Arne Norell
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a "Gary" (the Thumb) easy chair, Gösta Westerberg, Stockholm, 1950s.
Upholstered in two shades of grey, with buttons on the back and beech legs. Height 79 cm, width ca 70 cm, seat height ca 38 cm.
Reupholstered, wear.
Literature
Arthur Hald (ed.), "FORM", no. 3/4 1952, the model illustrated in an advertisement for Gösta Westerberg.
More information
The armchair "Gary" (The Thumb) designed in 1952, was first showcased at the Önskehem exhibition the same year alongside other future Swedish classics such as Greta Magnusson Grossman's floor lamp "G-33". The shape of these unusual armchairs reflects the post-World War II era. Architects and designers were inspired by contemporary sculpture, such as the works of Jean Arp, Henry Moore, or Barbara Hepworth, featuring organic, soft, and sometimes asymmetrical forms.
During this period, Arne Norell was employed as a foreman at the interior design firm Gösta Westerberg in Stockholm.
Designer
Arne Norell was a Swedish furniture designer. He started his own workshop in Solna, just outside Stockholm, in 1954. Norell was versatile and successfully utilised various material combinations such as turned wood, bentwood, support leather, fabric, leather, and metal. Many of his models only began production after his death. Norell was inspired by Danish design, which is evident in his lounge chair "Ari". The chair was awarded "Showpiece of the year" in 1973 by the British Furniture Manufacturer. "Sirocco" is another well-known piece of furniture signed by Norell.
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