Arne Norell sofa

This two-seat Ilona sofa, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden during the 1960s, exemplifies the designer’s fusion of structural clarity and tactile comfort. Its frame is constructed from solid beechwood, left in a natural finish that has mellowed to a warm honey tone over time. The cylindrical posts and rails are connected with visible dowel and mortise-and-tenon joinery, celebrating the piece’s honest construction rather than concealing it.

Suspended within this open framework are the original black leather slings that form both seat and back cushions. The thick vegetable-tanned hide has softened to a deep charcoal patina, bearing gentle creasing and surface variations where the leather flexes most. Wide leather straps wrap around the frame’s rear posts and secure the cushions with solid brass buckles. These buckles, now muted by age, punctuate the sofa’s silhouette with precise, functional hardware that doubles as a decorative motif when viewed from behind.

The sofa’s proportions are generous yet balanced: it spans 150 cm in width and 80 cm in depth, with an overall height of 78 cm and a comfortable seat height of 42 cm. The cushions are filled with resilient padding that maintains form without sacrificing softness. The backrests rise just high enough to support the lumbar region, promoting a relaxed posture while preserving the frame’s lightweight aesthetic.

Arne Norell (1917–1971) was renowned for blending traditional craftsmanship with modernist principles. In the Ilona series, he drew inspiration from both Scandinavian woodworking traditions and English saddle-bag suspensions, resulting in seating that is at once rustic and refined. Arne Norell AB’s in-house workshop ensured that each piece met exacting standards of joinery, leatherwork and finish, allowing the structural elements to remain visible as part of the overall design language.

This two-seat Ilona remains in good vintage condition. The beech frame shows only minor scuffing at the leg bases and soft rounding at high-contact edges. The leather retains its suppleness and shows no splits or tears, while the brass buckles exhibit a gentle tarnish consistent with careful use. Overall, the sofa stands as a compelling example of Norell’s approach to honest materials, exposed construction and enduring comfort.