalka” (triangular foot) or simply ‘TV bench”. The Kolmiojalka bench is part of the Kolmiojalka series designed by Hiort af Ornäs in the 1950s. Hiort af Ornäs believed in craftsmanship, quality and refined finishing. The details of the Kolmiojalka bench make it an eye-catching classic. Many of Hiort af Ornäs’s designs aimed for multiple uses. This model is also versatile due to its airy and light structure, and it forms a whole family of products: It can be used as a table, a bench, or as a stand for a television or even books. An upholstered version of this model also exists that was used at the end of beds and waiting rooms. Regardless of where and how it is used, it beautifully emphasizes the objects placed on it. The beautifully finished details make this bench an eye-catching classic. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some minor marks and scratches on wood. Dimensions: 70.87 in W x 18.89 in D x 15.35 in H 180 cm W x 48 cm D x 39 cm H About the designer: Carl-Gustaf Vilhelm (nicknamed “Nalle”) Hiort of Ornäs was born on 27 February 1911 and lived most of his life in Tapiola/Espoo in Finland, and in his later life moved to Spain. He is remembered as a Finnish interior architect and designer known to be uncompromising. Before the Finnish wars (1939-1944), Hiort af Ornäs spent his time in Pori, working at Björneborgs Mekaniska Verkstad. He studied at the Helsinki University of Technology to become an architect, but never graduated. He did, however, become known as an interior designer, and eventually even more known as a furniture designer. In 1945, Hiort af Ornäs founded the furniture company Puunveisto Oy, for which he developed versatile techniques for shaping plywood. He started the furniture manufacturing shop on Lauttasaari in Helsinki (Veneentekijäntie 14) together with his brother. The wood shop, showroom and office were all located in the same building in Helsinki. Rolf Mesterton was the man in charge of producing the furniture, but there were several other carpenters at work in the woodshop. Hiort af Ornäs’s furniture was exhibited and sold by the shop Nupponen who also distributed Olavi Hänninen’s designs, while Puunveisto’s furniture were also sold by Gösta Westerbergs Möbler in Stockholm, Sweden, but despite a good selection of chairs, tables and shelves, did not do too well. Since production costs were high, Hiort af Ornäs faced economic troubles. The company was later sold to Nupponen after which Hiort af Ornäs’s interest in the company waned. Hiort af Ornäs spent his retirement in Spain, and designed several buildings for Fuengirola’s Los Pacos neighbourhood, which has a large Finnish population. His house that he drew and built in Tapiola, Espoo, Finland, ‘Villa Hiort’, still stands and houses some of the designer’s original drawings. It is a beautiful example of 1950s Modernism and the talent of Hiort af Ornäs that brought him recognition that lasts to this day. ~H.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 15.36 in (39 cm)Width: 70.87 in (180 cm)Depth: 18.9 in (48 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1950s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Some minor marks and scratches on wood.
  • Seller Location:
    Utrecht, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 202108771stDibs: LU2947338757692

More From This Seller

View All
"Trienna" Sofa by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs for Puunveisto Oy, Finland 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Puunveisto OY
Located in Utrecht, NL
At the Tenth Milan Triennial in 1954, Finland received the largest relative proportion of available prizes. The amount was even more than those eight prizes the country collected at ...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

"Rialto" Chair by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs for Puunveisto Oy, Finland 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Puunveisto OY
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Rialto” easy chair is an exceptional model thanks to its amazing woven back. The design showcases the expertly calculated balance of functionality and form that defined the desi...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs Oak Easy Chair for Puunveisto Helsinki, Finland 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Utrecht, NL
This rare oak easy chair showcases the homely curviness that defined the design of the 1950s in the Nordic countries. Hiort af Ornäs developed the model for his own furniture company...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Oak, Velvet

Carl Gustaf Hiort Af Ornäs Armchair for Hiort Tuote Puunveisto, Finland Mid-1940
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Utrecht, NL
The seating designs of the architect/designer, Carl Gustaf Hiort Af Ornäs, have been gradually more and more recognized world-wide, which resulted in the recent exhibition titled “Fo...
Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

“Pedro” Armchairs by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Finland 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Puunveisto OY
Located in Utrecht, NL
These “Pedro” armchairs show the homely curviness that defined the design of the 1950s. Hiort af Ornäs developed this model for his own furniture company, Puunveisto Oy. The Pedro m...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Oak Easy Chairs by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Finland 1950s
By Puunveisto OY, Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Utrecht, NL
This pair of rare oak easy chairs showcases the homely curviness that defined the design of the 1950s in the Nordic countries. Hiort af Ornäs developed the model for his own furnitur...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

You May Also Like

1940S ARMCHAIR by CARL GUSTAF HIORT AF ORNÄS FOR HIORT TUOTE PUUNVEISTO, FINLAND
By Hiort Tuote Puunveisto, Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in New York, NY
Finnish interior architect, Carl Gustaf Hiort Af Ornäs designed modernist 1940s armchair with a high rounded back, detailed with a rolled edge. Four solid stained wood wedge shaped l...
Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Bentwood

Lounge Chair - Carl Gustaf Hiort Af Ornäs - "Siesta" - Puunveisto Oy - Sheepskin
By Puunveisto OY, Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Stockholm, SE
One of my favourite chairs, the "Siesta-chair" designed in 1952 by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs at Puunveisto Oy in Finland. This chair is reupholstered in sheepskin and is in excellen...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Teak

Rare Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs Armchair, Hiort Tuote Puunveisto, Finland, 1940s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Hiort Tuote Puunveisto
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptionally rare armchair was designed by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs in the 1940s and produced by his company, Hiort Tuote Puunveisto, in Finland. It is one of Hiort af Ornäs'...
Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech

Sofa Model 'Trienna' by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Finland, 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Stockholm, SE
Walnut and black leather. Good vintage condition with signs of usage and patina.
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Carl-Gustaf Hiort Af Ornäs Siesta Armchair in Teak & Sheepskin Puunveisto 1950s
By Puunveisto OY, Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Helsinki, FI
Carl-Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs was known as the master of shapes. It's said that in his designs he always strived to make the objects beautiful from all ang...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood

Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs Easy Chairs Model Rialto by Puunveisto in Finland
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs model Rialto designed by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs. Produced by Puunveisto in Finland.
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Wool, Ash

Recently Viewed

View All