Karl-Erik Ekselius easy chairs

This pair of easy chairs was designed by Karl-Erik Ekselius and produced by JOC in Vetlanda, Sweden, during the 1960s. The design exemplifies Ekselius’s refined Scandinavian modern aesthetic, where precision joinery, high-quality materials, and comfort converge in a balanced, architectural form.

The chairs are constructed in solid walnut, displaying warm tones and a fine, even grain. The frame features clean, rectilinear lines softened by subtly rounded edges, reflecting the craftsmanship for which JOC Vetlanda was known. The original black leather upholstery is deeply button-tufted, contributing both texture and a sense of tailored elegance. The cushions retain their original filling, and the leather has developed a rich, natural patina with areas of wear, including two buttons that show signs of age-related use.

Karl-Erik Ekselius (1914–1998) was one of Sweden’s leading postwar furniture designers, best known for his work that blended rational design with refined material sensitivity. His collaboration with JOC Vetlanda resulted in some of the most enduring examples of Swedish modern seating, appreciated for their ergonomic form and timeless restraint.

The pair remains in good vintage condition with visible signs of wear consistent with age and use. The walnut frames are well preserved, with a deep, even surface tone, and the leather upholstery displays natural creasing and patina that enhance the overall character of the pieces.

Dimensions: 83 × 83 × 69 cm (32.7 × 32.7 × 27.2 in), seat height 40 cm (15.7 in).