Falcon Lounge Chairs in Beige Leather & Chrome by Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Møbler, 1970s, Set of 2

Model · Falcon
Designer · Sigurd Ressell
Manufacturer · Vatne Møbler
Origin · Norway
Period · 1970s
Style · Scandinavian Modern / Mid-Century Modern
Materials · Chrome-plated steel, leather
Colour · Polished chrome, beige

Object

Falcon does not really sit on its frame. It hangs inside it. A sculptural piece of leather is suspended from four points of polished steel, creating a seat that responds to the body almost like a hammock. The structure carries the weight, but the space between becomes just as important as the material itself.

Ressell developed the chair around 1970 from an earlier competition design called Blank Vals. Its suspended construction allowed comfort to emerge from gravity rather than heavy upholstery, giving Falcon its unmistakable floating silhouette. These early steel versions have a particular clarity: polished metal almost disappears beneath pale leather, leaving the body suspended somewhere between furniture and air. As a pair, they seem to hover quietly above the floor.

Designer

Sigurd Ressell (1920–2010) trained in carpentry at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry before beginning a career that moved between craftsmanship, interiors and industrial furniture design. His early work remained rooted in wood, but by the 1960s he had become increasingly interested in steel, suspension and furniture that could move more freely around the body.

That experimentation eventually led to Falcon. After joining Vatne Møbler as chief designer in 1968, Ressell transformed his competition prototype into a chair that would travel around the world. Its success was extraordinary, but the idea behind it remained remarkably simple: allow a few carefully chosen materials, held in tension, to do almost everything.

Manufacturer

Vatne Møbler began in the Norwegian village of Vatne in 1946, initially producing upholstered lounge furniture before becoming one of the important names in postwar Norwegian design. Its collaborations with designers such as Fredrik A. Kayser and Sigurd Ressell helped establish a distinctive language built around comfort, craftsmanship and increasingly adventurous construction.

Falcon became the company's great international breakthrough. After entering production in the early 1970s, the chair travelled from Norway into homes across Europe, the United States, Japan and Australia, turning an experiment in suspended seating into one of the most recognisable Norwegian chairs of its era.

Condition

The chrome-plated steel frames remain fully original and are preserved in excellent vintage condition, while the leather cushions have been newly upholstered in beige leather. Both lounge chairs retain their original structure and are presented in excellent 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 · 78 cm / 30.7 in
Depth · 78 cm / 30.7 in
Height · 83 cm / 32.6 in
Seat height · 38 cm / 14.9 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 10-15 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.

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