Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair for DUX, circa 1950s
View Similar Items
Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair for DUX, circa 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Dux of Sweden (Manufacturer),Folke Ohlsson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 29.25 in (74.3 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6417234442522
Folke Ohlsson
Folke Ohlsson pioneered the “knock-down” revolution of furniture, making the innovative flat-pack means of manufacturing and shipping common practice. Credited with playing a significant part in bringing Scandinavian modern forms to the United States, he was an international designer who created attractive pieces that are highly coveted by today’s collectors.
In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). While leading the design team for Studio Ljungs Industrier in his native Malmö, Ohlsson visited the West Coast of the United States in 1950 and opened DUX Inc., to expand the company’s global footprint. DUX put into practice an idea that Ohlsson patented for the so-called “knock-down,” or “KD,” chair, a term referencing easy, flat-pack assembly. It saved DUX space in warehouses and money on transportation and was a concept that would inspire hundreds of subsequent companies — most notably fellow Swedish brand IKEA.
Integrating American upholstery with Swedish knock-down hardware and wooden frames, Ohlsson and DUX revolutionized the furniture industry. The manufacturer consistently worked with brilliant mid-century modern designers — among them Bruno Mathsson, Edward Wormley and Alf Svensson — expanding the brand’s portfolio and establishing credibility as a design source. Today vintage DUX sofas and dining chairs are valuable collector’s items, and the space-saving attributes and efficiency associated with the company’s modular designs continue to influence manufacturers all over the world.
Partly because of the affordability of DUX’s furniture — as well as an understandable affinity for the simplicity, warmth and coziness of Scandinavian modern design — postwar America embraced Ohlsson’s vision. One of Ohlsson’s best-known designs is the Profil lounge chair, built on a teak frame that can rock or recline with the push of a lever, while the wool bouclé upholstery is sumptuous and stylish. Another iconic collection is the clean, minimal Pasadena set of sofas, footstools and armchairs, fashioned from solid walnut with brass sabots.
The Milano Triennale and the “Good Design” exhibition series at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art distinguished Ohlsson with more than 30 awards. In 1964, he was honored with Sweden’s Royal Order of Vasa decoration by King Gustav VI Adolf because of his role in exporting modern Scandinavian aesthetics to America. Ohlsson’s designs were also produced by Bodafors and Fritz Hansen.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of Folke Ohlsson seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
Dux of Sweden
Today, Swedish manufacturer DUX’s most popular furniture lines — as well as the furnishings created by its first president, Folke Ohlsson — are synonymous with the work that vintage mid-century modern design obsessives love. Also important, the brand is known for some of the most commonplace means of furniture shipping and production in the modern era.
In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). Initially a purveyor of bedding that is today celebrated for its ergonomically guided designs, Ljungs Industrier was founded by entrepreneur (and chocolate maker) Efraim Ljung in 1926. In 1950, Folke Ohlsson, then leading Ljungs Industrier’s design team, decamped to the States to explore how he could expand DUX’s business, which at that point included a wide range of furniture. Ohlsson established a DUX office not long after he arrived in California, first in San Francisco and later in Burlingame.
On the West Coast, the booming postwar American market was eager to embrace DUX’s affordable and practical bedroom furnishings, tables, armchairs and other seating. Characterized by sleek walnut and teak frames and low-slung silhouettes, the brand’s designs were emblematic of a generation of Scandinavian modernism that had gained popularity owing to visionaries such as product designer and architect Greta Magnusson-Grossman, who arrived in California from Sweden a decade prior to Ohlsson, and Finn Juhl, who created a Danish modern line for Michigan’s Baker Furniture Company in 1951.
DUX frequently collaborated with top-tier furniture design talent — among them Bruno Mathsson, Edward Wormley and Alf Svensson, a chief designer in the Malmö, Sweden, office of Ljungs Industrier — expanding the brand’s portfolio and establishing credibility as a design source. Ohlsson’s own designs, such as his comfortable leather lounges and wool-upholstered reclining rocking chairs, continue to be among the brand’s most desirable — and most imitated — however.
In 1949, DUX put into practice an idea that Ohlsson patented for the so-called “knock-down,” or “KD,” chair, a term referencing easy, flat-pack assembly. It saved DUX space in warehouses and money on transportation and was a concept that would provide inspiration to hundreds of subsequent companies — most notably fellow Swedish brand IKEA.
Today, vintage DUX sofas and dining chairs are valuable collector’s items. Find this coveted seating and other authentic DUX furniture on 1stDibs.
- Vladimir Kagan Erica High Back Lounge Chair Model Circa 1967By Vladimir KaganLocated in San Diego, CAVladimir Kagan’s Erica Contour High Back Swivel, first introduced in 1967, is a body-supportive design that sits on an X-shaped Lucite base. This incredibly comfortable chair is inte...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Acrylic, Mohair
$12,000 Sale Price20% Off - I.P.E. 'Corolla' Lounge Chair (2 available)By IPELocated in San Diego, CAI.P.E., lounge chair, model 'Corolla', velvet, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1970s A striking design that will add a vibrant softness to your room. Lower yourself into a cloud of com...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$3,495 / item - Fredrik Kayser Teak Lounge Chair Model 710By Fredrik A. KayserLocated in San Diego, CAThis vintage lounge chair was designed by the Danish designer Fredrik A. Kayser. The frame is made of a beautiful teak with gently sloping arm rests and a deep-inclined seat for maxi...Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
$2,683 Sale Price20% Off - Hans J. Wegner Mama Bear Lounge Chair Model AP 27By Hans J. WegnerLocated in San Diego, CAThe AP-27, also known as the Mama Bear chair, was designed by Hans Wegner in 1957. This iconic chair has a tall back and oak wood paws and beautifully sculpted arms. As with every We...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
- Mid-Century Modern Ringstol Lounge Chair by Illum WikkelsøBy Illum WikkelsøLocated in San Diego, CAThis Ringstol Lounge chair by Illum Wikkelsø is a perfect expression of Danish Modernism and and an architectural and visual delight. It features a mind-blowing steam bent circle mad...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCord, Beech
- Poul Kjaerholm Chaise Lounge Model PK24 for Fritz HansenBy Fritz Hansen, Poul KjærholmLocated in San Diego, CAPoul Kjaerholm Chaise Lounge, model PK24 for Fritz Hansen, Denmark This vintage PK24 chaise lounge from Fritz Hansen's "Poul Kjaerholm collect...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair by DUXBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Highland, INClassic Scandinavian Modern by the founder of DUX in the United States– Folke Ohlsson. This lovely lounge chair has a beech frame with sculpted arms that supports loose cushions newl...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Birch
- Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair by DUXBy Dux of Sweden, Folke OhlssonLocated in Highland, INThis generous lounge chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX is strikingly handsome and remarkably comfortable. The walnut base supports the body upholstered in black leatherette. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Folke Ohlsson For Dux ‘Profil’ Lounge Chair and OttomanBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Chicago, ILFolke Ohlsson for Dux of Sweden ‘Profil’ lounge chair and ottoman. This is an iconic Swedish design by Ohlsson for two particular reasons; the firs...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Vintage Walnut Lounge Chairs by Folke Ohlsson for DUXBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in North Hollywood, CAExceptional vintage walnut lounge chairs designed by Folke Ohlsson for Dux in Sweden, circa 1950s. These chairs have been identified as the USA-143 model belonging to one of the desi...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Folke Ohlsson for Dux Scissor ChairsBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Philadelphia, PAFolke Ohlsson for DUX of Sweden Pair of Scissor Chairs. Oak frames with slat backs and removable Upholstered Cushions. Chairs were reupholstered about 15 years ago. Fabric still l...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
$4,200 / set - Scandinavian Midcentury Easy Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, 1950'sBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Bridgeport, CTBeautiful very sculptural chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for Dux Mobler of Sweden. The model is rarely seen and was only made directly for export to the US market. Made from solid w...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut, Wool