Mid-Century Modern Sofa Set by Ilmari Lappalainen for Asko, Settee, Sheepskin

Sofa by Stendig, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid Century Modern, Labeled. A rare Mid Century Modern sofa by Stendig, made in Switzerland, in a new sheepskin style boucle, thick and rich with fully redone cushions. The box form mid century modern design is supported by a group of heavy chrome circular disk like feet. This sofa has a matching pair of box chairs, fully redone to match, sold separately. Seat height 18 inches. lhSX Stendig Co. played a pivotal role in introducing modern European furniture to the American market, thanks to the business acumen of founder Charles Stendig. Around 1950, the Brooklyn, New York–born Stendig (b. 1924) worked for Raymor, a purveyor of modern china and accessories that is best known for distributing designer Russel Wright’s American Modern line of ceramics. While at Raymor, Stendig focused on the company’s less popular pieces that were made in Italy and Scandinavia, recognizing their potential for the American market. In 1955, he left the company and decided to establish Stendig Co. In 1956, the first Stendig Co. showroom opened in Manhattan. A year later, during a trip to Zurich, Stendig came across a Bauhaus–inspired furniture store featuring pieces by Swiss designers Kurt Thut, Hans Eichenberger and Robert Haussmann, the store’s co-owner. Following a meeting with Haussmann, Stendig became the retailer’s exclusive U.S. distributor. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Stendig Co. imported and sold furniture...

Bernard Brunier, French Mid-Century Modern, Rosewood, Suede, Rare Sofa Set, France, 1960s Rare and important 'Viborg' lounge chairs and settee designed by Bernard Brunier and edited...

Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa by Guglielmo Ulrich, Art Deco Style, Boucle, 1940s Italian organic form sofa or settee by architect, designer and pa...

Pair Stendig arm chairs, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid-Century Modern A rare pair of Stendig made in Switzerland arm chairs in a new sheep...

The “Laila” models from the series by the Finnish designer Ilmari Lappalainen originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection. Designed in the halcyon phase of what we know today as mid-century modern, this charming sofa is a unique evidence of how traditional Finnish craftsmanship was brought into modernism. This sofa is from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic mid-century modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating that it prevented back problems. As an essentially Finnish modern piece, this sofa is built around the core characteristics of the era: gently rounded edges, tapered wooden legs, and a generous, fully upholstered body. The style was modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushion and back with three large tufted buttons. In the absence of ornamentation, the three large tufted buttons on the back stand out, creating depth as they sink into the textured green fabric. The design has the “classic Nordic look”, which explains the contemporary popularity of this sofa both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the textured, premium upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well. Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. This sofa was created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930 the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s Laila...

Excellent condition. Newly reupholstered in honey colored sheepskin. Set of 2 available. Listed price is for a single.

Origin: Finland Designer: Ilmari Lappalainen Manufacturer: Asko Era: 1960s Materials: Vinyl, Teak Measurements: 24 wide x 19? deep x 29 tall, seat 17 tall.   

Pair of Finnish 'Laila' armchairs (model ‘238’), designed by Ilmari Lappalainen, 1948. Manufactured by Asko in Finland, late 1940s. Legs in wood, newly upholstered in sahara sheepski...