Ilmari Tapiovaara Lounge Chair in Teak
View Similar Items
Ilmari Tapiovaara Lounge Chair in Teak
About the Item
- Creator:Ilmari Tapiovaara (Designer),Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 27.56 in (70 cm)Depth: 32.68 in (83 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1957
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftsmen in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. We guarantee a very high quality standard, ask our design specialists for detailed information.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: 450020821stDibs: LU933124946862
Ilmari Tapiovaara
During the mid-20th century, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked with pine, teak and his country’s native birch to create sleek and sculptural chairs, dining room tables and bookcases in the Scandinavian modern style. Tapiovaara’s areas of expertise expanded beyond furniture to include interior architecture, wooden sculptures, film posters and cutlery.
After completing his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, Tapiovaara embarked on a design career that would envelop his entire life. As a young man, Tapiovaara idolized revered architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto — whom, with his wife, Aino Aalto, cofounded Artek, the company that would eventually manufacture the majority of Tapiovaara’s creations. The budding designer had one of Aalto’s chairs in his apartment while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as an assistant in an office at Le Corbusier, then as a designer and artistic director at Asko.
By 1951, Tapiovaara and his wife, Annikki, had established their own studio. A few years previous, the pair had designed the now-legendary Domus chair while creating interiors and furnishings for a new student housing complex in Helsinki. Made of molded plywood and easily stackable, the ergonomic Domus chair, with its slender form, featured a modest silhouette — its lightweight structure allowed for easy exporting, and iconic mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Knoll added a low-backed version to its offerings in the early 1950s. (It was marketed as the Finn chair in the United States.)
Tapiovaara went on to design pieces for Pihlgren ja Ritola and Santa and Cole. His experience earned him teaching positions at the Institute of Applied Arts, the Helsinki University of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology. While in Chicago for the latter, he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Tapiovaara centered his passion for design on social responsibility. He wanted his creations to be accessible to everyone, which was the concept behind his democratic approach. In Finland’s postwar era, the goal was exemplary, affordable designs. With this in mind, he created products such as stackable chairs and “knock-down” pieces packed flat, so they shipped efficiently and cost less.
An influential champion of his profession, he spent two decades as a United Nations ambassador, working to improve design’s contribution to society. His lasting, collectible furniture is a testament to the designer’s goal to create humane, radiant and intimate spaces. The United Nations project included traveling to Paraguay to create much-needed furniture. A similar project followed in Mauritius.
Tapiovaara’s success as an industrial and mass producer of everyday furniture was widely recognized and awarded. He received six gold medals for his chairs alone at the Milan Triennials. He also accepted a Good Design award, the Finnish State Design Award, a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation and the Furniture Prize of the SIO Interior Architects’ Association of Finland.
Find vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, tables and lighting on 1stDibs.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- Ilmari Tapiovaara for Artek Lounge Chair 'Domus Lux' in BirchBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, ArtekLocated in Waalwijk, NLIlmari Tapiovaara for Artek, lounge chair model 'Domus Lux', lacquered wood, birch, Finland, designed in 1948, recent production. This wonderfully sculpted lounge chair is characte...Category
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood, Birch
- Ilmari Tapiovaara Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather and Light Blue UpholsteryBy Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, Paolo Arnaboldi, Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Waalwijk, NLIlmari Tapiovaara for Esposizione La Permanente Mobili manufactured by Paolo Arnaboldi, sofa, teak, leather, brass, fabric, Italy, 1957. This three-seat sofa is designed by Finnish...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Ilmari Tapiovaara Set of Four ‘Domus’ Dining Chairs in Black Stained TeakBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Waalwijk, NLIlmari Tapiovaara, set of four armchairs, stained teak, metal, Finland, 1953 This is a wonderful set of early ‘Domus’ armchairs by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara. Executed in a ...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Ilmari Tapiovaara Set of Six ‘Domus’ Dining Chairs in Black Stained TeakBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Waalwijk, NLIlmari Tapiovaara, set of six armchairs, stained teak, metal, Finland, 1953 This is a wonderful set of early ‘Domus’ armchairs by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara. Executed in a b...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Lounge Set in Red Velvet and BrassLocated in Waalwijk, NLLounge set, red velvet, brass, Italy, 1950s. This set is an iconic example of Italian design from the fifties. Organic and sculptural, the two-seat sofa and two matching lounge ch...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
$8,700 / set - Aldo Barberi for Rossi di Albizzate ‘Break’ Portable Folding Lounge ChairsBy Rossi di Albizzate, Aldo BarberiLocated in Waalwijk, NLAldo Barberi for Rossi di Albizzate, ‘Break’ folding lounge chairs, plastic, fabric, Italy, 1970s This exceptional set of portable folding lounge chairs is designed by the Italian designer Aldo Barberi for his series called ‘Break’. This design truly resembles the ethos of the seventies, featuring the commonly used material of that time named fiberglass in combination with a striped fabric executed in the colors orange, different shades of brown, and off-white. The chairs embrace a thought through design where both functionality and aesthetics are present. The chairs fold by pulling the seat and backrest towards each other, resulting in a cubic shaped case with a handle for easy carrying. Therefore, this portable chair...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsFabric, Fiberglass
- Rare Set of 4 Tapiovaara Congo Lounge ChairsBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Munich, DEMade by Hagafors / Sweden. Two in natural wood, clear lacquered. One with removed lacquer and one lacquered black. All with various signs of use. Two part knock down construction.Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood
$5,057 Sale Price / set39% Off - Ilmari Tapiovaara Crinolette Lounge ChairBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Toronto, OntarioAn exceptional iconic chair designed by Finnish Master Ilmari Tapiovaara. A rare example of Scandinavian design. Less than 5000 of these chairs were ever created. Winner of the Ame...Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Rare Ilmari Tapiovaara Congo Lounge ChairBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, Hagafors Stolfabrik 1Located in Los Angeles, CADesigned by Ilmari Tapiovaara, manufactured by Hagafors, Sweden. Solid wood construction with black lacquer. Newley upholstered in blue leather. Two part knock down construction. Ne...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Commissioned Ilmari Tapiovaara Lounge Chairs, Merivaara 1950sBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Helsinki, FIYrjö Ilmari Tapiovaara(1914-1999) was an internationally renowned Finnish designer best known for his furnishings and textiles. In WW2, Tapiova...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Ilmari Tapiovaara, "Domus" Lounge Chair, Plywood, Finland, 1940sBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in High Point, NCA moulded plywood "Domus" lounge chair designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and produced by Keravan Puuteollisuus, Finland, 1940s. 12” seat heightCategory
Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Mid Century Modern Ilmari Tapiovaara Lounge Chair with OttomanBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Port Jervis, NYFabulous form and comfort. Designed by Tapiovaara, circa 1962. Rigid aluminum chair frame has three positions, seat lifts off frame for repositioning. Arms have flexibility, and are covered in leather. Ottoman size 22 W x 20 L x 12 H, and is original. Leather is worn and has some tears. Needs RestorationCategory
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Morentz Writes the Next Chapter for Furniture with a Storied Past
Dutch dealer Matthijs Hoveijn specializes in the best of mid-century modern design, selling it to discerning clients around the world.