2x W1 chair, Werner West, Wilhelm Schauman Ltd., c. 1930

A pair of dining chairs by Finnish designer Werner West (1890 – 1959). West played a key part in laying the foundations of Functionalism in Finland. Included in his resumé are the furnishings for the Parliament House in Helsinki. 

These W1 chairs, perhaps his most produced, are a nod to the bentwood chairs produced in Austria at the beginning of the century (and before), which also take advantage of the advancement of plywood at the time. The exaggeratedly curved back rest, made of plywood comfort the sitters back, hence why it is known as the ‘Hugging chair’. The curve on the back also allows the chairs to be lifted off the ground when not in use or when cleaning the floor, as they can be hooked onto the table top.

Condition:

Good condition, some scuffs / chips to the paint having been resprayed in the past ten years.