Rare Ilmari Tapiovaara for Lukkiseppo Four 'Chaco' Lounge Chairs with Table

Ilmari Tapiovaara for Lukkiseppo, set of four 'Chaco' armchairs with coffee table, leather, pine, brass, rope, Finland, design 1958

We present an exquisite ensemble of lounge chairs and a complementary coffee table, known as the Chaco collection, meticulously designed by the eminent Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara. This distinguished line was originally conceived for a United Nations project in Paraguay in 1958, where Tapiovaara designed both the production line and the furniture set to harmonize with local materials and conditions.

Tapiovaara embarked on a three-month journey to Paraguay as a UN-appointed expert. The Paraguayan government had solicited UN assistance to evaluate the potential for developing their furniture industry to meet export standards. The primary objective of Tapiovaara's visit was to explore avenues for enhancing the country's economy, particularly through the establishment of a viable furniture industry. His comprehensive study led to the positive conclusion that Paraguay's rich and diverse forest resources, encompassing thousands of wood species, offered significant opportunities for creating a thriving export furniture industry.

As part of his mission, Tapiovaara organized an exhibition to provide insights into the European export furniture industry and industrial design. The exhibition featured the Chaco chairs, showcasing a remarkable feature: the chairs could be packed and exported inside a leather roll, which also served as the seat. This ingenious construction used no metal, relying solely on wooden pegs, making it an excellent export article, as illustrated in his drawings.

The overall design of the Chaco chairs is inspired by safari chairs, with seats and backrests made from thick cognac leather. The backrest, adorned with a graceful lace finish on the back, is adjustable. The slightly reclined angle of the seat and backrest ensures a relaxed seating position, making these chairs ideal for casual and comfortable settings. The wide, supportive seat and angled legs contribute to the chairs' stability and comfort, with the straps loosely attached to the wooden profile. The framework is composed of round contoured pine parts, characterized by its open-frame design. This construction technique gives the chairs an airy quality, making them appear less bulky and more inviting. Despite its delicacy in appearance, the structure is robust and built to last. The accompanying coffee table, with its uncomplicated appearance and clear geometric configuration, allows the intrinsic properties of the pine to stand out. The simplicity of the Chaco collection underscores the beauty of its natural materials. It focuses on the purity of form and function, allowing the inherent qualities of the wood and leather to take center stage.

Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999) was a distinguished Finnish designer, initially trained as an interior designer. During World War II, Tapiovaara's early career involved designing equipment for the Finnish army. This experience familiarized him with the use of basic, readily available materials, such as local woods, and techniques that did not rely on nails or screws. After the war, Tapiovaara, together with his wife, founded their own design practice. He became renowned for his innovative and functional designs, securing numerous assignments from educational institutions, including schools and universities. His work is celebrated for its simplicity, practicality, and the seamless integration of form and function, which left a lasting impact on Finnish design and beyond.

Dimensions chairs: listed on the page
Dimensions table: H 50.5 W 130.5 D 79 cm / H 19.88 W 51.38 D 31.10 in.

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