Mid-Century Childrens Chair by Stig Lönngren attributed to Hagafors Stolfabrik, Sweden, 1960s

Sculptural children’s chair designed by Stig Lönngren in collaboration with Lars Larsson, both members of the design collective HI-Gruppen. Produced in small numbers by Hagafors Stolfabrik in the 1960s, made from molded birch plywood. This piece was a part of a comprehensive range of children’s room furniture with a similar aesthetic.

Hagafors Stolfabrik, established in 1863 during the early years of Swedish industrialization, was one of the country’s first furniture factories. Initially focused on traditional wooden dowel chairs inspired by American designs brought back by emigrants, the company later moved to Nässjö and was eventually acquired by the competitor Nässjö Stolfabrik.

The interior designer Stig Lönngren was one of the founding members of the experimental design collective HI-Gruppen, established in 1957. In 1966, the collective exhibited a whole range of children’s furniture with round shapes and bright colors. Commercially, the range was far from successful due to costly and technically challenging production, but a few pieces were put into production by Hagafors Stolfabrik somewhat later. However, they were only produced in small numbers and are therefore a rare find on the second-hand market.