Pair of Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs 'Pedro' Armchairs, Finland, 1950s

This pair of armchairs was designed by Carl-Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs and produced by his own company, Puunveisto Oy (Wood Work Ltd), in Finland during the 1950s. The model is called Pedro, one of the designer’s most recognised chairs alongside his celebrated Siesta. With its outward-pointing, elongated legs and gently curved backrest, the chair was designed to look good from every angle.

The armrests curve outward and the backrest has a slight forward bend, giving the pair a welcoming, softly upholstered silhouette. Each backrest has a buttoned detail, with a loose cushion on the seat. The chairs are upholstered in a dusty rose chenille fabric with a subtle textured finish and a soft, velvet-like appearance. The legs are in light birch wood.

The chairs are in overall good condition. The upholstery is of a later date and is well preserved. The legs have been restored, with minor wear consistent with age and use. One leg has a fine surface line in the wood, visible on close inspection but not affecting stability or use.

Biography: Carl Gustav Hiort af Ornäs (1911-1996) was a Finnish-Swedish interior designer with his own furniture manufacturing shop on Lauttasaari in Helsinki from 1945. His designs were sold by Nupponen in Finland and Gösta Westerberg Möbel AB in Sweden. His work is characterized by an emphasis on clean lines, organic shapes, and the use of natural materials, particularly wood, which was central to his design philosophy.