Folke Ohlsson pioneered the “knock-down” revolution of furniture, making the innovative flat-pack means of manufacturing and shipping common practice. Credited with playing a significant part in bringing Scandinavian modern forms to the United States, he was an international designer who created attractive pieces that are highly coveted by today’s collectors.
In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). While leading the design team for Studio Ljungs Industrier in his native Malmö, Ohlsson visited the West Coast of the United States in 1950 and opened DUX Inc., to expand the company’s global footprint. DUX put into practice an idea that Ohlsson patented for the so-called “knock-down,” or “KD,” chair, a term referencing easy, flat-pack assembly. It saved DUX space in warehouses and money on transportation and was a concept that would inspire hundreds of subsequent companies — most notably fellow Swedish brand IKEA.
Integrating American upholstery with Swedish knock-down hardware and wooden frames, Ohlsson and DUX revolutionized the furniture industry. The manufacturer consistently worked with brilliant mid-century modern designers — among them Bruno Mathsson, Edward Wormley and Alf Svensson — expanding the brand’s portfolio and establishing credibility as a design source. Today vintage DUX sofas and dining chairs are valuable collector’s items, and the space-saving attributes and efficiency associated with the company’s modular designs continue to influence manufacturers all over the world.
Partly because of the affordability of DUX’s furniture — as well as an understandable affinity for the simplicity, warmth and coziness of Scandinavian modern design — postwar America embraced Ohlsson’s vision. One of Ohlsson’s best-known designs is the Profil lounge chair, built on a teak frame that can rock or recline with the push of a lever, while the wool bouclé upholstery is sumptuous and stylish. Another iconic collection is the clean, minimal Pasadena set of sofas, footstools and armchairs, fashioned from solid walnut with brass sabots.
The Milano Triennale and the “Good Design” exhibition series at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art distinguished Ohlsson with more than 30 awards. In 1964, he was honored with Sweden’s Royal Order of Vasa decoration by King Gustav VI Adolf because of his role in exporting modern Scandinavian aesthetics to America. Ohlsson’s designs were also produced by Bodafors and Fritz Hansen.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of Folke Ohlsson seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs in walnut by Folke Ohlsson, produced by DUX, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Teak
Folke Ohlsson armchair "Profile" DUX of Sweden 1960
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Paris, IDF
Folke Ohlsson armchair "Profile" made by DUX of Sweden around 1960. Original fabric in beige velvet. Good condition DUX launched a number of generously increased upholstered seatin...
Wood
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs in walnut by Folke Ohlsson, produced by DUX, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Teak
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs in walnut by Folke Ohlsson, produced by DUX, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Teak
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs by Folke Ohlsson, produced by DUX, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Teak, Walnut
$9,315 / set
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs in teak by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Walnut
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
DUX Folke Ohlsson Midcentury Danish Modern Lounge Chair
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning, rare midcentury lounge / armchair for DUX by Folke Ohlsson. Acquired from the estate of a midcentury Architect in Anchorage Alaska! Many ite...
Fabric, Wood
Swedish Vintage U.S.A Armchair by Folke Ohlsson for Dux
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in London, GB
An iconic, stylish and extremely well made Swedish vintage leather U.S.A armchair by Folke Ohlsson for Dux, dating from the 1960’s. This is sleek and incredibly beautiful, the quali...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Fritz Hansen Armchair in Off White Wool by Folke Ohlsson
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Lounge chair number designed by Swedish Architect Folke Ohlsson in 1959 and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark during the 1960s. This particular version features off white/ sand...
Wool, Beech
Swedish Modern Leather and Teak Lounge Chairs by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folke Ohlsson for Dux of Sweden sculptural staved-teak lounge chairs (Model 72-C) featuring a rounded / slatted back and loose cushions. Frames have been ref...
Leather, Teak
High-back 'USA-75' armchair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchair in teak by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, 1960s. Good original condition. Recently treated with leather wash and leather conditioner.
Walnut, Leather
Folke Ohlsson armchair model USA for DUX Sweden 1960
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Paris, IDF
Timeless Scandinavian design with this Folke Ohlsson armchair, Model USA, made by DUX of Sweden n in the 1960s. The chair features a beautifully crafted teak wood frame paired with...
Teak
Black Leather USA-75 Armchair by Folke Olsson for DUX, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchair in walnut by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, early 1960s. Very good condition.
Walnut
Swedish Modern Duxello Wing Back Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Hanover, MA
Duxello wingback lounge chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX of Sweden. This was one of his early designs, dating to 1955. The wings have such a dramatic profile along with the ti...
Beech
Swedish teak armchair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage Scandinavian armchair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX in teak with Vienna straw back and ice gray fabric cushions. Scandinavian teak armchair with Vienna straw back designed by Fol...
Teak, Fabric
Swedish Vintage Armchair by Folke Ohlsson for Dux
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely comfortable Swedish vintage armchair by Folke Ohlsson for Dux. This is an early model dating from the 1950’s, we have recently imported this from Sweden. It ...
Bouclé, Beech
1970s Folke Ohlsson Armchair 4410 in Leatherette, Denmark
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use - Leatherette in good original condition with some signs of use - Polished and cleaned
Faux Leather
Pair of Dux Swedish Modern Teak Accent Dining Armchairs
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Kensington, MD
Gracious & pleasing lines comprise the frame of this pair of Swedish Modern arm chairs. Designed by Folke Ohlsson for Dux. Use as occasional...
Upholstery, Teak
$6,986 / set
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs in teak by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s. Excellent vintage condition with signs of usage and patina.
Teak
Large Norwegian Teak Armchair with Ottoman by Folke Ohlsson for Westnofa 1960.
By Folke Ohlsson, Westnofa Furniture
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian armchair available with its footrest. A clever metal system allows the armchair to tilt and offers great comfort with a slight rocking effect. The armchair has ...
Fabric, Teak
'Colorado' by Folke Olsson for Bodafors, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchair in walnut by Folke Ohlsson for Bodafors, produced 1960. Seat cushion in black leather.
Walnut
Midcentury Lounge Chair, Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Teak
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Belmont, MA
Midcentury teak lounge chair with curved back. This iconic chair was designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX (Model 72-C). It was made in Sweden and dates back to ...
Teak
1960's Dux Swedish Modern Sculpted Walnut Accent Chair by Folke Ohlsson
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in West Chester, PA
Mid-Century Modern Dux Sculpted Walnut Chair by Folke Ohlsson reupholstered at some point in a woven abstract fabric as pictured. Circa 1960's un...
Upholstery, Walnut
Peter Lovig Nielsen Desk + Folke Ohlsson Armchair, 1960s, Scandinavian Design
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Desk, Denmark, circa 1960s. Designed by Peter Lovig Nielsen, this model is known as the Boomerang Desk because of its slightly curved top. Our model is constructed of oiled teak with...
Metal
Pair of Arm Chairs by Folke Ohllson for Dux, Sweden, Circa 1960s
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of armchairs upholstered in leather, by Folke Ohllson, for Dux, Sweden, circa 1960s.
Leather, Birch
"Monterey" armchair by Folke Ohlsson, Sweden, 1962
By Folke Ohlsson, Bodafors
Located in Brescia, IT
Armchair model "Monterey" designed by Folke Ohlsson and produced by Bodafors in 1962. Oak frame and reupholstered cushions. "Monterey" armchair designed by Folke Ohlsson and manufac...
Oak
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs by Folke Ohlsson, produced by DUX, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Walnut
$7,568 / set
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Teak
Folke Ohlson Rare Model "Ascot" Oak Armchair a pair by DUX, Sweden, 1960
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare model by Folke Ohlsson, a pair of 'Ascot' armchairs made in light color natural Oak, for DUX Sweden, 1960s. Very comfortable model with a solid oak frame . Upholstered back and...
Oak
Rare "Horn" Accent Armchair in Beech by Folke Ohllson for DUX, Sweden, c. 1950s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare "horn" chair designed by the influential Folke Ohlsson for the Swedish firm DUX. Recently and meticulously restored this sculptural chair, made from solid beech wo...
Beech