Otto Schulz attrib. easy chairs

This rare pair of easy chairs, attributed to Otto Schulz and produced by Boet in Gothenburg in the 1930s, exemplifies the transition from Swedish Grace to early Scandinavian modernism. Their frames are crafted from pale birch, the wood’s fine, straight grain softly highlighted by a light, hand-applied oil finish. Over time the birch has mellowed to a warm honey tone, with gentle surface patina that accentuates the chairs’ rounded forms.

Each chair presents a continuous, embracing silhouette: the gently curved backrest flows seamlessly into the low armrests, creating a cocoon-like profile. The back surface is vertically channel-stitched into subtle segments, lending both structural reinforcement and visual cadence. The seat is generously proportioned, its deep padding supported by a concealed webbing system that combines firmness with supple give. Below, four short, conical legs splay outward slightly, balancing stability with a grounded, compact stance.

Upholstered in the original pale blue mohair velvet, the chairs retain their refined color palette. The velvet’s lustrous nap shows minor variations in tone where the pile has settled, especially along the armrest edges and back channels, imparting a lived-in depth. There are gentle pressure marks in the seat areas and slight fading along the top of the backs—signs of age that lend authenticity without detracting from overall integrity. All stitching remains intact, and the upholstery maintains its sculptural tautness.

Otto Schulz (1889–1952) was both an architect and furniture designer whose work at Boet merged classical craftsmanship with modern sensibilities. Founded in the 1920s, Boet served as a hub for progressive Swedish design, showcasing pieces that balanced decorative detail with emerging functionalist ideals. Schulz’s channel-stitched surfaces and use of sumptuous materials anticipated the cleaner lines and material honesty that defined postwar Scandinavian furniture.

Boet’s workshop in Gothenburg was celebrated for its meticulous joinery and high-quality upholstery, and these easy chairs reflect that legacy. Their birch frames exhibit precise mortise-and-tenon construction, while the mohair coverings were cut and sewn by hand to follow the chairs’ curving contours. Together, they form a discreetly luxurious yet unadorned composition, rooted in interwar craftsmanship yet pointing forward to mid-century modern clarity.

In very good vintage condition, these chairs show the expected wear of a near-ninety-year-old upholstered piece—patinated wood, softened velvet pile, and minor surface scuffs on the legs—without any structural compromise. Their dimensions offer generous comfort: 90 cm in width, 87 cm in depth, and 69 cm in height, with a seat height of 40 cm (approximately 35.4 by 34.3 by 27.2 inches overall, and a 15.7-inch seat height). These chairs stand as a refined example of early Scandinavian design, where sculptural form, material integrity, and artisanal technique converge.