Otto Schulz attrib. easy chair

This easy chair, attributed to Otto Schulz and produced in Sweden during the 1940s, presents a sculptural silhouette rooted in the era’s decorative yet modern sensibility. Its form is composed of two distinct upholstered elements—a broad, undulating seat and a slightly concave backrest—each defined by sinuous, wave-like contours that cradle the body. The seat flares outward at the front, offering generous thigh support, while the backrest narrows at its upper edge and expands toward the lower section, echoing the proportions of the human torso and creating a sense of enveloping comfort.

Both upholstered sections are covered in the original amber-brown velvet, a thick-pile textile whose soft, slightly lustrous surface reveals subtle shifts in tone as light plays across the pile. Deep button tufting in a regular grid pattern punctuates each cushion, adding visual texture and structural tension to the plush forms. These tuft details, characteristic of Schulz’s post-functionalist approach, lend the chair a refined, period-appropriate elegance while ensuring the upholstery remains taut and supportive.

Supporting the upholstered shell is a robust frame of solid beechwood, stained to a deep reddish-brown that harmonizes with the velvet’s warm hue. The legs rise from the base at pronounced angles, splaying outward to enhance both stability and visual presence. Each leg is faceted and tapers from a broad shoulder to a narrow foot, reinforcing the chair’s architectural character. The joinery is precise, with tight mortise-and-tenon connections that underscore the piece’s craftsmanship.

Otto Schulz (1882–1970) was a German-born designer who brought a richly decorative vocabulary to Swedish interiors through his Gothenburg firm, Boet. His work bridges the ornamental qualities of the Swedish Grace movement and the emerging clean lines of mid-century modernism. Although this easy chair remains unattributed in company records, its voluminous upholstery, rhythmic tufting and dramatic leg stance align closely with Schulz’s known designs and his commitment to marrying comfort with formal expressiveness.

In good vintage condition, the velvet upholstery shows even fading and slight pressure marks in high-contact areas while retaining its original pile and resilience. The beechwood legs bear minor nicks and scuffs—particularly near the base—that attest to decades of use without compromising structural integrity. The chair measures 93 cm in width, 71 cm in depth and 79 cm in height, with a seat height of 35 cm, offering both a commanding presence and a welcoming perch in any mid-century or contemporary setting.