4 - Scandinavian craftsmanship

Scandinavian craftsmanship Kubbstol-style tree-trunk armchair Carved tree trunk Late 18th century H70 D48 HA43.5 cm A wooden armchair crafted from a section of a tree trunk, with the hollowed-out side forming the enveloping backrest and sides. A separate wooden seat rests on the front section. The surfaces retain traces of carving, wear, cracks, and variations in patina, as visible in the photographs. The kubbstol, literally “log chair,” is one of the oldest forms of Scandinavian furniture: a section of a log hollowed out with an axe and adze, whose walls form the enveloping backrest and sides in a single piece. Widespread in Sweden, Norway, and Finland since the Middle Ages, it was often reserved for the head of the household. Its monolithic presence, bordering on sculpture, explains the interest it generates among collectors of folk art as well as enthusiasts of brutalist and organic design.