Manta Lounge Chairs in Beige Leather & Bent Plywood by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, 1970s, Set of 2

Model · Manta
Designer · Ingmar Relling
Manufacturer · Westnofa
Origin · Norway
Period · 1970s
Style · Scandinavian Modern / Mid-Century Modern
Materials · Bent plywood, leather, fabric
Colour · Light beech, beige

Object

Manta seems to open around the body. Two broad curves of bent plywood sweep from the floor into the arms, holding a suspended seat between them like a soft surface inside a wooden shell. The structure is generous but remarkably light, with empty space doing almost as much work as the material itself.

Designed by Relling in the 1970s, Manta belongs to a more expressive moment in Scandinavian modernism. The disciplined lines of earlier decades became wider, lower and more relaxed, yet the basic idea remained beautifully simple: bend wood, suspend the body and let gravity provide the comfort. As a pair, the chairs have an almost architectural presence, two pale structures shaped around the simple act of slowing down.

Designer

Ingmar Relling (1920–2002) grew up in Sykkylven, a small Norwegian town surrounded by mountains and furniture workshops. After working at Rastad & Relling, he established his own studio there in 1950 and began developing a language shaped by economy, movement and the possibilities of industrial production.

His experiments with suspended seating became central to that language. Rather than building comfort through mass and heavy upholstery, Relling allowed flexible materials and bentwood structures to respond naturally to the body. Manta carried those ideas into the 1970s, becoming broader and more sculptural while preserving the lightness that made his furniture unmistakably his own.

Manufacturer

Westnofa was created to carry Norwegian furniture beyond Norway. Its name, derived from West Norway Factories, represented a group of manufacturers working together to bring the country's emerging design culture to an international audience.

Ingmar Relling became one of the designers most closely associated with that story. His furniture travelled into homes around the world, and designs such as Manta carried a distinctly Norwegian approach to bentwood, comfort and structural clarity far beyond Scandinavia.

Condition

The bent plywood frames and fabric and leather supports remain original and are beautifully preserved. The original light beige leather seating has been carefully restored while retaining its authentic character. Both lounge chairs are preserved in excellent, nearly new vintage condition. As with any authentic vintage pieces, subtle traces of age and previous use may be present, adding to their history and individual character.

Dimensions

Width · 85 cm / 33.5 in
Depth · 90 cm / 35.4 in
Height · 100 cm / 39.4 in
Seat height · 43 cm / 16.9 in

Included

The lounge chairs are accompanied by a Back to the Furniture Certificate of Originality, a Back to the Furniture flyer, a Thank You card and a small gift.

Availability

The lounge chairs can be ready to ship within 5 workdays.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available. Every piece is carefully prepared and packed for international transport. Shipping costs are calculated according to destination at checkout, with tracking provided after dispatch.

Enquiries

For questions about the piece, its condition, shipping, delivery or any other details, please get in touch. Additional information is always available before purchase.

© Back to the Furniture