Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16

Mid-Century “Gamla Berlin” Easy Chair by Carl Malmsten, Sweden 1940s

About the Item

This “Old Berlin” chair is among Swedish icon, Carl Malmsten’s rarer models. The dark wood, the beautiful upholstery, and Malmsten’s timeless design makes this model a beautiful representation of Sweden’s mid-century design history. This model, like many of Malmsten’s “count chairs”, it is a simplified version of the armchair “Jonas Love”, which Carl Malmsten designed for the New York World Fair in 1939. “Break all edges thoroughly”, was a frequent instruction on Carl Malmsten’s drawings and nature was his great source of inspiration, therefore sharp edges or corners can rarely be found on his designs, including this easy chair. With a tremendous sense of proportion, this chair is very comfortable and fulfil its task to “serve well” and last for lifetimes. This Gamla, or Old Berlin chair stands out for the way in which the upholstered seat leaves the back legs exposed, without any visible joinery. The wooden tapered legs further transcend into the back, holding the back in an elegant, light manner. The backseat has an interesting lightly scalloped top and long horizontal button tufting. The light bouclé upholstery gives an elegant look with its textured look and a cosy sitting experience thanks to its softness. In 1937, Carl Malmsten designed a sofa for the Swedish diplomatic mission in Berlin. He named the sofa Berlin. Perhaps the idea of this easy chair came from the same mission. Up until the post-war era, his designs had been made at the school he started in 1930 and at a number of joinery workshops suited to artisanal production. He established contact with a group of high-quality small industries, the so-called Key Workshops. This chair, however, took form in one of his own Swedish workshops in the second half of the 1940s. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in premium sheepskin. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 24.4 in W x 29.33 in D x 31.1 in H; Seat height 17.71 in 62 cm W x 74.5 cm D x 79 cm H; Seat height 45 cm Shipping: This lounge chair will be packed and shipped with the greatest care to make sure you will receive the item in gallery condition. Complimentary shipping within the Netherlands.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31.11 in (79 cm)Width: 24.41 in (62 cm)Depth: 29.34 in (74.5 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
  • Style:
    Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1940s
  • Condition:
    Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in premium sheepskin. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
  • Seller Location:
    Utrecht, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 202211741stDibs: LU2947330483062
More From This SellerView All
  • Carl Malmsten "Gamla Stan" Armchairs, Sweden ca 1950s
    By Carl Malmsten
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    Carl Malmsten has designed over 1000 different furniture models, most of which were named, giving his models even more character. “Gamla Stan”, Swedish for ...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

    Materials

    Fabric, Wood

  • Floating Easy Chair in Sheepskin by Otto Schulz (attr.), Sweden 1940s
    By Otto Schulz
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    This distinct mid-century easy chair features multiple special characteristics, from its floating back to the curvaceous armrests. This model is, without a doubt, the work of a maste...
    Category

    Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Sheepskin, Wood

  • Danish Easy Chairs with Beech Legs, Denmark, 1940s
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    Danish design emerged as a prominent contributor to the Scandinavian design philosophy with many of the designers that are most well-known from the mid-20th century hailing from Denm...
    Category

    Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Fabric, Wood

  • Danish Upholstered Easy Chair with Beech Legs, Denmark 1940s
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    This Danish-made easy chair is characterized by the best qualities of Danish mid-century design. From the restrained aesthetic to the elegant pairing of materials, this upholstered m...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Bouclé, Wood

  • Carl Malmsten "Berlin" Three-Seater Sofa, Sweden 1960s
    By Carl Malmsten
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    The “Berlin” three-seater sofa is “Malmstenesque” to its core. Designed in 1960, this sofa shows the designer’s predilection for traditional Swedish craftsmanship. Rejecting strict f...
    Category

    Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

    Materials

    Fabric, Wood

  • Mid-Century Modern Danish Cabinetmaker Lounge Chair, Denmark, 1940s
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    This Danish cabinetmaker lounge chair is characterized by the best qualities of the country’s mid-century design. From the restrained aesthetic to the elegant pairing of materials, t...
    Category

    Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Fabric, Wood

You May Also Like
  • Carl Malmsten, Lounge Chair, Velvet, Birch, Sweden, c. 1940s
    By Carl Malmsten
    Located in High Point, NC
    A purple velvet and light birch lounge chair, designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1940s.
    Category

    Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Velvet, Birch

  • Swedish 1940s Easy Chair By Carl-Axel Acking
    By Carl-Axel Acking
    Located in Hudson, NY
    Birch sculptural arms and legs with exposed edge upholstered in black linen fabric.
    Category

    Vintage 1940s Swedish Organic Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Linen, Birch

  • Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Armchair 'Gamla Berlin'
    Located in Kramfors, SE
    Swedish Carl Malmsten armchair 'Gamla Berlin' from the 1940s. The chair has a frame in birch with a curved and padded back featuring tufted buttons. Carl ...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

    Materials

    Birch

  • 1940s Gold Colored Velvet Upholstered Lounge Chair By Carl Malmsten Sweden
    By Carl Malmsten
    Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
    Very comfortable lounge chair designed by Carl Malmsten in the 1940s reupholstered with golden velvet fabric somewhere in the 1960s. The oak legs are dark stained also in a later per...
    Category

    Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Velvet, Oak

  • Pair Swedish Modern Easy Chairs, 1940s
    By Gösta Jonsson
    Located in Stockholm, SE
    Excellent condition. Newly reupholstered in honey colored sheepskin.
    Category

    Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Sheepskin

  • Rare assymetrical Carl Cederholm easy chair for Firma Stil & Form, Sweden 1940s
    By Carl Cederholm
    Located in Eskilstuna, SE
    Rare easy chair designed by Carl Cederholm for his own company Firma stil & Form in the 1940s, Stockholm, Sweden. Unique with its assymetrical shape. Upholstered in shearling wool...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

    Materials

    Sheepskin, Beech

Recently Viewed

View All