Rare Marianne Boman-schleutker for Boman Easy Chair in Pink Velvet & Birch

Marianne Boman-schleutker for Oy Boman Ab, easy chair, model 'Marianne', velvet, birch, Finland, circa 1941

Designed by the Finnish female interior architect Marianne Boman-Schleutker (1925-2010), this easy chair stands as an exceptionally rare piece. The lounge chair is produced by Oy Boman Ab, Finland's oldest and largest furniture manufacturing company since the 1920s. Founded by master carpenter Nikolai Boman (1845-1923) in 1871, the company's roots are in Turku, Finland, with a store in Helsinki providing furniture, interior accessories, and design guidance. Marianne Boman is the daughter of Carl-Johan Boman (1883-1969), who steered the family business, serving as both artistic director and designer from 1906, later taking on the role of managing director until the mid-1950s. The furniture company participated in various exhibitions across Finland and abroad, being one of the first Finns participating in the Monza International Exhibition of Fine Arts, a precursor to the Milan Triennale. The Boman factory's collaborative tradition extended to renowned designers like Carl Malmsten and textile artist Elsa Gullberg from Sweden, as well as Finnish designers Arttu Brummer, Gunnel Gustafsson-Nyman, Carin Bryggman, and Jarl Eklund. Dora Jung and Greta Skogster-Lehtinen were also notable textile artists involved.

Throughout its history, the shop's core mission has been to serve the public's needs. It evolved from furnishing opulent homes to modern, modest residences. The work method embraced skillful craftsmanship, artistic taste, and high-quality materials. Boman's furniture design prioritized carefully considered proportions and luxurious material usage.

In 1939, Marianne Boman embarked on her journey as an interior architect, attending the Nordiska Kompaniet factories in Nyköping, Sweden. During the 1940s, she further refined her skills while working at Svenska Möbelfabrikerna in Bodaforss, Sweden. Her dedication led to her graduation as an interior architect from the furniture department of the Central School of Arts and Crafts in 1948. Throughout the 1940s and early 1950s, she contributed as a designer within Oy Boman Ab. Additionally, she occasionally joined her mother in home visits, collaborating to furnish clients' homes while seeking ideal placements for new furniture pieces.

The chair in question was designed around 1941, when Marianne Boman was just in her late teens. This particular design was named ‘Marianne’ and found its place in, among others, the Villa Boman, a residence designed and built by her father, Carl-Johan Boman, in Espoo, Finland. Subsequently, the Marianne chair was featured in the Boman 75th anniversary exhibition held in 1947. Notably, this chair was not mass-produced, rendering it a genuinely rare piece. Its design stands out with prominent curves, streamlined contours, and elegant detailing that defines its overall profile.

Boman's design philosophy revolved around a human-centered approach, where furniture design was shaped by an understanding of the human body's needs in relation to contemporary lifestyles. The deliberate absence of armrests in the Marianne lounge chair highlight these considerations. Drawing inspiration from the world of knitting, the designer ensured there was plenty of space for knitting needles on the chair's sides. The outward-facing ears, the ample seat, and soft pink velvet upholstery ensure a comfortable seating experience. Boman's furniture collection shares a common trait – a tranquil, purposeful design that prioritizes quality over showiness. Each piece is meticulously crafted, reflecting the legacy of family tradition.

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