Bertil Fridhagen easy chair

This is a very rare easy chair designed by Swedish furniture designer Bertil Fridhagen, produced by Bodafors in Sweden in 1961. The chair is an expressive and sculptural piece representative of the Scandinavian mid-century aesthetic, emphasizing craftsmanship, material integrity, and relaxed ergonomics.

The frame is constructed from solid oak, shaped into a continuous, curved structure that forms the legs, seat supports, and armrests with a seamless visual flow. The oak has a warm honey tone with a clearly visible grain that accentuates the organic lines of the form. The chair features an integrated sling seat made from naturally patinated brown leather, complemented by a rear white canvas panel that adds tensile strength and structural contrast. The leather seat is suspended by visible leather lacing at the back, and the material has developed subtle creasing and wear consistent with vintage use.

The overall silhouette of the chair is dynamic and lightweight, with angled front and rear legs that create a visual and functional balance. The sweeping arms and low-slung seat emphasize a relaxed, reclining posture, characteristic of the Scandinavian approach to leisure seating during the mid-20th century.

Bertil Fridhagen was known for his elegant, often understated designs that explored both functional innovation and material honesty. This model, marked “Design B. Fridhagen – Made in Sweden 1961” beneath the frame, is one of his more distinctive contributions to postwar Swedish furniture design. Bodafors, the Swedish manufacturer, was an important contributor to mid-century Scandinavian design, collaborating with several prominent Swedish designers and focusing on high-quality, durable, and visually refined furnishings.

The chair remains in good vintage condition, with only minor signs of wear consistent with careful use. It stands as a refined example of Swedish craftsmanship and the aesthetic values of mid-century modernism.

Dimensions are 66.5 cm in width, 77 cm in depth, and 80 cm in height, with a seat height of 40 cm, corresponding approximately to 26.2 inches wide, 30.3 inches deep, 31.5 inches high, and a seat height of 15.7 inches.