Folke Jansson was a multifaceted creator: sculptor, painter, ceramist, architect, and furniture designer. Trained at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, he began his career as an architect before turning, in the 1950s, to furniture design — a field he approached with a novel perspective for a Scandinavian.

In the 1940s, he initially devoted himself to sculpture as an engraver, then to ceramics in a small factory in Köping. He also produced watercolors and worked on set designs during this period. His entry into the world of furniture was almost accidental: wanting to create an armchair for his own use, he made a prototype out of metal and paper. Lacking the skills to build it in wood, he reached out to the company Wincranz. This led to the creation of the iconic Arabesk chair, which was presented at the Gothenburg Furniture Fair in 1955. Following its success, Jansson began a collaboration with Wincranz, designing chairs, armchairs, and loungers.

His creations stand out for their simple, clean lines, but also for their strong sculptural sensibility. He used natural materials such as wood and leather while incorporating ingenious construction techniques. Unlike his contemporaries such as Aalto, Jacobsen, or Kjærholm, Jansson followed his own path: neither organic nor minimalist, his work explored both the freedom of form and the rigor of geometric patterns.

Among his most iconic pieces are the “Tellus” seating designs — sofas and chairs with innovative shapes, always conceived with comfort in mind. He also collaborated with several manufacturers, notably the renowned Swedish company Lammhults. His work, exhibited in numerous museums and galleries across Europe, has earned him a place as a key figure in modern Scandinavian design. Today, Folke Jansson’s pieces are highly sought after by collectors and design enthusiasts alike.