Oak Worpsweder Armchair by Willi Ohler for Erich Schultz, Germany 1920s

This beautiful 'Worpsweder' armchair was designed in the 1920s by German artist, Willi Ohler and was manufactured by Erich Schultz in Germany. The so-called “Worpsweder” either denote chairs made at the Worpsweder Kunsthütten (Worpsweder arts huts) in Germany, or a specific style of German chairs with solid wood frames, broad armrests, often from tall wood, with woven seats and backs.

The “Worpsweather” style’s design language and materiality is embodied in this pair: the structures are made up of solid oak elements. The seats and backs are woven braided from rush. This chair carries with it the same beloved modernist characteristics applied to American, Scandinavian, and Italian mid-century design – simple, functional – and shows the generally less known early 20th century rustic side of German design. The woven rush seat and back define the armchair’s aesthetic. The straight wooden lines of the minimalist wooden frame serve as the perfect canvas to showcase the appealing and artistic rush weaving. The structure has an airy impression despite being sturdy that is further enhanced by the absence of stretchers between the legs. With the additional organic charm provided by the woven rush seats, this chair is an ideal accent piece. The expert rush weaving pairs beautifully with the solid wood body, and gives this Worpsweder chair its rustic and organic charm.

Worpswede in Lower Saxony is famous nationwide for its long tradition as an artists' colony. Nowadays, about 130 artists and craftsmen and women live there permanently. The artists who created the so called "Worpsweder Kuentlerkolonie" were looking for the simple and original in art and life. One of the most famous members of this colony was Paula Modersohn-Becker. The traditional reed and rush woven chairs of this region were greatly appreciated by the artists of the colony, and some of them were still produced around 1900-1920. They have become collectors’ pieces thanks to the craftsmanship that went into each chair’s creation.

Condition:
In very good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some marks and scratches on the wood and rush panels.