"Tellus" Sofa by Folke Jansson for SM Wincrantz, Sweden 1950s

Sweden contributed to the progression of form and function in its own way, based on long-standing traditions, natural resources, and the critical - yet often coincidental - availability of creative genius. Folke Jansson was certainly one of the latter, designing unique forms with an artistic touch. Jansson is a designer who is difficult to define, being the creator of daily objects which are far from the organic forms of Alvar Aalto, and yet not aiming for the minimalism of Arne Jacobsen or Poul Kjaerholm. His experimentation has led him to play both with the free forms embedded into materials, and with the geometric shapes superimposed on them. This ‘Orion’ sofa...

The “Laila” models from the series by the Finnish designer Ilmari Lappalainen originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection. Designed in the halcyon phase of what we know today as Mid-Century Modern, this charming sofa is a unique evidence of how traditional Finnish craftsmanship was brought into modernism. This sofa is from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic Mid-Century Modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating that it prevented back problems. As an essentially Finnish modern piece, this sofa is built around the core characteristics of the era: gently rounded edges, tapered wooden legs, and a generous, fully upholstered body. The style was modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushion and back with three large tufted buttons. In the absence of ornamentation, the three large tufted buttons on the back stand out, creating depth as they sink into the textured green fabric. The design has the “Classic Nordic look”, which explains the contemporary popularity of this sofa both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the textured, premium upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well. Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. This sofa was created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930 the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s Laila...

A sculptural Swedish two-seater sofa, model “Tellus,” designed by Folke Jansson for SM Wincrantz, Skövde. Mid-20th century. The curved backrest flow into slender, slightly flared arm...

Beautiful “Ingeborg” sofa by Flemming Lassen, with curvesome forms. Designed in 1940 and named after his mother, the artist Ingeborg Winding. Upholstered with caramel colored sheepsk...