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'Pilot’ Easy Chairs by Arne Norell for Norell möbel AB, Sweden 1960s

About the Item

Swedish designer, Arne Norell’s conceptual designs, gained recognition for their use of traditional materials and forms like fabrics and wood combined with simple and vanguard lines. This pair of “Pilot” chairs was designed by Arne Norell in 1967 and each of them was handmade in Aneby, Sweden in the same factory that Norell established himself a decade earlier. This model is a modern classic with all the characteristics of a genuine Swedish modern chair. The design of these remarkable chairs carries a certain “design weight” that is the result of their understated elegance, premium materials, and the outstanding craftsmanship. Norell was known for his versatile use of wood and leather in his furniture designs that are characterized by comfort and ease and were to a great extent inspired by Danish design. These “Pilot” easy chairs are no exception with a design idiom centred on the curved wooden legs, stylish upholstery, and the subtly curved bodies offering gentle yet robust support for the spine - qualities that engender contentment and well-being. The tightly fitted velour fabric and wood complement each other in numerous ways, enhancing each other’s individual qualities, such as the wood legs’ distinctive curves and the fabric’s rich texture and colour. The result is an infinitely elegant and comfortable look that is unlikely to ever lose its appeal, and only get more stylish with time. This pair of "Pilot" easy chairs encapsulates the essence of Norell’s innovative approach to furniture design. The laminated beech legs allow the shape to be bent and result in the distinctive look this chair model is famous for. Norell began his journey as a furniture designer in the 1950s, becoming renowned for his ability to seamlessly blend comfort and aesthetics through innovative experimentations. During the 1960s, Swedish furniture design witnessed a transformative period marked by a departure from ornate and heavy styles to more streamlined, minimalist forms. Arne Norell played a pivotal role in shaping this evolution, embracing a modernist ethos while staying true to the principles of craftsmanship and quality materials. His designs, including these "Pilot" models, are celebrated for their timeless appeal and functional elegance and style. These chairs epitomize Norell's design philosophy, featuring clean lines, organic shapes, and a commitment to ergonomic excellence. These chairs were produced and are marked by Möbel AB Arne Norell (today known as Norell Möbel AB) in Aneby, Sweden. The workshop was founded in 1954 by Arne Norell, and ever since its establishment, it has been a family business carrying on Norell’s design legacy. In fact, the same factory that Arne Norell built in the 1950s is still where the company exists today in Sweden. The perks of incorporating these "Pilot" easy chairs into interior design are manifold; their ergonomic design and lush upholstery make them inviting and comfortable, creating an ideal setting for relaxation. Furthermore, thanks to their mid-century modern aesthetic, these chairs can seamlessly adapt to various interior styles, from modern to contemporary, making them versatile additions to any space. The timeless aesthetic of these "Pilot" chairs ensures that they remain relevant and stylish across different design trends. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, easy chairs like the "Pilot" serve as focal points in a room, elevating the overall design scheme. Whether placed in a cosy reading nook or as part of a larger seating arrangement, these chairs effortlessly enhance the visual appeal of the space. ‎Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in a premium velour fabric. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 32.28 in W x 29.92 in D x 29.52 in H; Seat height 16.53 in; Arm height 21.25 in 76.5 cm W x 79 cm D x 79.5 cm H; Seat height 45 cm; Arm height 55 cm About the designer: Arne Norell started his own workshop in 1954 in the town of Solna, Sweden. Thereafter, he moved to Småland and established his company Möbel AB Arne Norell, today known as Norell Möbel AB (Norell Furniture). He was known for his versatile use of wood, leather, fabric, and metal in furniture characterized by comfort and ease. Norell’s success made him a household name within the interior design-world of Europe. Several models were also produced in other parts of the world under a licence. He was to a great extent inspired by Danish design. Two examples of this influence are the lounge chair Ari and the safari chair Sirocco. Ari was awarded the British Furniture Manufacturer’s greatest award “showpiece of the year” in 1973. Many of the models he designed came into production after his death in 1971. His designs are still handcrafted by the same company today, Norell Möbel AB.

Creator:

Arne Norell (Designer),Norell Möbel AB (Manufacturer)

Dimensions:

Height: 31.3 in (79.5 cm)Width: 30.12 in (76.5 cm)Depth: 31.11 in (79 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)

Sold As:

Set of 2

Style:

Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Fabric,Wood

Place of Origin:

Sweden

Period:

1960-1969

Date of Manufacture:

1960s

Condition:

Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in a premium velour fabric. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Seller Location:

Utrecht, NL

Reference Number:

Seller: 202317171stDibs: LU2947337894572

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Shop All Arne Norell

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.