Set of Three Alf Svensson Lounge Chairs for DUX, Sweden, circa 1950
View Similar Items
Set of Three Alf Svensson Lounge Chairs for DUX, Sweden, circa 1950
About the Item
- Creator:Alf Svensson (Designer),Dux of Sweden (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.17 in (69 cm)Width: 23.23 in (59 cm)Depth: 30.71 in (78 cm)Seat Height: 13.78 in (35 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Used / Signs of use to the lacquered metal / Stained and worn fabric.
- Seller Location:Pijnacker, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1712212423401
Alf Svensson
Swedish architect and furniture designer Alf Svensson worked with a range of organic materials that are today commonly associated with Scandinavian modernism, utilizing rosewood, oak and teak in his cabinets, chairs, tables and other furniture, and opting for leather when it came to creating upholstery for his sleek seating. He worked for several manufacturers including String Seffle AB, Bergbom & Co., Nybrofabriken and Nesto but is best known to collectors for the designs he created for DUX.
As creative director at Bergboms, Svensson worked with brass and opaline glass to create a range of lighting. He designed sculptural tripod-style floor lamps with bodies of steam-bent solid teak — a popular material with furniture makers of the mid-20th century — while his hanging ceiling lights featured lacquered metal shades that bring pops of color into living rooms and entryways.
Svensson’s role at the lighting manufacturer, which was founded in 1940 by Efraim Ljung — also the founder of Ljungs Industrier — saw him collaborating with the likes of legendary designers such as Greta Magnusson Grossman and Edward Wormley, a favorite of mid-century modern furniture collectors and the longtime director of design for the Dunbar furniture company.
Svensson also served as the creative director at Ljungs Industrier. In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). 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. It was during this time, in the postwar era, that American tastemakers really sold the citizenry on the warmth and good craftsmanship that characterizes Scandinavian modern design.
Ohlsson established a DUX office not long after he arrived in California, first in San Francisco and later in Burlingame. Svensson, a chief designer in the Malmö, Sweden, office of Ljungs Industrier, was among the top-tier furniture design talent with which DUX collaborated (a list that included Wormley and Bruno Mathsson). Svensson’s Galaxy chair, a comfortable upholstered swivel seat attributed to a partnership between the designer and Yngvar Sandström that exudes Space Age charm, is highly sought after, and Svensson's relationship with DUX yielded similarly attractive sideboards, lounge chairs and other furnishings that are some of his most celebrated works.
Find vintage Alf Svensson furniture on 1stDibs.
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.
- Dux Lounge Chair by Alf Svensson, Sweden, circa 1950By Alf Svensson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandMinimalistic Scandinavian lounge chair. Clean and simple Swedish design. The cushions have been reupholstered with the new Chivasso fabric from the 2020 collection. This chair has ...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Z Lounge Armchair by Bengt Ruda for Nordiska, Sweden, circa 1950By Nordiska Kompaniet, Bengt RudaLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandZ shaped lounge chair by Bengt Ruda for Nordiska Kompaniet, Stockholm, Sweden – circa 1950. The chair is very comfortable and has new upholstery...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$1,754 Sale Price20% Off - Lena Larsson for NESTO High Back Chair, Sweden, 1950-1960By Lena Larsson, NestoLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandLena Larsson for NESTO chair, Sweden, 1950-1960 Designer: Lena Larsson Manufacturer: Nesto Country: Sweden Model: High back chair Design period: circa 1950-1960 Dat...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Osvaldo Borsani P40 All Original Lounge Chair for TECNO, Italy, circa 1960By Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandIntroducing this excellent and still completely original P40 lounge chair by Osvaldo Borsani for TECNO Italy, circa 1960. If you are looking for a design period original in gorgeous ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of Italian Aldo Morbelli Lounge Armchairs, 1950sBy Marco ZanusoLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandGorgeous pair of Italian midcentury lounge chairs that will look best with a beautiful new fabric. Design: Aldo Morbelli Manufacturer: Unknown Country: Italy Model: Lounge wingback ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather
$2,635 Sale Price / set40% Off - Yngve Ekström 'Circle' Rocking Chair, Sweden, circa 1960By Yngve Ekström, Møbel AB SwedenLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandRare ‘Circle’ rocking chair by Yngve Ekström – Sweden, 1960s. Designer: Yngve Ekström Manufacturer: Stol AB Sweden. Country: Sweden Mo...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
$1,249 Sale Price40% Off
- Alf Svensson, Pair of Domus Lounge Chairs, DUX, 1950sBy Alf SvenssonLocated in Uppsala, SEPair of lounge chairs designed by Alf Svensson for DUX / Ljungs Industrier and their furniture line Bra Bohag in the 1950s. The model was shown at the very well known H55 exhibition ...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of lounge chairs by Alf Svensson for Dux, SwedenBy Alf Svensson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Genarp, SEPair of lounge chairs by de Swedish designer Alf Svensson for Dux. The chairs are reupholstered with bouclé fabric and has been restored with new padding. The Chairs are very comfo...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Wood
- Alf Svensson “Domus” for Dux Lounge ChairsBy Dux of Sweden, Alf SvenssonLocated in Philadelphia, PAAlf Svensson "Domus" for Dux pair of Beech Lounge Chairs. Zen-Like Feel this low riders have a great look! They sit very comfortably low. Newly upholstered...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
$3,850 / set - Pair of Domus Lounge Chairs by Alf Svensson for Dux Sweden, Sweden 1960sBy Dux of Sweden, Alf SvenssonLocated in Beograd, RSIn this listing you will find a rare pair of Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs Model 'Domus'. They were designed by Alf Svensson for Dux of Sweden. Featuring elegant design, made of b...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- Black metal lounge chair by Alf Svensson for DUX, Sweden, 1960'sBy Dux of Sweden, Alf SvenssonLocated in Steenwijk, NLThis lounge chair was designed by Alf Svensson for DUX in Sweden in the late 1950's or early 1960's. These metal versions were sold by Artifort in the Netherlands. This is why they a...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Alf Svensson Teve Lounge Chair Sweden MalmoBy Alf SvenssonLocated in Lège Cap Ferret, FRAlf Svensson Scandinavian low chair named teve chairs translates as TV chair designed in 1953 for watching television. It had to be light, easy to move while being robust. Manufactur...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBeech