Set of Four Sculptural Dining Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westofa, Norway
View Similar Items
Set of Four Sculptural Dining Chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Westofa, Norway
About the Item
- Creator:Westnofa Furniture (Maker),Torstein Nilsen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.26 in (87 cm)Width: 21.66 in (55 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. very goos condition.
- Seller Location:Frankfurt / Dreieich, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU980819799502
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.
- 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 - 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
- Torstein Nilson for Westnofa Totem Dining Table with Six ChairsBy Westnofa Furniture, Torstein NilsenLocated 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 - 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
- Pair of Locust chairs by Torstein Nilsen for Møremøbler AS 1982By Torstein Nilsen, MøremøblerLocated in Benalmadena, ESPair of portable folding chairs designed in 1982 by Torstein Nilsen initially for Kalvatn Møbelindustri and produced in 1984 by Møremøbler AS, made of black lacquered beech, with sup...Category
Vintage 1980s Norwegian Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$698 Sale Price20% Off - Set of 6 westnofa bentwood dining chairs NorwayBy Westnofa FurnitureLocated in BROOKLYN, NYSet of 6 westnofa black Lacquer bentwood dining chairs made in Norway. Great all original set of bentwood Westnofa dining chairs that have zinc coated bent steel tube legs with black...Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$3,000 / set