Teak

TEAK

Antoher one of our favorites of the past century is objects in teak, rosewood and other nobel variants of wood. Since teak is endangered it is no longer freely available and the teak we see now is grown, making it expensive. In the late 40’s/early 50’s up until the 70’s, teak and other types of darker wood became available to furniture manufacturers in the western world. Teak had previously been used by shipbuilders for it’s unique advantages when in contact with water, but it was now being put to use for other things because of it’s exotic nature. It was also seen as a durable material that suited for use in everyday things.

Teak came at a point when a postwar prosperous world wanted something new. The swelling conflict in Korea and Indochina locally requiered new roads and campsites, and trees were cut down and cheaply exported to among others the Nordic countries. During the 50’s and 60’s is was favoured in furniture production and the Danes came to be known for it’s high quality tables, chairs and sofas. One could mention Finn Juhl and Hans Wegner.

Teak and rosewood was not extensively used in Finland but you can still find some furniture from the time. Finland was accustomed to light types of wood such as birch and pine and these were more often used, but teak was sometimes replicated by darkening light wood. There was not a large production of bowls and other products in teak but perhaps Backman was one that stands out. You can find objects made by local Finnish entrepreneurs in small scale. Teak and rosewood was however sometimes used in lamps and as a compliment to metal and plastic in chairs, trays and other products. Sweden and Denmark had a far superior production of teakobjects.

I buy all the original teak I can get my hands on – bowls, sculptures, candleholders and so on. There will not be a similar period in a long time.