Armchair, ‘Ateljee 3121’ designed by Yrjö Kukkapuro (b. 1933; Finland). Finnish 1963-64. Manufactured by Ryman Conran in UK, under licence of Haimi Oy, Helsinki.

Stained oak veneer plywood frame, with Pirelli webbing supporting particle foam rubber cushions, covered with black hide. The arms have cushions over the top edge, secured with snap fasteners on outer sides. The chair is supported on four short steel tube legs. ‘Knock down’ construction.

Description of craftsman, Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
Yrjö Kukkapuro. Architect and designer. Born 1933. Trained Helsinki University. Own office from1959, Kauniainen. Work exhibited Finnish Society of Crafts and Design Annual Exhibitions 1959, 1964, 1966; Milan Triennale, 1960, 1968; Ornamo 50th Anniversary Gala Exhibition, 1962; one man exhibition (furniture) Finnish Design Centre 1962; Finnish Export Exhibitions, Yugoslavia and Israel 1963 and 1964; 60 years of Finnish Industrial Design Exhibition, Stockholm 1963; Finlandia Industrial Design Exhibition, Europe, USA, 1964, 1967; Modern Chairs, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam 1966; Eurodamus I Genoa 1966, Eurodamus II Turin 1968; Art of Living Salon des Artistes Decorateurs, Paris 1967; Long Beach Museum of Art, Travelling Exhibition 1967; Les Assises Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris 1968, Lunning Prize 1966

Description of similar object from Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
Plain plywood sides softened by the overdrape of ‘saddle’ of a detachable, shaped cushion have been a feature of easy-chair design in the 1960s, of which the Ateljee was an early and influential example – first shown at the International Furniture Fair, Cologne, in 1964.

CIRC.376-1970