Swedish Designer, Minimalist Sauna Stool, Solid Pine, Sweden, 1950s

A solid pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1960s.

A pine sauna stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.

A solid pine and leather stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s.

A pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s.

Rare solid pine stool model Sauna designed by Bertel Gardberg and produced by Normark Finnmade for Villa Jouhki in Finland, 1950s. The stool features three legs attached to a round ...

Sauna stools have been in use for centuries, predominantly in Japan and in Finland. While this form of furniture is mostly a utilitarian object, vintage sauna stools - like this set of four - from these countries are artisanal, beautiful pieces. From Antti Nurmesniemi’s sauna stool (which is part of the MoMA’s collection) to the Japanese Hinoki stools, these vintage wooden pieces are perhaps even more treasured today than in the 50s. Sauna stools are traditionally used as a perch while washing up in the bathhouse before entering the soaking tub. They also make good shower stools or bath-side caddies also because the woods used - pine in this case - are naturally bacteria- and mildew-resistant and withstand humidity well. Stools traditionally have a simple, functional construction, however, these Finnish stools have elaborately carved tops that move beyond the strictly functional role. The tops are composed of four interconnecting parts in a shape that resembles a Celtic knot. These individual parts are connected by two dowel pins to each other leaving the design airy and functional as water has an easy way to flow through. The legs are in a simple, slightly tapered form to support the sitter with similar dowel pins connecting them to the seats. These mid-century sauna stools were made for Finnsauna Lagerholm...

French minimalist pine stools, a timeless embodiment of mid-century elegance. Crafted circa 1950, these stools boast a distinctive design featuring four sleek legs and a subtly conca...

A "Sauna" stool designed by Bertel Gardberg in Finland in the 1950s. The stool is varnished pinewood and it has 4 parts: three legs and a round hollow seat with a hole in the middle. Simple, elegant and quite minimalistic. The piece is in great condition with signs of wear and use consistent with age. The stool is very sturdy and sits firmly in place. Although this was mainly intended as a sauna stool, it can of course be used in almost any room in the household. The design, which is based on old traditional folk stools, will stand out in any interior. As is evident from the pictures and video, no need for nails or screws here. Bertel Gardberg (1919-2007) was a well renowned Finnish designer and a silversmith. His multiple recognitions include multiple Grand prizes at the Milan Triennale's, some prestigious Finnish honorary titles and a number of other recognitions. In the 1950s Garberg acted as the head designer for the Galeries Lafayette in...