Peter Opsvik "Cylindra" Pine Barrel Chairs, Norway 1980s

The influence of Chinese design on the West has been subtle, almost by osmosis, but we can see references in much of western art and design. Much of Europe has long had a magpie tradition of taking from the different cultures it has come into contact with in its past, furniture being no exception. Similar to European Chinoiseries, Britain formulated an Anglo-Chinese style that copied Chinese models yet adhered to British fashions affecting furniture design. The resulting aesthetic is quite unique and has evolved much in the past decades as demonstrated by these armchairs. These solid, exotic wood chairs...

This “kubbstol” or “kubbestol” is a traditional Scandinavian chair made from a log. The kubbestol was quite common in some districts of Norway from about 1750 to 1960, where it was usually made from logs with significant girth and three to four feet in length. The tree trunk was hollowed out so that the base (from the seat down) would be cylindrical while the back of the chair continues upward from the seat in a curved shield that makes the chair both snug and comfortable. Most, but not all, kubbestols were decorated with carving, painting, or some combination of the two. This chair has beautiful folk patterns hand carved into it, with visible, raw craftsmanship. Carved and painted decorations would differ from district to district and styles changed over time. While the log is seemingly roughly shaped, this chair is surprisingly comfortable, as functionality has been historically important for Scandinavian furniture makers. The kubbestol was often placed next to the open-hearth fireplace or next to the bed, and it was reserved for the head of the household. Large, impressive farmhouses might have had several richly carved and painted kubbestols as a display of wealth and status. These days the log chair has become a symbol of Scandinavian roots for many families with ties to Norway, Sweden, or Denmark. The kubbestol is a reminder of our rural heritage and a time when most things in and around the home were made by hand from materials found in nature. Essentially a chair hewn from a tree trunk, this chair is as closely associated with Norway as Peer Gynt...

These “Ekerö” chairs are often compared to Axel Einar Hjorth’s Utö model, and not without a reason. These models are often mentioned together thanks to their material and visual rese...

This one-of-a-kind pair stands as evidence to the enduring charm of handcrafted furniture. These chairs tell a story of craftsmanship, history, and the timeless appeal of rustic beau...

In this listing you will find am exceptionally rare "Gravity Balans" chair design by Peter Opsvik for Varier. This iconic piece features futuristic design easily recognized, it is ex...

Two 1980s Norwegian armchairs by Peter Opsvik in beechwood and fabric; three round independent fabric-covered spheres at lower back.

c. 1999. Edition 231/500. Full wood construction with reclining backrest. Rope provided is very long. Extremely rare chair. Original teepee included

Globe Chair by Peter Opsvik for Stokke, Norway, 1980s. Also referred to as ball or basketball chair. Original grey leather with some darkening to the seat (see photos). Minor wear...