Arne Norell Two-Seat Sofa Model Ilona, 1960s

Swedish furniture company Norell Möbel AB continues the legacy of founder Arne Norell who created timeless, hand-crafted mid-century furnishings and impacted the world of Scandinavian modern furniture.

In 1954, Norell opened his first workshop in Solna, Sweden, before moving to Småland in 1958 to establish Möbel AB, today known as Norell Möbel AB. Arne Norell designed using a mix of turned and bentwood, leather and metal to create comfortable and durable sofas, lounge chairs and other furniture until his death in 1971.

His career working out of Småland produced some of his greatest work, such as the Inca armchair, the Indra and Ilona sofas, and the Sirocco Chair. Inspired by the iconic Safari chair by Kaare Klint, known as the father of Danish modern furniture design, the Sirocco chair was unique in that Norell used leather straps and buckles to secure the chair together over traditional glue and screws.

Norell Möbel AB has put many of Arne Norell’s designs into production for the first time since his death, contributing to Norell’s designs becoming better known and more collectible. During Norell’s lifetime, his work was popular among European interior designers; since then, Norell Möbel AB’s furniture has found homes in Swedish Parliament buildings, embassies, restaurants and hotels. Two years after Norell’s death, the British Furniture Manufacturers awarded his Ari chair the Showpiece of the Year award.

Norell Möbel AB remains a family-run company passed down to Norell’s daughter, Swedish furniture designer Marie Norell-Möller. Norell-Möller has produced many of her own award-winning designs, like the Paris café chair and the Leo armchair. A graduate from the Swedish University of Art, Crafts and Design, Norell-Möller developed a keen eye for softer, approachable designs, counter to many industrial forms found today. Norell-Möller’s designs, in tandem with her father’s, are handcrafted out of the same factory Arne started back in the 1960s.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic vintage Norell Möbel AB armchairs, loveseats and other seating.