Yungve Ekström 'Ruster' Lounge Chair & Ottoman for Pastoe

Condition: Structure and upholstery in good condition, with slight signs of wear. The seat padding has been redone. The foam of the footrest has hardened and should be replaced. Yngve Ekström was a Swedish furniture designer, wood sculptor, and architect. Self-taught, he never underwent formal training. During his childhood, he was passionate about music, drawing, painting, and especially wood sculpture. Inspired by the pieces displayed at the Röhsska Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Gothenburg, Ekström began to take a close interest in furniture design from the beginning of his adult life. In 1944, he founded the successful furniture company "ESE-möbler" (which later became "Swedese AB") with his brother Jerker. The two brothers had the idea of offering flat-pack furniture for self-assembly to facilitate transport. The items, packaged flat, were delivered with the appropriate hex key. A concept that would later enable IKEA to become a global giant. In addition to the Lamino chair from 1956, the "Ruster Lounge Chair" presented here is among Yngve Ekström's most famous creations. He worked within his company until his death in 1988. Ekström's creations are part of various permanent exhibitions, including at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. In 1999, the Swedish magazine *Sköna Hem* awarded this chair the title of "Best Swedish Furniture Design of the 20th Century."