Carl-Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs easy chairs

This rare pair of easy chairs was designed by Carl-Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs and produced by Puunveisto Oy in Finland during the 1950s. The design reflects the Finnish post-war modernist approach to seating furniture, where sculptural wooden structures were combined with generous upholstered volumes. Hiort af Ornäs is known for creating furniture that balances functional comfort with refined structural clarity, and these chairs demonstrate his characteristic attention to proportion and material contrast.

The chairs are constructed with a solid birch base, forming an expressive leg structure that defines the visual character of the design. The legs are angled and faceted, extending outward from the seat frame in a dynamic configuration that provides both structural stability and a sculptural profile. The birch wood displays a warm honey-toned surface with visible grain patterns and natural tonal variation. The legs taper elegantly toward the floor, while the rear supports rise diagonally to meet the back of the upholstered shell. The wood surfaces show light signs of wear and minor patination consistent with age, while retaining a well-preserved and stable condition.

The upholstered bodies consist of a softly curved seat and backrest integrated into a continuous form. The backrest inclines gently and widens slightly toward the upper edge, providing a supportive surface for the back while maintaining a compact silhouette. The armrests extend forward in a subtle curve and terminate in rounded ends that soften the otherwise structured geometry. The chairs have been newly reupholstered in a velvet fabric with a deep muted green tone that shifts between blue-green and grey-green depending on the direction of light. The velvet surface introduces a subtle sheen and a soft texture that contrasts with the smooth, natural finish of the birch legs.

The seat cushions are slightly rounded and rest within the upholstered frame, creating a layered appearance with clearly defined edges. The upholstery is tightly fitted and follows the contours of the chair’s frame with precise seams and smooth transitions across the armrests and backrest. The combination of the organic upholstery forms and the sharply angled wooden legs is characteristic of Finnish furniture design of the 1950s, where natural materials and sculptural woodwork were frequently emphasized.

Carl-Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs was an influential Finnish designer and architect who contributed significantly to the development of modern furniture in Finland during the mid-twentieth century. His work often explored structural clarity and innovative wooden constructions, frequently collaborating with skilled Finnish manufacturers. Puunveisto Oy, the producer of these chairs, was known for high-quality woodworking and for manufacturing several of Hiort af Ornäs’ designs during the post-war period. The company specialized in solid wood furniture and played an important role in the dissemination of Finnish modern design.

Each chair measures 71.5 cm in height, 66 cm in width, and 76 cm in depth, corresponding to approximately 28.1 inches in height, 26 inches in width, and 29.9 inches in depth. The seat height is 41 cm, which corresponds to approximately 16.1 inches. The chairs remain in good vintage condition with small signs of usage to the wooden elements, while the velvet upholstery is newly applied and well preserved.