Post-war designer Arne Norell, was born in Åsele, Sweden in 1917. In 1954, Norell opened a small furniture workshop in Stockholm and by 1958 he launched his eponymous manufacturing company, Møbel AB Arne Norell, still active today, with his work being carried on by his daughter and son-in-law. His company is set upon a two-acre farm in an idyllic countryside, which was the main source of inspiration for his work. Norell employed traditional materials, leather, turned and bentwood and metal in unexpected forms with a lyrical flair. His pieces are credited with an effortless casual character combined with all of the muted sophistication of Scandinavian modern design. Posthumously, in 1973, The British Furniture Manufacturers Association awarded Norell’s low-slung Ari Chair c.1966 – Showpiece of the Year.
Norell’s Inca 2-seat sofa chair is a masterpiece of construction. The solid beech wood frame is held together by strong leather supports without glue or screws c.1960s.
The Ari chair received the most recognition for Norell. In black buffalo leather and brushed flat steel frame, this chair expresses his wonderful curvilinear style, c.1960s, still being manufactured today.
