Name: Illum Wikkelsø 'Capella' Sofa Set for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s
Brand: Illum Wikkelsø

Illum Wikkelsø 'Capella' Sofa Set for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s

R131 000,00

This beautiful 'Capella' sofa set, designed by Danish modernist Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen in the 1960s, embodies the finest elements of Danish design. The set consists of a three-seater sofa, two lounge chairs and a side table, all featuring elegant Brazilian rosewood frames and fabric-upholstered cushions that remain in excellent condition.

Wikkelsø's designs are renowned for their focus on comfort, simplicity, and clean, sculptural lines, and the 'Capella' set is no exception. The sleek Rio rosewood frames provide a striking contrast to the soft, cushioned seating, creating a harmonious balance between form and function.

A true example of mid-century Danish craftsmanship, this set showcases the timeless appeal of Scandinavian design—combining natural materials, minimalist aesthetics, and high-quality construction. This rare set remains as stylish today as it was when first created.

A standout feature of this set is the armrests, gently rounded on top and oval when viewed head-on, offering both visual appeal and a tactile experience for the sitter. The sloped seat and backrest provide a comfortable embrace, while the straight, sharp lines of the frame convey a sense of sophistication.

The 'Capella' series is defined by its clean, modern lines and minimalist design, made from high-quality Brazilian rosewood. Designed for both elegance and functionality, the series is celebrated for its timeless aesthetic and exceptional craftsmanship. It stands as a classic example of mid-century Danish design, highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

DESIGNER: Illum Wikkelsø

MANUFACTURER: N. Eilersen

COUNTRY: Denmark

PERIOD: 1950s / 1960’s

Original Vintage 'Capella' three-seater Brazilian Rosewood Sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s

CONDITION: Good original vintage condition. The rosewood frame have been meticulously cleaned and polished, the current upholstery is still in very good condition

DIMENSIONS: Height: 70 cm | Seat H. 40 cm Width: 188 cm Depth: 75 cm

Pair of Illum Wikkelsø Capella Easy Chairs in Brazilian Rosewood, model N°4 for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s

CONDITION: Good original vintage condition. The rosewood frames have been meticulously cleaned and polished, the current upholstery is still in very good condition

DIMENSIONS: Height 70 cm | Seat H. 40 cm x Width 68 cm x Depth 75 cm

Illum Wikkelsø ‘Capella’ side table in Brazilian Rosewood, for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s

A beautiful classic square rosewood coffee table/side table. It is made of high-quality noble Brazilian rosewood with a lovely deep rich colour and patina. The base consists of slender h-shaped legs. The elegant design, where the accent is on the purity of the shapes and the simplicity of the lines, will find its perfect place in many arrangements, not only as a coffee table.

CONDITION: Very good original vintage condition, it has been meticulously cleaned and polished to bring out the beautiful rosewood grain.

DIMENSIONS: 61 x 61 x 49cm

The price listed is for the set and works out to R60 000 for the Three-seater sofa, R60 000 for the pair of easy chairs and R11 000 for the rosewood side/coffee table

More photos are available on request.

One of Denmark's best-kept secrets, Illum Wikkelsø was a key figure in the 'Danish design' movement, celebrated for his simple, functional and organically shaped designs, that are inspired by the flow of the Danish landscape. Wikkelsø deserves to be better known as he was one of the most successful designers of mid-century Danish sofas and chairs.

Kristian Illum Wikkelsø (1919 - 1999) was part of a group of designers representing the golden age of Danish design in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the highly talented key designers who made the Danish style of design an international phenomenon during the mid-20th century. While Wikkelsø’s style was in many ways in keeping with the design aesthetics of his time, he had the courage as well as the ability to develop his own innovative style, which was often expressive and surprising, but always focused on sublime craftsmanship and attention to detail. His goal was to capture the beauty of the surrounding environment in furniture designs. After finishing his education as a cabinet maker at Fåborg Technical School in 1939, Wikkelso went on to study at the Copenhagen School of Arts and Crafts under O. Mølgaard Nielsen. In 1943, he was accepted as a student at the Furniture School at the Royal Academy of Art lead be Kaare Klint.

During his time in Copenhagen Illum also worked with cabinetmaker Jacob Kjaer and the architectural firm of Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen.

In 1944, Illum moved to Aarhus to work for Cabinetmaker O.A.V. Christensen until he, a couple of years later, started at LEM’s Furniture House as an interior designer. He stayed with LEM until 1956. During this period, he won prizes at four separate annual exhibitions of the Copenhagen Cabinet Makers’ Guild. In 1954 Illum started his own drawing office and started working with some of Denmark’s leading furniture factories. Like many of his contemporaries - Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, and Hans Wegner for example - Illum’s designs emphasise formal simplicity and biomorphic silhouettes. Illum’s background in cabinetry gave him a profound understanding of materials and a superb attention to detail. Working mostly with teak and rosewood, he captured delicately sculptural forms. Illum believed that furniture should be built to last while cradling the body and pleasing the eye.

Reference: https://www.illum-wikkelsoe-design.com/biography

Read more here

Established in 1895 by Niels Eilersen, the company initially produced horse carriages. Eilersen was the first in Denmark to use steam to shape wood. Since the 1930s, N. Eilersen A/S has been producing furniture with an emphasis on the highest quality materials, comfort and durability. This strategy has made Eilersen A/S a well-known and recognisable brand both at home and abroad, and several sofa models bear the label of the most modern. N. Eilersen A/S is a family business. Innovation and tradition continue to be their hallmark.

We try to capture the condition of our items in our photographs as best as possible. Prior to dispatch all items are carefully cleaned and re-coated with danish oil to ensure your item is looking its best when delivered.
Prices do not include delivery.

Cape Town delivery is calculated at check-out.

For delivery outside Cape Town please contact us. Delivery to these areas is quoted based on the item's dimensions. We can unfortunately not reserve any items until transport has been finalized.

We can arrange shipping in Cape Town and arrange or recommend courier for the rest of the country.

For larger items, we work with an external service that can handle your delivery. Delivery is made by appointment and we make every effort to give you a 2-hour time window on the date of delivery.

Please note that most shippers deliver alone so you may be expected to help on one end in bringing your piece inside. Please be aware that additional charges may apply in cases of access challenges, such as stairs, etc.

Contact us to arrange to view, discuss collection or if you have any queries.

We deliver locally within Cape Town for a fee and can accommodate collection by courier or in person. Collections must be made within 7 days of purchase as we cannot hold furniture for extended periods.

For local Cape Town deliveries: We provide a complimentary layer of bubble wrap in our packaging. However, for a more thorough and secure wrapping approach to guarantee the safe arrival of your item, we suggest opting for our comprehensive packaging solution. This solution encompasses multiple layers of bubble wrap, cardboard and foam as needed, and pallet wrap. There is an additional charge of R150-350, depending on the size of the item, to cover the cost of this enhanced service and materials. To arrange for this option, kindly get in touch with us via email: vintageclubhq@gmail.com

Please refer to our Shipping Policy
As to be expected with vintage items, this item may have minor amounts of wear. All of our items are available to view prior to purchase.

Although all effort is made to lightly refurbish and clean our furniture to best represent their original state, it must be noted that the majority of the items we source date from before 1980’s. For this reason signs of their vintage condition & age might still be visible. We try to point out any visible concerns.

Please note that all items are described to the best of our ability, we strongly encourage our clients to closely inspect item photos, descriptions, and details before purchasing anything. Please review all images as they are considered part of the item description. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

VINTAGE CONDITIONS:

excellent - Like new, exhibiting minimal to no indications of wear, with scarcely any visible signs of age or use.
very good - Light use marks and signs of age, such as minor scratches and minimal wear on areas like feet or inconspicuous spots on veneer or leather.
good - Displays light to moderate scratches, with some more noticeable blemishes. May have small damages and stains, and the possibility of ring marks. Leather may exhibit small rips.
fair - Exhibits more pronounced scratches, including lighter ones in many prominent areas (e.g., the top of a sideboard). Leather may show tears and stress marks
Unfortunately we currently only deliver in Cape Town area, but you are welcome to arrange courier on your side, we can also arrange on your behalf.

Shipment outside of Cape Town is NOT calculated at check-out and is quoted based on the item's dimensions and or weight.

Unfortunately we can not reserve any items until shipping has been finalized (the item should be purchased and checked out, with payment confirmation received if paid via EFT).

After purchase, we can assist you with costs from our preferred supplier.

Please note that all items shipped outside of Cape Town are wrapped extensively, we charge a small packaging fee depending on the item, starting cost of R150 per individual item. The cost of wrapping depends on the size of the item. For ALL our items, especially fragile items, i.e. glass and mirrors we recommend professional crating.

For fragile items or items that have glass elements we don't recommend shipment and transport outside of Cape Town.

Please refer to our Shipping Policy

Illum Wikkelsø 'Capella' Sofa Set for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s

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DELIVERY OUTSIDE OF CAPE TOWN

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