Ilmari Tapiovaara ‘Pirkka’ Bench 180cm 1955 for Artek
About the Item
- Creator:Ilmari Tapiovaara (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)Width: 70.87 in (180 cm)Depth: 10.63 in (27 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2022
- Production Type:New & Custom(Current Production)
- Estimated Production Time:8-9 weeks
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Tilburg, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5892230897972
Ilmari Tapiovaara
During the mid-20th century, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked with pine, teak and his country’s native birch to create sleek and sculptural chairs, dining room tables and bookcases in the Scandinavian modern style. Tapiovaara’s areas of expertise expanded beyond furniture to include interior architecture, wooden sculptures, film posters and cutlery.
After completing his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, Tapiovaara embarked on a design career that would envelop his entire life. As a young man, Tapiovaara idolized revered architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto — whom, with his wife, Aino Aalto, cofounded Artek, the company that would eventually manufacture the majority of Tapiovaara’s creations. The budding designer had one of Aalto’s chairs in his apartment while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as an assistant in an office at Le Corbusier, then as a designer and artistic director at Asko.
By 1951, Tapiovaara and his wife, Annikki, had established their own studio. A few years previous, the pair had designed the now-legendary Domus chair while creating interiors and furnishings for a new student housing complex in Helsinki. Made of molded plywood and easily stackable, the ergonomic Domus chair, with its slender form, featured a modest silhouette — its lightweight structure allowed for easy exporting, and iconic mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Knoll added a low-backed version to its offerings in the early 1950s. (It was marketed as the Finn chair in the United States.)
Tapiovaara went on to design pieces for Pihlgren ja Ritola and Santa and Cole. His experience earned him teaching positions at the Institute of Applied Arts, the Helsinki University of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology. While in Chicago for the latter, he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Tapiovaara centered his passion for design on social responsibility. He wanted his creations to be accessible to everyone, which was the concept behind his democratic approach. In Finland’s postwar era, the goal was exemplary, affordable designs. With this in mind, he created products such as stackable chairs and “knock-down” pieces packed flat, so they shipped efficiently and cost less.
An influential champion of his profession, he spent two decades as a United Nations ambassador, working to improve design’s contribution to society. His lasting, collectible furniture is a testament to the designer’s goal to create humane, radiant and intimate spaces. The United Nations project included traveling to Paraguay to create much-needed furniture. A similar project followed in Mauritius.
Tapiovaara’s success as an industrial and mass producer of everyday furniture was widely recognized and awarded. He received six gold medals for his chairs alone at the Milan Triennials. He also accepted a Good Design award, the Finnish State Design Award, a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation and the Furniture Prize of the SIO Interior Architects’ Association of Finland.
Find vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, tables and lighting on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Tilburg, Netherlands
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Bench in Solid Walnut, France 1960sLocated in Tilburg, NLBench in Solid Walnut, France, 1960s. This unique mid century bench is well crafted in solid Walnut wood. It origins from France, 1960s and shows great similarity to the work of Pierre Chapo. Its design is basic, sturdy and sincere. The characteristic Walnut wood used in this piece, shows wonderful patina and has a very warm appearance. The sides were positioned inwards, giving the seat a floating appearance. The only detail that matters is well chosen, to be seen in the rounded corners of the seat. This wonderful bench can be used as a seating bench in a lobby or a living room, as well as a side table or a footboard bench...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Antique Hall Bench in Solid Carved Oak 19th CenturyLocated in Tilburg, NLAntique Hall Bench in Solid Carved Oak 19th Century. Beautiful sculptural bench in solid carved oak, probably made in the middle of the 19th centur...Category
Antique 19th Century European Other Benches
MaterialsOak
- Alvar Aalto Pair of ‘Tank’ 1936 Armchair for ArtekBy Alvar AaltoLocated in Tilburg, NLAlvar Aalto Pair of 400 ‘Tank’ Armchair for Artek. Designed in 1936. New, current production. Please note: the price is for 2 chairs with Kvadat Tonus...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Alvar Aalto 400 ‘Tank’ 1936 Armchair for ArtekBy Alvar AaltoLocated in Tilburg, NLAlvar Aalto 400 ‘Tank’ Armchair for Artek. Designed in 1936. New, current production. As voluminous as it is comfortable, Armchair 400 was created by Alva...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Leather, Fabric
- Alvar Aalto Pair of ‘Tank’ 1936 Armchairs in Zebra for ArtekBy Alvar AaltoLocated in Tilburg, NLAlvar Aalto pair of 400 ‘Tank’ armchair for Artek. Designed in 1936. New, current production. Please note: the price is for 2 chairs with Artek Zebra uphol...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Alvar Aalto A805 ‘Angel Wing’ Floor Lamp 1954 for ArtekBy Artek, Alvar AaltoLocated in Tilburg, NLAlvar Aalto A805 ‘Angel Wing’ Floor Lamp for Artek. Designed in 1954. New, current production. Floor Light A805 features a hand-riveted shade formed from d...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Ilmari Tapiovaara “Pirkka” Bench for Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950sBy Laukaan Puu, Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Amsterdam, NLA wonderful bench from the “Pirkka” series, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and manufactured by Laukaan Puu, circa 1950. The narrow rectangular top / seat of the bench are made of d...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMetal
- Ilmari Tapiovaara, ‘Pirkka’ Stools, 1955By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Los Angeles, CAWonderful stools designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1955 in pinewood and black lacquered dowel legs, marked, priced individually.Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Stools
MaterialsPine
- Ilmari Tapiovaara, ‘Pirkka’ Chairs, 1955By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Los Angeles, CAWonderful chairs designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1955 in dark stained pinewood and black lacquered dowel legs, marked. Priced individually.Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Stools
MaterialsPine
- KENA Bench 180cm, Rough Black Acacia WoodBy MoonlerLocated in Chiangmai, THAmbiguity between the two forms of creativity, art and design, was a popular conversation during Mid-20th century. Measure: length 1600 mm. Dedicated to the design language of tha...Category
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Furniture
MaterialsWood
- Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka Stool for Laukaan PuuBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in San Francisco, CAPirkka stool by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Designed for Laukaan Puu in 1957, stamped. Three available sold separately.Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Stools
MaterialsPine
- Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka Stool for Laukaan Puu, 1950sBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan PuuLocated in Munich, DEIlmari Tapiovaara designed the Pirkka stool in the 1950s. The black legs and seats in oak result in a timeless finnish design. This Pirkka stool is made b...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsOak