Gustav Axel Berg easy chair

The easy chair designed by Gustav Axel Berg and produced by Ferdinand Lundquist in Göteborg, Sweden, during the 1940s, is a representative example of Scandinavian mid-century modern furniture. The chair’s frame is crafted from birch wood, a material favored for its combination of strength, lightness, and warm natural appearance. The design features smoothly curved armrests that flow organically into the cantilevered seat, highlighting Berg’s mastery of bentwood techniques and ergonomic considerations in furniture design.

The seat and backrest consist of woven natural webbing straps, arranged in an interlaced pattern that provides both flexibility and support. This use of woven materials not only enhances the visual texture of the chair but also reinforces its structural durability. The interplay between the bentwood frame and the natural fiber webbing exemplifies the Scandinavian design ethos that balances form, function, and craftsmanship.

This chair remains in vintage condition, showing typical signs of wear consistent with its age. The birch frame exhibits a developed patina, contributing to the chair’s character and reflecting the natural aging of the wood. Similarly, the natural webbing shows slight variations that attest to its period use, while maintaining overall integrity.

Gustav Axel Berg was a notable Swedish designer recognized for his contributions to bentwood furniture, operating within the functionalist tradition of the early to mid-20th century. Ferdinand Lundquist, a respected furniture manufacturer based in Göteborg, played a significant role in producing high-quality Scandinavian design pieces, supporting the movement’s international reach and reputation.

The chair’s dimensions are 60.5 centimeters (23.8 inches) in width, 64 centimeters (25.2 inches) in depth, and 78 centimeters (30.7 inches) in height. The seat height measures 38 centimeters (15 inches), providing a comfortable and practical scale suited for relaxed seating environments.