Arne Norell was a self taught cabinet maker, upholsterer and furniture designer who opened his own crafts studio in the Stockholm suburb of Sundbyberg in 1953. Five years later Norell moved to Småland and Frinnaryd/ Aneby where he founded the company Möbel AB Arne Norell together with his wife Britta. The company name was later changed to Norell Möbel AB and run by Norell´s daughter Marie Norell Möller.
In 1964 the safari chair Sirocco was launched, that unlike any of the many similar designs, had double crossbars and a firm back. Two years later Norell's most know designs was presented, the lounge chair Ari made of chromed solid steel frame and leather straps. In 1968 the armchairs Ariet made in the same style, was released.
After Arne Norell passed away in 1971, he was posthumously awarded the British Furniture Manufacturer’s most prestigious prize Showpiece for Ari in 1973. Many of Norells designs where developed and manufactured after his death by the Norell company.
Arne Norell is represented a.o. the Swedish National Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Furniture Studies in Stockholm.
