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Pair of “Model 223” Armchairs by Kurt Olsen for Slagelse Møbelværk, Denmark 1955

Creator: Kurt Olsen - Slagelse Møbelvaerk (Slagelse Mobelvaerk)
Offered by: H. Gallery

Description
This pair of “Model 223” armchairs are classic examples of mid-century Scandinavian design. The design is timeless and modern with great attention to quality and function.

The Danish designer, Kurt Olsen is known as a furniture architect who liked to find unconventional ways to connect the back- and armrests with the legs. In this model’s case, the back legs support the backrest, while the paddle-shaped armrests are connected to the front legs. The turned frame is made of solid Brazilian rosewood. Kurt Olsen designed the heavy rosewood frame of this particular model for Slagelse Mobelvaerk, which builds character for the chair. This chair design is fairly wide and can easily cater to be used as an easy chair or a desk chair as well. The joinery of the armrests is reminiscent of Hans Wegner.

The deep green upholstery compliments the rosewood frames beautifully, creating an elegant look. “Model 223” was originally sold at the Illums Bolighus flagship store in Copenhagen, the illustrious retailer founded in 1925 that showcased the era’s iconic designs.

Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been recently reupholstered in a premium fabric.

Dimensions:
25.19 in W x 21.85 in D x 31.10 in H; Seat height 18.50 in
64 cm W x 55.5 cm D x 79 cm H; Seat height 47 cm

Literature
Grete Jalk [ed.], “40 Years of Danish Furniture Design”, Vol. 3, p. 315.

About the designer:
Kurt Olsen is one of the more anonymous designers, even though his designs are well-known and truly stunning. Mid-fifties Kurt Olsen designed primarily for the Danish manufactory, Slagelse Møbelvaerk, where master joiners A. Andersen and Bohm made a lot of his designs. This collaboration resulted in an array of seating furniture culminating in his masterpiece lounge- and armchairs.

Furniture from Slagelse Møbelvaerk is considered to be essential in any good collection of Danish mid-century furniture. The Danish furniture manufacturer produced a substantial part of many Danish designers’ models between the 1940s and 1970s, including Kurt Ostervig, Arne Vodder, Ib Kofod-Larsen, and Kurt Olsen.

Slagelse collaborated with an array of renewing Danish designers to bring new and daring designs. At Slagelse Møbelvaerk, Kurt Olsen and his fellow designers got to work with a team of highly skilled craftsmen, who allowed their designs’ complex shapes and joints to take form. ~H.

More Information

Documentation:	Ample Provenance
Origin:	Denmark
Period:	1950-1979
Materials:	premium fabric, rosewood
Condition:	Good. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been recently reupholstered in a premium fabric.
Creation Date:	1955
Number of Pieces:	2-3
Styles / Movements:	Modern, Mid Century, Scandinavian Modern
Book References:	Grete Jalk [ed.], “40 Years of Danish Furniture Design”, Vol. 3, p. 315.
Dealer Reference #:	20200393
Incollect Reference #:	403076

Dimensions

W.	25.2 in;	H.	31.1 in;	D.	21.85 in;
W.	64 cm;	H.	79 cm;	D.	55.5 cm;

Seat H.	18.5 in;
Seat H.	47 cm;

Message from Seller:

Located in Utrecht, The Netherlands, H. Gallery specializes in modern and contemporary design with a strong focus on Brazil and Scandinavia. The gallery strives to preserve and promote especially Brazil's rich design heritage and curates a select group of contemporary artists. Meticulous research, ie getting in contact with the original designers, producers, their heirs, and retrieving and indexing old catalogues and magazines is at the heart of its activities. All works presented excel in great

Sold