Mid-century Sigurd Ressell chrome and leather Falcon lounge chairs, footstools and coffee table

An incredibly rare complete and original Falcon lounge set by Mid century Norwegian designer Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Mobler. Featuring the original chrome frames these are the high back version of the chair design in tan leather that also comes equipped with arm rests, matching footstools and the original riven slate topped coffee table. There are so many outstanding features of this set it’s difficult to know where to start. It is very unusual to see any of the Falcon chairs with arm rests and if you search online you’ll understand how rare they are. This in itself is surprising because the chairs are renowned for their cosseting comfort and the arm rests add to that experience. Originally designed in 1970 production started in 1971 with the chrome frame as standard but very few chairs were made with the leather strap belt style buckles that join the hanging seat to the chrome frame. You can see that again if you search online as virtually every chair you’ll see has metal retainers instead of the leather belts. By 1974 production was altered to change the chrome frame to a lighter bentwood, laminated structure to allow quicker manufacture and easier distribution and as Vatner Mobler’s sales of the chair tripled over just a 2 year period the Falcon chair soon became an icon of outstanding Danish design. However, the chrome Falcons have always been considered the most beautiful and most sought after representation of the design and of course were exactly as Ressell first designed them. The set also benefits from having the original slate topped table to complete the entire ensemble Vatne offered to prospective purchasers – and again that is very rare as it’s almost impossible to find one of the original slate tables in good condition let alone as part of an original complete set. Owned from new by the same family since the start of production in 1971 it’s clear this set has been truly loved and very well looked after. As such it has the perfect amount of age related patina that adds to the appeal: the leather is warm coloured and soft with the subtle changes in colour that you look for in vintage aniline leather; the buckles and straps have wear and marks from adjusting the seat to the perfect seating position and finally the table has some small marks and small nibbles from the top edge from social gatherings and no doubt many vibrant parties. All in all it’s an outstanding and incredibly comfortable and accommodating set that would become a centrepiece in any home - the ‘Falcons’ hang in the air with their high backs accentuating the wing like look of the bird of prey they are named after and as such add real presence to a room. They are presented in very good vintage condition commensurate with their age. There are marks and wear as you would expect given the set is now nearly 50 years old but there are no holes or tears in any of the leather and no rust or flaking of any of the chrome – and although the table does have a few minor marks to the top edge there are no major chips out of the main edge or any major scratches or marks. Dimensions Chairs: H100 x W76 x D85cm Seat Height: 43cm Footstools: H40 x W58 x D58cm Table: H40 x W96 x D96cm