Vintage Domus Armchair for Knoll
View Similar Items
Vintage Domus Armchair for Knoll
About the Item
- Creator:Ilmari Tapiovaara (Designer),Knoll (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. upholstery issue, see photos/inquire.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 9030-2439JR1stDibs: LU92181058172
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.
Knoll
As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
- Set of Vintage Knoll Style Conference ChairsBy Knoll, Eero SaarinenLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis set of Mid-Century Modern Eero Saarinen style conference chairs features a unique vintage style similar to the Womb chair as sold by Knoll. The unique molded shell design with u...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$1,050 Sale Price / set30% Off - Vintage Bent Plywood Chair by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy George Mulhauser, Plycraft, Charles and Ray Eames, Norman ChernerLocated in Brooklyn, NYIconic mid-century modern bentwood side chair designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft of Massachusetts. Both original labels still intact, revealing an original manufacture date of...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBentwood, Wood, Plywood
- Vintage Charles Eames Eiffel Tower Fiberglass Side Chairs for Herman MillerBy Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis iconic pair of Mid-Century Modern side chairs feature the Classic Charles Eames Eiffel Tower base and molded fiberglass seats. Stylish vintage ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass
$1,120 Sale Price / set30% Off - Vintage Modern Italian Lucite ChairLocated in Brooklyn, NYItalian Mid-Century Modern style Lucite chair featuring chrome legs and upholstered cushion. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
- Unique Pair of Vintage Vine ChairsLocated in Brooklyn, NYVery unusual and utterly unique pair of freeform vine chairs. Solid wooden construction. Please confirm item location with dealer (NJ or NY).Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
$8,400 Sale Price30% Off - Mid-Century Pair of Armchairs by Knoll AssociatesBy KnollLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage pair of comfortable armchairs designed by Knoll Associates. Chairs feature off-white tufted upholstery and sleek polished chrome legs. Both chairs come with optional arm pr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
$4,900 Sale Price / set27% Off
- George Nakashima Straight Chair for KnollBy George Nakashima, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CADesigned by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Vintage Modern Bulldog Armed Side Chairs by McCoy & Fahnstrom for Knoll Set 12By Knoll, Michael McCoyLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome vintage Modern discontinued Bulldog Armed Side Chairs by Michael McCoy & Dale Fahnstrom for Knoll with black cantilever bases and blue fabric 12 total. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are minor scuffs on all frames and arms. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 6/23/2000. NOTE: We are selling these chairs as a set however, if you love them and would like fewer, we may consider entertaining that request. Just let us know. Doughnuts, Roses, Cookies, Eggs, and these Awesome Knoll armchairs… Just a few things that are better by the DOZEN! That’s right! We have TWELVE of these wonderful Bulldog Armed side chairs by Knoll for you!! They were designed in 1990 by award winning designers Michael McCoy & Dale Fahnstrom and discontinued in 2009. These are labeled 6/23/2000. They are comprised of black finished steel cantilever frames with black plastic arm covers, molded plastic scoop-back seats, and they wear a fabulous blue nubby textured fabric. They have an ergonomically thought-out design, ensuring comfort and timeless style sure to withstand the hands of time. They are ready to grace your home or office with their iconic awesome-ness! Of course, they would be perfect surrounding a fabulous conference table at the office, but they would also be wonderful at a dining table in your Modern dining room, at a game table in the family room, or maybe you need extra seating for times you encounter those unexpected guests? Comfort, Style, Versatility, two AWARD WINNING designers, and they’re by Knoll… an exemplary manufacturer. These chairs have everything you’ve been looking for. As a designer, Michael McCoy is best known for his work with furniture manufacturer Knoll International. Along with Dale Fahnstrom, Fahnstrom/McCoy Design Consultants designed the 5-time award-winning Bulldog chair. The Bulldog is Knoll's best-selling office chair to date. Michael McCoy along with his wife Katherine McCoy was the recipient of the Smithsonian’s first Design Minds National Design Award. His designs include the Horizon LED Light for Humanscale with Peter Stathis, the million selling “Bulldog Chair” for Knoll and the Place Airport Seating for Arconas with Curt Fentress. He has received many international design awards for his work for Humanscale, Knoll, Philips, Steelcase and NEC including Germany’s Red Dot Award, the IDSA Gold Award, The Spark Award, London’s FX Award, the ID Magazine Best of Category, the IBD Award and The Interiors Magazine Best Office Design. He was principal in McCoy & McCoy Inc. in Colorado and Fahnstrom/McCoy Design Consultants in Chicago, he was Co-chair of the Design Department at Cranbrook Academy of Art for 23 years. His strategies for interpreting technology and information through design form have been widely published and he lectures internationally on the subject. Dale Fahnstrom graduated with a BFA and MFA in Industrial Design, in 1962 and 1965, from the University of Illinois, Champaign. Early in his career Fahnstrom was product designer for Unimark International. He co-founded the Chicago design firms Source, Inc. and Design Planning Group, and designed products for firms such as Knoll International, Philips Electronics N.V., Steelcase, Brayton International, Vecta Contract...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$7,196 Sale Price / set20% Off - Midcentury Mint Brno Chair in Leather by Mies van der Rohe for KnollBy Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, KnollLocated in BROOKLYN, NYOne midcentury Brno chair in gray leather on a polished chromed steel frame. Produced by Knoll. Has never been used and in excellent condition. This is the Thin-seat version, modeled...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$1,225 Sale Price30% Off - Vintage Modern Chrome & Brown Chenille Cantilever Chair in Style Brno by KnollBy KnollLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome vintage modern chrome & brown chenille cantilever chair in the style of Brno by Knoll. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There is some minor discoloration on the back of one chrome foot and there is some fading on the back and one side. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970’s. Brown Chenille Chair Extraordinaire!!! This is a modern chair in the style of the Brno style for Knoll but with a modern flair. It is comprised of a sultry brown chenille fabric with button detail on both the back and seat cushions. The arms and frame are hollow straight rectangular chrome bars with decorative studs on the back bar. We say this chair is mostly modern...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$956 Sale Price20% Off - Ilmari Tapiovaara Wooden Domus Armchair, Green Faux Leather, Finland 1950'sBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Den Haag, NLIlmari Tapiovaara Domus Armchair, Finland 1950's Early edition with it's original green faux leather upholstery.Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Wood
- Vintage Chinese Carved ArmchairLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis extraordinary single vintage Chinese style chair is in great condition, is a beautiful hand-crafted out of teak wood & cane combination, and has been newly restored by our professional expert craftsmen team. This 1970s side accent chair features a barrel back design, a carved wood panel in the center, a solid framed seat with a caning insert in the center in good condition, and is ready to be used. The chairs are raised by stretched carved tapered legs accentuated with moldings, and engraved details all beautifully finished in natural color and only having been waxed & polished developing a beautiful patina finish. This fabulous 1960s cane chair...Category
Vintage 1960s Chinese Chinese Export Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Wood, Cane