1960s furniture designed by Kurt Ostervig, Denmark

Kurt Ejvind Ostervig was born in Odense, Denmark, in 1912. He was originally trained and worked as a shipbuilding engineer, but by the 1930s he shifted to furniture design because of his passion for woodworking. Ostervig's career as a furniture designer began at E. Knudsen's architectural design studio in Odense. In 1947, he opened his first own studio as a freelance furniture designer, with a focus on modern design. In the following decades, he worked with many of the leading Scandinavian furniture producers of the period.

Ostervig was exceptionally versatile, designing furniture for hotels, cinemas, and won numerous design competitions during his career. He won awards at the Milan Triennale in 1953 and 1960. In the 1960s, one of Ostervig's designs was selected for an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Ostervig had a flair for the dramatic, infusing his furnishings with more... unique elements that stood out. From elegant, organic to coarse and purely functional furniture, his versatility earned him recognition.

Some of Ostervig's most famous designs include:

•    The Model 72 chair (1953): A sculptural and comfortable chair with a curved back and seat.

•    The Model 74 table (1954): A sleek and elegant table with a glass top and chrome legs.

•    The Model 76 sideboard (1955): A large and functional sideboard with a combination of wood and glass.

•    The Model 78 chair (1956): A simple and comfortable chair with a curved back and seat.

•    The Model 80 sofa (1957): A spacious and comfortable sofa with a curved back and arms.

Ostervig continued to design furniture until his death in 1991. He is considered one of the most important Danish furniture designers of the 20th century. less...