"Ilona" Arne Norell Sofa and Chair Set
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"Ilona" Arne Norell Sofa and Chair Set
About the Item
Curved lengths of sturdy Jacaranda wood, leather harnesses, beefy brass buckles and cushions to sink into... beauty for the eye and style for the senses and comfort for the bod. Vintage pieces have character. Vintage leather sometimes comes to us dry and cracked, this leather has been kept in good condition; it shows age but is solid. The wood is in excellent condition. The buckles have some tarnishing (which we prefer to the bright shiny alternative). The cushions appear to have been remade in the 1970s, they are not in perfect condition, showing areas of wear, and can certainly be remade and improved upon... but we like this original fabric so much we've left them as they are to let the customer decide. The "Ilona" sofa and chair, designed by Arne Norell,1971. Manufactured by Mobel AB. Sofa: 29" H x 86" L x 37" D Chair: 29" H x 32" L x 32" D
- Creator:Arne Norell (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 86 in (218.44 cm)Depth: 37 in (93.98 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: U1209239219185
Arne Norell
Arne Norell’s enduring designs mixed leather and metal as well as turned wood and bentwood in pieces that allowed the natural beauty of these materials to shine. Simple and casual yet sophisticated, his vintage sofas, lounge chairs and other furniture epitomize the Scandinavian modern style that took post–World War II design by storm.
Although he created versatile furnishings that promoted comfort along with style, Norell is lesser known than many other mid-century designers, with some of his work produced only after his death. Born in Åsele, Sweden, Norell opened a furniture workshop in Solna, just north of Stockholm, in 1954. In 1958, he established Møbel AB Arne Norell on a farm in Småland. (This region is also the birthplace of IKEA, which opened its first store that same year.) The beauty and tranquility of this location were a source of inspiration.
In Småland, Norell created his most well-known designs, among them the Inca armchair with visible wooden dowels and plush leather, the Indra and Ilona sofas and the spare but elegant wood-framed Sirocco chair (1964). For many of his designs, Norell looked to the same military-style campaign furniture that had, decades prior, inspired the revered Safari chair (1933) crafted by Kaare Klint, a legendary Danish designer and Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts professor who taught the likes of Hans Wegner, Ole Wanscher and others.
Like these earlier furniture designers, Norell was committed to making comfortable and practical furniture. Using leather and warm woods as the building blocks of his work, he eschewed glue and screws, instead securing his designs with buckles and leather straps. In 1973, Norell earned posthumous recognition from the British Furniture Manufacturers Association for his sumptuous Ari chair, a luxurious lounge set on a chrome-plated steel frame with foam cushions covered in leather.
During his lifetime, Norell’s work was popular among European interior designers. However, it became more widely known after 1971, when many of his designs were finally put into production. Norell’s furnishings, as well as work by his daughter Marie Norell-Möller and other Swedish designers, are still crafted by hand in the Aneby, Sweden, factory operated by Norell Furniture, which has remained a family-run company.
Find a collection of authentic vintage Arne Norell furniture today on 1stDibs.
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