Knicos Armchair in Wengé with Green Upholstery | very rare dutch design

This unique armchair was produced by KNICOS, the furniture factory of Firma Knigge & Co. from Stadskanaal. The company was founded in 1919 and grew into an important Dutch furniture manufacturer, particularly known for solid and artisanal seat furniture. From 1931 onwards, the chairs and armchairs were marketed under the name KNICOS. After the war, tastes changed rapidly. Traditional, robust Dutch furniture increasingly made way for the lighter and more modern designs from Scandinavia. This armchair shows that KNICOS did not completely miss this development. With its slender Wengé frame, elegantly shaped armrests that extend into the legs, and high, gently reclining backrest, the design has a clear Scandinavian appearance. Ultimately, this renewal was not enough to give the company a new future. The rise of Danish imports, a decline in demand for traditional furniture, and business setbacks, including a failed American army project, brought KNICOS further into trouble. After a takeover in 1968, bankruptcy followed in 1982. Our example has been fully restored in our own workshop. The Wengé woodwork has been entirely repaired and refinished. The filling and upholstery have also been renewed, retaining the original shape and characteristic proportions. A first-class furniture fabric, type GROENLAND from the company Switch, has been chosen in a beautiful green/black mélange. A remarkable example of furniture made by a Dutch manufacturer who did see the Scandinavian zeitgeist coming, but ultimately did not manage to make this transition on the same scale as some of his contemporaries. The armchair is immediately usable and brought back to a condition that is almost better than new. We have 2 Wenge models with green upholstery in stock. The yellow model can be found elsewhere on the webshop and is made of Teak. Prices are per piece. Country of origin: The Netherlands Manufacturer: Knicos Height: 93 cm Seat height: 42 cm Width: 62 cm Seat width: 52 cm Depth: 80 cm