Ilmari Tapiovaara Sofa and Ottoman in Cognac Leather
View Similar Items
Ilmari Tapiovaara Sofa and Ottoman in Cognac Leather
About the Item
- Creator:Ilmari Tapiovaara (Designer),Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.32 in (77 cm)Width: 79.53 in (202 cm)Depth: 31.89 in (81 cm)Seat Height: 15.36 in (39 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 3
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1957
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: 450101811stDibs: LU933118833022
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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- Ilmari Tapiovaara Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather and Light Blue UpholsteryBy Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, Paolo Arnaboldi, Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Waalwijk, NLIlmari Tapiovaara for Esposizione La Permanente Mobili manufactured by Paolo Arnaboldi, sofa, teak, leather, brass, fabric, Italy, 1957. This three-seat sofa is designed by Finnish...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Sofa in Cognac Leather and AluminumLocated in Waalwijk, NLSofa, aluminum, leather, Italy 1970s Comfortable sofa made in the 1970s. This sofa strongly represent the essence of furniture design of the 1970s, going beyond the strict conventio...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsAluminum
- Italian Lounge Set with Chairs and Ottoman in Cognac Leather and AluminumLocated in Waalwijk, NLLounge set consisting of two chairs and an ottoman, aluminum, leather, Italy 1970s Pair of lounge chairs and ottoman made in Italy in the 1970s. These chairs strongly represent the ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsAluminum
- William Andrus for Steelcase Living Room Set in Fiberglass and LeatherBy Steelcase, William AndrusLocated in Waalwijk, NLWilliam C. Andrus for Steelcase, pair of lounge chairs, coffee table, lacquered fiberglass, plexiglass, leather, United States, 1970s Lovely space age living room set designed by Wi...Category
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Fiberglass, Plexiglass
- Illum Wikkelsø Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather and OakBy Illum WikkelsøLocated in Waalwijk, NLIllum Wikkelsø, sofa, model 'V11', leather, oak, Denmark, 1960s This modern sofa is designed by Illum Wikkelsø and is marked by a clear open layout and the use of neutral materials....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Arne Vodder Sofa in Patinated Cognac LeatherBy Ivan Schlechter, Arne VodderLocated in Waalwijk, NLArne Vodder for Ivan Schlechter, sofa, patinated leather, teak, Denmark, design 1953, manufactured late 1950s-1960s. Elegant two-seat settee in admirable cognac leather and teak b...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Nevada Cognac Leather and Smoked Oak Vilhelm Sofa by LassenLocated in Geneve, CHNevada cognac leather and smoked oak vilhelm sofa by Lassen Dimensions: W 217 x D 88 x H 80 cm Materials: leather, oak. Vilhelm is a beautiful padded three-seater sofa designed by ...Category
2010s Danish Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Nevada Cognac Leather and Natural Oak Vilhelm Sofa by LassenLocated in Geneve, CHNevada Cognac leather and natural oak Vilhelm sofa by Lassen Dimensions: W 217 x D 88 x H 80 cm Materials: Leather, oak. Vilhelm is a beautiful padded three-seater sofa designe...Category
2010s Danish Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Minimalist Scandinavian Pine Cognac Brandy Leather Sofa Daybed Living Room SetLocated in Munich, BavariaThis minimalist sofa ensemble was manufactured in Scandinavia Sweden. it contents a 3 seater Sofa and a 2 seater Sofa. It has a beautiful solid scandinavian pine frame. All details are minimalistic and pure. The loose cushions are made like pads which is slim and soft . The cognac brandy leather...Category
Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsLeather, Foam, Wood, Pine
- Herman Miller George Nelson Modular Seating Cognac Natural Leather SofaBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Munich, BavariaThis living room set model modular sofa was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This set was completely re -upholstered in high premium cognac Natural leather. It has a soft...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Dark Olive Heavy Canvas Sofa and Ottoman SetBy Stephen KennLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Sofa set from the Stephen Kenn Inheritance Collection was designed for maximum comfort and functionality. The Sofa was originally conceived in 2011 as the first piece in The In...Category
2010s American Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsSteel
$11,600 / set - Retro Modern Sofa and Chair Set with OttomanLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis vintage matching sofa with lounge chair features uniquely shaped chrome frames, tufted upholstery and a stylish matching ottoman. Wonderful moder...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsChrome
$2,800 Sale Price / set25% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Morentz Writes the Next Chapter for Furniture with a Storied Past
Dutch dealer Matthijs Hoveijn specializes in the best of mid-century modern design, selling it to discerning clients around the world.