Henrik Thor-Larsen studied graphic design in his home country Denmark befored moving to Sweden where he got an employment at car manufacturer Saab where he designed the seats for the model Saab-Sonett.
In 1968 Thor-Larsen designed the egg-shaped plastic armchair Ovalia with speakers and lighting on the inside. Ovalia was first shown at the Scandinavian furniture fair in Copenhagen the same year where it made a great success, sold to a.o. Germany and USA.
Since Thor-Larsen didn’t take out a patent for his designs, Ovalia was copied by several companies. Thor-Larsen’s Ovalia and its foot stool was produced by Swedish manufacturer Torlan until 1978. From 2005 the chair is manufactured by Thor-Larsen’s own company Ovalia.
