Lounge chairs by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Dux of Sweden (Manufacturer),Folke Ohlsson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.56 in (70 cm)Width: 28.75 in (73 cm)Depth: 29.14 in (74 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Eskilstuna, SE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9287237253092
Folke Ohlsson
Folke Ohlsson pioneered the “knock-down” revolution of furniture, making the innovative flat-pack means of manufacturing and shipping common practice. Credited with playing a significant part in bringing Scandinavian modern forms to the United States, he was an international designer who created attractive pieces that are highly coveted by today’s collectors.
In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). While leading the design team for Studio Ljungs Industrier in his native Malmö, Ohlsson visited the West Coast of the United States in 1950 and opened DUX Inc., to expand the company’s global footprint. DUX put into practice an idea that Ohlsson patented for the so-called “knock-down,” or “KD,” chair, a term referencing easy, flat-pack assembly. It saved DUX space in warehouses and money on transportation and was a concept that would inspire hundreds of subsequent companies — most notably fellow Swedish brand IKEA.
Integrating American upholstery with Swedish knock-down hardware and wooden frames, Ohlsson and DUX revolutionized the furniture industry. The manufacturer consistently worked with brilliant mid-century modern designers — among them Bruno Mathsson, Edward Wormley and Alf Svensson — expanding the brand’s portfolio and establishing credibility as a design source. Today vintage DUX sofas and dining chairs are valuable collector’s items, and the space-saving attributes and efficiency associated with the company’s modular designs continue to influence manufacturers all over the world.
Partly because of the affordability of DUX’s furniture — as well as an understandable affinity for the simplicity, warmth and coziness of Scandinavian modern design — postwar America embraced Ohlsson’s vision. One of Ohlsson’s best-known designs is the Profil lounge chair, built on a teak frame that can rock or recline with the push of a lever, while the wool bouclé upholstery is sumptuous and stylish. Another iconic collection is the clean, minimal Pasadena set of sofas, footstools and armchairs, fashioned from solid walnut with brass sabots.
The Milano Triennale and the “Good Design” exhibition series at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art distinguished Ohlsson with more than 30 awards. In 1964, he was honored with Sweden’s Royal Order of Vasa decoration by King Gustav VI Adolf because of his role in exporting modern Scandinavian aesthetics to America. Ohlsson’s designs were also produced by Bodafors and Fritz Hansen.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of Folke Ohlsson seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
Dux of Sweden
Today, Swedish manufacturer DUX’s most popular furniture lines — as well as the furnishings created by its first president, Folke Ohlsson — are synonymous with the work that vintage mid-century modern design obsessives love. Also important, the brand is known for some of the most commonplace means of furniture shipping and production in the modern era.
In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). Initially a purveyor of bedding that is today celebrated for its ergonomically guided designs, Ljungs Industrier was founded by entrepreneur (and chocolate maker) Efraim Ljung in 1926. In 1950, Folke Ohlsson, then leading Ljungs Industrier’s design team, decamped to the States to explore how he could expand DUX’s business, which at that point included a wide range of furniture. Ohlsson established a DUX office not long after he arrived in California, first in San Francisco and later in Burlingame.
On the West Coast, the booming postwar American market was eager to embrace DUX’s affordable and practical bedroom furnishings, tables, armchairs and other seating. Characterized by sleek walnut and teak frames and low-slung silhouettes, the brand’s designs were emblematic of a generation of Scandinavian modernism that had gained popularity owing to visionaries such as product designer and architect Greta Magnusson-Grossman, who arrived in California from Sweden a decade prior to Ohlsson, and Finn Juhl, who created a Danish modern line for Michigan’s Baker Furniture Company in 1951.
DUX frequently collaborated with top-tier furniture design talent — among them Bruno Mathsson, Edward Wormley and Alf Svensson, a chief designer in the Malmö, Sweden, office of Ljungs Industrier — expanding the brand’s portfolio and establishing credibility as a design source. Ohlsson’s own designs, such as his comfortable leather lounges and wool-upholstered reclining rocking chairs, continue to be among the brand’s most desirable — and most imitated — however.
In 1949, DUX put into practice an idea that Ohlsson patented for the so-called “knock-down,” or “KD,” chair, a term referencing easy, flat-pack assembly. It saved DUX space in warehouses and money on transportation and was a concept that would provide inspiration to hundreds of subsequent companies — most notably fellow Swedish brand IKEA.
Today, vintage DUX sofas and dining chairs are valuable collector’s items. Find this coveted seating and other authentic DUX furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Eskilstuna, Sweden
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Scandinavian modern lounge chairs, unknown designer, Sweden, 1960sLocated in Eskilstuna, SESwedish modern armchairs by anonymous designer from the 1960s. Legs of stained beech and upholstered in a beautiful blue fabric. Generous armrests.Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBeech, Fabric
- Swedish Modern lounge chair by Erik Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, 1940sBy Eric Karlén, Firma RumsinteriörLocated in Eskilstuna, SEVery rare lounge chair designed by Erik Bertil Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, 1940s. Frame of elm and upholstered in sheepskin with leather butto...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Sheepskin, Elm
- Swedish modern sofa 'Tellus' by Folke Jansson for SM Wincrantz, Sweden, 1960sBy Folke JanssonLocated in Eskilstuna, SERare sofa model 'Tellus' designed by Folke Jansson and produced by SM Wincrantz, Sweden, during the 1960s. Sculptural legs of beech and upholstered in two different tones of green ...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- Easy chair 'Läckö' designed by Ingemar Thillmark for OPE Möbler, 1960sBy Ingemar ThillmarkLocated in Eskilstuna, SEEasy chair designed by Ingemar Thillmark, model is called 'Läckö' and was produced by OPE Möbler, Sweden, during the 1960s. Rustic design. Frame in beech and cushions in thick tuft...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Scandinavian Modern lounge chair by Gösta Jonsson, Sweden, 1950sBy Gösta JonssonLocated in Eskilstuna, SEChunky lounge chair designed and made by Gösta Jonsson, Sweden, during the 1950s. Upholstered with honey colored sheepskin. Clean modernistic design. Truly a Scandinavian Modern ...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Sheepskin, Beech
- Scandinavian elegant lounge chair by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950sBy Carl MalmstenLocated in Eskilstuna, SEGreat lounge chair by Carl Malmsten. Model is 'Hemmakväll' and was designed in the 1940s. Original fabric in good condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- Swedish Beech Low Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for Dux, 1960sBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Chesham, GBA beech lounge chair in original orange fabric by Folke Ohlsson. Manufacturer - Dux Designer - Folke Ohlsson Design Period - 1960 to 1969 Style - Vintage, Mid-Century Detailed C...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- Teak Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX of SwedenBy Dux of Sweden, Folke OhlssonLocated in Dorchester, MADesigned by Folke Ohlsson and manufactured by Dux, this Scandinavian Modern lounge chair features an exposed teak frame and a very comfortable deep seat with wide armrests. At one...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Upholstery
- Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair by DUXBy Dux of Sweden, Folke OhlssonLocated in Highland, INClassic Scandinavian Modern by the founder of DUX in the United States– Folke Ohlsson. This lovely lounge chair has a beech frame with sculpted arms that supports loose cushions newl...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Birch
- Folke Ohlsson Lounge Chair by DUXBy Dux of Sweden, Folke OhlssonLocated in Highland, INThis generous lounge chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX is strikingly handsome and remarkably comfortable. The walnut base supports the body upholstered in black leatherette. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Folke Ohlsson for Dux Scissor ChairsBy Dux of Sweden, Folke OhlssonLocated in Philadelphia, PAFolke Ohlsson for DUX of Sweden Pair of Scissor Chairs. Oak frames with slat backs and removable Upholstered Cushions. Chairs were reupholstered about 15 years ago. Fabric still l...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
- Low Swedish Beech Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for Dux, 1960sBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Charleston, SCFolke Ohlsson slipper lounge chair manufactured for dux in Sweden, circa 1950s. This danish modern lounge chair Is made of the highest quality walnut. The chair also features a waln...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsBrass