About
Year: 1920–2010
Place: Meldal, Norway
Manufacturers: Rastad & Relling, Vatne Møbler, LK Hjelle, Niels Vodder, Kitani
Story
Sigurd Resell (1920–2010) is sometimes mistakenly described as Danish, but he was in fact one of the important figures of postwar Norwegian modernism. Practical experience as a furniture maker and education at Norway’s National Academy of Craft and Art Industry gave him a strong understanding of material and logical structure.
Connections with Danish cabinetmaking also mattered early in his career. Recognition from Niels Vodder, the master cabinetmaker associated with Finn Juhl, helped bring Resell onto an international stage. In 1958 his SR600 chair received an award at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition, an unusual distinction for a Norwegian designer.
During two decades at the Rastad & Relling design office, his work evolved from organic wooden furniture toward more experimental designs using steel, canvas, and suspended structures. The Bambi and Brinken series expressed the warmth of teak, while later pieces such as the Irafas and Circle chairs moved toward a more industrial language.
In 1968 he became chief designer at Vatne Møbler and developed the Falcon Chair. Its suspended sling seat combined comfort with a sense of floating lightness. The later switch to a laminated-wood frame reduced weight and improved shipping efficiency, contributing to the chair’s international commercial success.
Resell’s designs have also been carried forward in Japan through Kitani, which has produced carefully made versions of Scandinavian classics. This connection between Norway, Denmark, and Japan reflects the continuing international relevance of his furniture.
History & Works
1920 (age 0)
Born in Meldal, Norway.
Early 1940s
Trained as a furniture maker and learned the fundamentals of woodworking.
1943–1947 (ages 23–27)
Studied furniture design at the National Academy of Craft and Art Industry in Oslo.
1947 (age 27)
After graduation, entered design competitions and began attracting attention.
1948 (age 28)
Joined the Rastad & Relling design office.
1955 (age 35)
Introduced the Bambi series with Adolf Relling; it became popular in Norway.
1956 (age 36)
Introduced the Brinken Armchair, emphasizing the beauty of teak.
1958 (age 38)
The SR600 Chair won recognition at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition.
1958 (age 38)
A prototype was produced in Niels Vodder’s workshop, linking Resell to Danish cabinetmaking.
1960 (age 40)
Introduced the Circle Armchair and made greater use of steel.
1965 (age 45)
Designed the Irafas Chair, which received a gold medal at the 1966 Ljubljana Biennale.
1968 (age 48)
Became chief designer at Vatne Møbler.
1970 (age 50)
Entered Blankvals in a Norwegian industry competition and received second prize.
1971 (age 51)
The concept entered production as the Falcon Chair and international sales began.
1974 (age 54)
A laminated-wood frame was introduced for the Falcon Chair, strengthening its export potential.
1970s
The Falcon family expanded to high-back and low-back chairs, ottomans, and coffee tables.
1975 (age 55)
The Falcon Chair became highly successful in the United States and inspired many imitations.
1980s
Falcon became established as an international modern-design icon.
Late 1980s
Kitani began reproducing Resell designs for the Japanese market.
1990 (age 70)
A retrospective, “Sigurd Resell—Chairs for 30 Years,” was held in Oslo.
1990s
His furniture gained new attention in the international vintage market.
2000s
LK Hjelle reintroduced Falcon versions including Falcon First and Falcon Phoenix.
2000s
Rybø also produced the Falcon Chair for a period.
2010 (age 90)
Died, leaving a major legacy in Norwegian furniture design.
Furniture
Bambi Series 55/1, 56/1, 61/1, 56/2, 61/2
Brinken Armchair
Circle Armchair
Irafas Chair
SR600 Chair
Øya Dining Table
Blankvals Prototype
Falcon Chair High Back
Falcon Chair Low Back
Falcon Ottoman
Falcon Coffee Table
Falcon First
Falcon Phoenix
Falcon Laminated Frame Version
Falcon Chrome Frame Version
Falcon Sofa Prototype
Falcon Side Table
Falcon Lounge Variation