Belgium - Chairs
to
74
17,636
9,422
478
183
15
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
439
237
166
233
145
232
129
170
123
143
122
173
222
57
39
34
7
6
6
4
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
8
20
450
198
30
253
143
6
4
6
19
14
61
77
81
36
13
449
237
165
106
102
575
153
120
95
52
676
532
548
31
24
24
12
12
Item Ships From: Belgium
Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Marenco
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi,Italy, 1970s
Category
1970s Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Erik Ole Jørgensen for Tarm Stole Møbelfabrik Chairs, Set of 6
By Tarm Stole
Located in Brussels, BE
Erik Ole Jørgensen for Tarm Stole Møbelfabrik chairs, set of 6.
Category
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Contemporary aluminium Chair by Studio Thusthat
Located in 1204, CH
This collection is made with the offcut surface skin—colloquially called “the crust”—of giant aluminium blocks coming from an industrial smelters. Weighing over 25 tonnes, the smelte...
Category
2010s Dutch Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
661D CHAIR Robin & Lucienne Day by Hille
By Robin Day, Lucienne Day
Located in Forest, BE
These chairs were designed by the English designer couple Robin and Lucienne Day and edited by Hille for
the Royal Festival Hall in 1950. These ...
Category
1950s British Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Chairs by Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Sabot
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern set of 4 chairs by Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Modern Saarinen armchairs, set of 2- New Upholstery
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Uccle, BE
Mid Century Modern Saarinen armchairs, set of 2- New Upholstery
Dimensions D: 63 cm (24.80") H: 84,5 cm W: 63 cm (24.80")
Seat height 47cm (18.50")
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Set of Six Emeco NAVY Industrial Iron Chairs on Wheels with Wooden Seat
By Emeco
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of six metal chairs with wooden seats Industrial Navy dining, side chairs based on wheels designed by Emeco, Germany. All chairs in a very good condition, the wood has a nice pat...
Category
1970s German Industrial Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Iron
Armchairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s, set of 6
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 fiberglass chairs in orange color with chrome metal legs. Stamped H by Herman Miller on the bottom. Wear due to time and age of chairs. Seat height:...
Category
1970s Central American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vertigo III Sculptural Chair by Pol Quadens
Located in Geneve, CH
Vertigo III Sculptural Chair by Pol Quadens
Unique Piece.
Dimensions: D 80 x W 120 x H 300 cm.
Materials: Polished stainless steel.
Pol Quadens was born ...
Category
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Guillerme et Chambron, Set of Six Oak Chairs, Fumay model. Edition Votre Maison
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, set of six oak chairs. Model Fumay. Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970.
Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset.
The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 i...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Oak, Faux Leather
Mid-Century Modern 'System 123' Chair by Verner Panton, Denmark, 1973
By Verner Panton
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern 'System 123' Chair by Verner Panton, Denmark,1973.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Contemporary Hammered copper Arachne sculpture by Marius Ritiu
Located in 1204, CH
I've been working a lot with copper, copper being the physical material that connects the world. Its incorporation into technology (communication, transport) has enabled and increase...
Category
2010s Belgian Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Copper
Four Legs Stool Naturel by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Four legs stool naturel by Arno Declercq
Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 50 cm
Materials: African walnut
Arno Declercq
Belgian designer and art deal...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Walnut
French Elm and Cord Chairs
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pierre Chapo style, Mid-Century Modern high back chairs, French elm, France, 1960s.
Naturalist set of eight dining chairs with a woven cord seating.
Also from the same original house we have a daybed, desk, side tables and coffee table available.
Would fit well in a Brutalist decor...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Organic Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Elm
Mid-Century Set of 6 "Kazuki" Chairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Set of 6 "Kazuki" Chairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina
Early edition
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of Four ‘60s, Arne Hovmand-Olsen Dining Arm Chairs.
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful set of four solid teak arm chairs in powerful hand-crafted design finished with a black leather seat and brass details. Designed by the Danish designer Arne Hovmand-Olsen, 1960s. The chairs can also be used as a decorative chair in a living room or office or as a comfortable dining room chair. The set of four chairs are in a perfect condition.
DANISH, 1919-1989
Throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, Arne Hovmand-Olsen created furnishings that boasted all of the alluring qualities now associated with vintage Scandinavian modern design. The esteemed Danish designer favored high-quality teak, oak and rosewood for his sideboards, chairs and dining tables. Elsewhere, Hovmand-Olsen’s side tables and credenzas feature elegant organic curves and tapered legs, while his graceful armchairs and dining chairs are characterized by slender frames and sculptural seat backs.
From an early age Hovmand-Olsen showed an interest in drawing and an aptitude for design. In 1938, he began his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker under Peder Olsen Sibast, the founder of Sibast furniture company. Owing largely to the creative direction of Peder’s son, designer Helge Sibast, during the mid-century era, the manufacturer is internationally revered today for its wide range of sleek and collectible modern furniture...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Mid-Century Pair of Armchairs by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, 1960s
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern pair of armchairs by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, Chrome and Boucle Fabric, 1960s
New upholstery.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Chrome
KNUD FRIIS & ELMAR MOLTKE NIELSEN set of 4 chairs
By Knud Friis & Elmar Moltke Nielsen
Located in Forest, BE
Knud Friis (1926-2010) and Elmar Moltke Nielsen (1924-1997) were twoDanish Architects who founded their practice in 1954 called Friis & Moltke. In the 1960s, they introduced Danes to their mild version of Brutalism, which often featured huge, robust building structures tucked into the landscape, raw concrete walls and visible technical installations.
This set of 4 bentwood chairs...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Set of Six Chic Ebonized Modernist Chroom Bauhaus Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of six chroom Bauhaus chairs with plywood seat and backrest, 1930s
The set has two armchairs and four normal chairs.
German Art Deco black enameled wood armchair with chrome tri...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Bauhaus Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern set of 6 Armchairs, Chrome and Leather, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern set of 6 Armchairs, Chrome and Leather, 1970s
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Matteo Grassi série of 14 chairs 1970 for fasem
By Matteo Grassi
Located in Bruxelles, BE
14 chairs by Matteo Grassi for Fasem in patinated gun metal barrel color and black leather.
The lot can be divided in 2 one for 6 chairs and the other for 8.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Metal
GG02 Walnut Chair by Togigi
Located in Geneve, CH
GG02 Walnut Chair by Togigi
Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 77,2 cm.
Materials: Walnut and jacquard.
The fabric is Blue dotted copper jacquard. Available in Thermal Spray Zinc, walnut, ...
Category
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Jacquard, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Red System 123 Chairs by Verner Panton, 1973
By Verner Panton
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern set of 6 red system 123 chairs by Verner Panton, Denmark, 1973.
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Fabric
AD Bench in Walnut by Arno Declercq
By Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
AD Bench in walnut by Arno Declercq
Dimensions: W 237 x l 60 x H 63 cm
Materials: African walnut
Arno Declercq
Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespoke objects with passi...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Contemporary Hammered copper Cosmic Blue II Bench by Marius Ritiu
Located in 1204, CH
I've been working a lot with copper, copper being the physical material that connects the world. Its incorporation into technology (communication, transport) has enabled and increase...
Category
2010s Belgian Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Copper
Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Renato Venturi for MIM, 1950s
By Renato Venturi
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Renato Venturi for MIM, 1950s
Category
1950s Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Contemporary, bohemian and Organic Shaped Teak Bina Chair
Located in 1204, CH
Bina’ means ‘Dance’ in Congolese Tshiluba. Tshiluba is one of the languages alongside three other native languages spoken in the DCR. The chair is made out of teak, the back of handw...
Category
2010s Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Stone
Arts & Crafts Armchair
Located in Antwerp, BE
I actually don't want to sell this piece before I know what it is.
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Arts and Crafts Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Oak
Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
Located in Brecht, BE
This is the Egg, model 3316, designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen. the chair has new upholstery in offwhite leather, in very good condition.
Category
20th Century Danish Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Chairs, Oak and Rope, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Chairs, Oak and Rope, 1970s
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern 4 Armchairs in the style of Scarpa, Wood and Leather, Italy
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern 4 Armchairs in the style of Scarpa, Wood and Leather, Italy
Category
1960s Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Dining Chairs by Dom Hans van der Laan, Netherlands, 1960s
By Dom Hans van der Laan
Located in Antwerp, BE
A set of rare dining chairs, designed by the Dutch Benedictine monk and architect Dom Hans van der Laan for the Abbey Church of St. Benedictusberg near Vaals in the 1950s. Crafted fr...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood, Pine
Brazilian Modern 'Boomerang' Lounge Chair by Richard Neutra, 1980s
By Richard Neutra
Located in Antwerp, BE
Richard Neutra; Furniture by Architects; Modernist; Los Angeles Times; Miller House; Brazillian Design; Bona SRL Italy; 1980s; Modern; Boomerang Lounge Chair;
Richard Neutra's Boom...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Four Multicolored Seventies Chairs
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautifully shaped wooden chairs with original and typical seventies upholstery. The wood has been painted. These have that "Saint-Tropez" look.
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Grete Jalk, Midcentury 8 Rosewood and Leather Chairs P Jeppesens Denmark
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Forest, BE
Elegant massive rosewood and black leather chairs by female designer Grete Jalk. Produced in the 6à's by cabinetmaker Poul Jeppessens. We have 8 chairs available and a table. 4 more chairs with leather on the backrest so 12 chairs in total. Please ask for more pictures.
_____________________________________________________________
Grete Juel Jalk est née à Copenhague. Après avoir été diplômée de l'école secondaire, section langues et philosophie, elle a étudié à l'École de design pour femmes (de 1940 à 1943) avec l’ ébéniste Karen Margrethe Conradsen. Elle a terminé ses études à la Danish Design School en 1946, et a également suivi un enseignement avec Kaare Klint à l'Académie royale des beaux-arts du Danemark.
Elle a pris part aux compétitions annuelles du Musée du Design et du département mobilier de la Design School, où elle a également enseigné de 1950 à 1960.
En 1953, Jalk ouvre son propre studio de design. Inspirée par le mobilier stratifié, courbé, contreplaqué de Alvar Aalto et les créations en contreplaqué moulé de Charles Eames, elle commence à développer ses propres modèles tout en courbes. L’intérêt pour ces modèles non conventionnels a progressé lentement. En 1963, le journal anglais The Daily Mirror...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Bossche School Chair by Dom Hans van der Laan
By Dom Hans van der Laan
Located in Antwerp, BE
Dom Hans van der Laan, Bossche school, Netherlands, 1960s.
The chair was designed by the Dutch Benedictine monk and architect, Dom Hans van der Laan ...
Category
1940s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Pine
V-Bench in Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
V-bench in Iroko wood by Arno Declercq
Dimensions: W 180 x D 38 x H 55 cm
Materials: burned and waxed Iroko wood
Arno Declercq
Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespok...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
GG02 Zinc Chair by Togigi
Located in Geneve, CH
GG02 Zinc Chair by Togigi
Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 77,2 cm.
Materials: Wood with thermal spray zinc finish and jacquard.
The fabric is Baby blue marble jacquard. Available in The...
Category
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Jacquard, Wood
Pair of Brutalist Easy Chairs, 1960s
Located in Brussel, BE
Pair of interesting and comfy two brutalist easy chairs.
Category
1960s Italian Brutalist Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Rustic Wabi Sabi Rattan Chair, France, 1940s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic; Wood; Cord; Wabi Sabi; Rattan; dining chair; side chair; France; French Craftsmanship; 1940s; Mid-Century Modern;
Rustic chair with comfortable cord seating and an imperfec...
Category
1940s French Rustic Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Cord, Wood
Robust Wooden Chair, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Petite 19th-century chair, crafted from rich, dark solid wood, stands as a timeless piece with a sturdy construction that has endured the test of time. With a rustic allure, it not o...
Category
Early 20th Century French Rustic Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
American Studio Furniture Style of Wendell Castle, 1970s
By Studio Furniture. Primitivist., Wendell Castle
Located in Antwerp, BE
This 1970s American Studio Furniture chair exemplifies the essence of studio craft, a movement defined by the creation of bespoke, one-of-a-kind, or limited production furniture piec...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
COI01 Zinc Chair by Togigi
Located in Geneve, CH
COI01 Zinc Chair by Togigi
Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 77,2 cm.
Materials: Wood and resin.
Available in zinc and walnut wood finishes. Please contact us.
In a world of fleeting int...
Category
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Resin, Wood
GG02 Zinc Chair by Togigi
Located in Geneve, CH
GG02 Zinc Chair by Togigi
Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 77,2 cm.
Materials: Wood with thermal spray zinc finish and jacquard.
The fabric is Blue dotted copper jacquard. Available in T...
Category
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Jacquard, Wood
Contemporary Not Wasted Dining chair by Cedric Breisacher
Located in 1204, CH
In his latest collection, Cedric Breisacher reinvests the use of materials with what a workshop already has: waste materials. He uses this waste to create a material he calls Agglome...
Category
2010s Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Senufo Stool Leather in Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq
By Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Senufo stool leather in Iroko wood by Arno Declercq
Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 50 cm
Materials: Iroko wood, black leather
Arno Declercq
Belgian designer and art dealer who ma...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Wabi-Sabi Sculptural Chair, France, 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
French rustic folk art wooden chair, embodying the essence of wabi-sabi philosophy. Crafted with meticulous artistry, this piece is a unique expression of organic beauty, boasting re...
Category
20th Century French Rustic Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Wim Den Boon Dutch Modernism Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Wim Den Boon
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wim Den Boon; Dutch Modernism; Dining chairs; Side chairs; Dutch design;
Wim Den Boon was a Dutch designer, interior designer and architect. Boon w...
Category
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Bench by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary bench by Faina.
Design: Victoriya Yakusha.
Material: Textiles, foam rubber, sintepon, wood, plywood.
Dimensions: 62 x 180 x...
Category
2010s Ukrainian Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Textile, Wood, Plywood
Mid-Century Modern Set of 8 Brutalist Wooden Chairs, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern set of 8 brutalist Wooden chairs.
Category
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Göran Malmvall, Model 553, Circa 1973, Set of 4
By Goran Malmvall
Located in Hasselt, VLI
Set of 4 dining chairs by Göran Malmvall, reupholstered with a nice off-white bouclé. Göran Malmvall was a prominent figure in Swedish furniture design (1917-2001), establishing an influential legacy with his iconic pine chairs, known as model 553, crafted in collaboration with AB Karl Andersson...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Wood
Postmodern Walnut Dining Chairs, Italy, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Walnut postmodern dining chairs, a stylish and contemporary addition to any dining room space. These chairs feature a unique design, with curved legs made of high-quality wood like t...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 4 SPC Black Chairs by Atelier Thomas Serruys
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 SPC black chairs by Atelier Thomas Serruys.
Dimensions: D65 x W43 x H46.
Materials: steel, powder coated.
Steel chair made of one shaped tube with sheet steel seat and ...
Category
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Steel
Guillerme et Chambron, Set of 6 Oak Chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Set of 6 Oak Chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960
Possibility of having more chairs in the model
Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset.
The Vot...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Italian Dining Chairs by Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Italian dining Chairs by Vittorio Dassi
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Set of 2 Medium Pausa Oak Stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 medium Pausa oak stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Dimensions: D 27 x W 35 x H 65 cm
Materials: oak wood
Available in burnt oak version and in 3 sizes.
Pausa is a se...
Category
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
Category
1970s Vintage Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
AD Bench in Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq
By Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
AD Bench in iroko wood by Arno Declercq
Dimensions: W 237 x L 60 x H 63 cm
Materials: Burned and waxed iroko wood
Arno Declercq
Belgian designer and art dealer who makes besp...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Belgium - Chairs
Materials
Wood
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Kaleidoscopic Upholstery Makes This Edward Wormley Chair a Showstopper
What at first glance seems an unusual choice jibes perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
How to Reupholster a Chair
Want to update an old chair that still has good bones? We spoke to experts to find out how they approach reupholstering antique furniture.
How to Spot Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI Chairs
A field guide for anyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of French antiques
The Ball Chair, Eero Aarnio’s Space Age Masterpiece, Was Almost Never Made
Now considered emblematic of 1960s mod aesthetics, the Finnish designer's famous creation was far from an overnight success.