Mid-century Westnofa Teak High Boy Dresser c.1960

Name: Mid-century Westnofa Teak High Boy Dresser c.1960
Brand: Westnofa Furniture
Rating: 5 (67 reviews)

About the Item

ABOUT An original five drawer Teak high boy dresser by Westnofa. Long inset carved handles with black interiors. Dovetail joinery construction. The piece sits on a black, plinth base. Original label on back. CREATOR Westnofa, Norway. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1960-1970. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Teak, Paint, Vinyl. CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor blemishes. Two bottom inset handles repainted black. DIMENSIONS H 40 in. W 36 in. D 18 in., Top drawer: H 2.5 in. W 33.75 in. D 15.5 in., Lower drawers: H 5.25 in. HISTORY Westnofa, a name derived from “West Norway Factories,” took shape in the late 1950s.

Creator:
Westnofa Furniture (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Teak,Wood
Place of Origin:
Norway
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1960
Condition:
Repaired: Touched up the bottom two handrails black to match the other drawers. Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
San Francisco, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: SKU 0241stDibs: LU1280242040602

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Westnofa Furniture

While Norway comprises something of an unsung chapter in the history of Scandinavian modernism, an export company called Westnofa shouldn’t be overlooked. It represented a collective of the country’s leading manufacturers to promote and export their furniture worldwide. Westnofa was key to the success of Norway’s mid-century designers and furniture brands, and fostered the growth of entities that might otherwise be unknown to today’s design aficionados.

Norway’s furniture factories were largely destroyed during World War II, and while the country’s sophisticated works — designed in teak, pine and other prized woods — had earned a place in Scandinavian modernism, its output was overshadowed by big names such as Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen who’d earned icon status in Finland and Denmark, respectively. Westnofa, a name derived from “West Norway Factories,” took shape in the late 1950s in order to circumvent the limitations that the country’s furniture industry had faced in the areas of marketing and production. Some of the manufacturers connected to Westnofa were P.I. Langlo Møbelfabrikk, Ekornes, Stokke and Vestlandske.

Westnofa took great pains to devise the most cost-effective and efficient method of packing and shipping worldwide. Flat-pack assembly for lightweight shipping was the result. In neighboring Sweden during the late 1940s, DUX president and furniture designer Folke Ohlsson put the same idea into practice. Flat-pack assembly saved space in warehouses and money on transportation. It’s a breakthrough that survives today — namely at popular Swedish brand IKEA.

While it’s unclear if Westnofa also produced furniture in addition to exporting the goods of a group of manufacturers, some of the more well-known designers that are today mentioned alongside the company include Ingmar Relling, Torstein Nilsen and Jens Nielsen. Relling is best known for seating and his most famous piece associated with Westnofa is his high-backed Siesta chair, which features supple leather cushions atop a bentwood frame. Torstein Nilsen designed an elegant glass-topped bentwood dining table that is also commonly linked with Westnofa. Jens Nielsen created minimalist, sculptural lounge chairs in birch and plywood that are connected with the Westnofa name.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Westnofa seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.