Rolf Rastad & Adolf Relling armchairs

This rare pair of armchairs, model Bambi, was designed by Norwegian designers Rolf Rastad and Adolf Relling in the 1950s and produced by Gustav Bahus & Eft in Norway. The chairs are crafted from solid teak, featuring seat and backrest surfaces composed of hand-woven cane. This combination integrates flexibility and visual lightness with structural strength, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of materials and form.

The frames exhibit a soft, organic geometry characterized by smoothly rounded edges and tapered legs, hallmarks of Scandinavian mid-century design. The armrests flow continuously into the curved backrest, which is supported by finely detailed vertical cane weaving. Wrapped cane elements articulate the curvature of the teak structure, enhancing the visual rhythm and emphasizing craftsmanship. The seat features a flat basketweave pattern in natural cane, providing breathability and resilience.

Over time, the teak has developed a warm, rich patina, while the cane remains in good vintage condition, showing only slight wear consistent with age and use. The chairs’ open, lightweight form emphasizes material honesty and craftsmanship, core values of postwar Scandinavian modernism.

Rolf Rastad and Adolf Relling were key figures in Norwegian design after World War II. Their collaboration through the Rastad & Relling studio produced numerous influential furniture models that helped shape the Scandinavian modern movement. Gustav Bahus & Eft, a Bergen-based manufacturer, was known for its high-quality craftsmanship and produced many of the studio’s notable designs.

The chairs exemplify mid-century Scandinavian style with influences from both Danish and Norwegian traditions, focusing on minimalism, functionalism, and organic expression of materials.

Each chair measures 62 centimeters in width, 54 centimeters in depth, and 74.5 centimeters in height, with a seat height of 44 centimeters (approximately 24.4 x 21.3 x 29.3 inches, seat height 17.3 inches).