Hans Olsen easy chairs

This rare pair of easy chairs was designed by Hans Olsen and produced by Viska Möbler in Kinna, Sweden during the 1960s. The chairs reflect Olsen’s distinctive combination of Scandinavian restraint and sculptural innovation, featuring an open and graceful form grounded in traditional craftsmanship and material authenticity. The design is structurally simple yet visually engaging, merging solid oak, natural canvas, and leather into a suspended seating system that evokes safari and campaign furniture while maintaining a clear Nordic character.

The frame is constructed from solid oak finished in a warm golden tone that highlights the wood’s visible grain and natural appeal. The seat and backrest are formed from a single piece of heavy-duty beige canvas, stretched tautly between the top rail and lower frame, creating a firm yet flexible support. The armrests consist of broad chestnut brown leather straps secured with visible brass rivets and detailed stitching, offering both tactile contrast and functional reinforcement. The chairs stand on square, tapered legs with a slight splay for stability, further strengthened by side and front stretchers that reinforce the base’s geometry.

Hans Olsen, active in both Denmark and Sweden during the mid-20th century, was recognized for his explorations of form and comfort, frequently experimenting with innovative construction methods and expressive shapes while adhering to minimalist structural principles. The production by Viska Möbler, a Swedish manufacturer known for high-quality solid wood furniture, reflects regional expertise and careful small-scale craftsmanship. The result is an understated yet refined piece suited to private homes as well as modernist collections.

The chairs are in very good original condition, with minor patina and fading on the canvas, light age-related wear on the oak frames, and supple, intact leather elements. The suspended construction remains firm, and all joinery is stable and structurally sound.

Each chair measures 66 cm in width, 65 cm in depth, and 75 cm in height, with a seat height of 33 cm. In imperial units, these dimensions correspond to approximately 26 inches wide, 25.6 inches deep, 29.5 inches high, and a seat height of 13 inches.