Norwegian comfort engineering in cognac leather. Ekornes has been building furniture in Sykkylven, on Norway's west coast, since 1934, and launched the Stressless line in 1971 — the chair that made ergonomic reclining a design category rather than a recliner-store category. This example pairs that mechanism with a stained beech frame: shaped side panels, softly rounded legs, and a sculpted arm rail that the leather cushion rolls over. The wood does the visual work the chrome-and-steel Stressless models leave to the base.

The high back cradles the head and shoulders, the seat and back move together under body weight, and the matching ottoman completes the recline. Leather is the original tan hide throughout, now with a warm broken-in patina and the soft creasing that only comes from years of actual use. The Stressless medallion is intact on the frame rail.

• Made by: Ekornes, Sykkylven, Norway
• Country: Norway
• Period: Late 20th century
• Provenance: Private collection, Bellevue
• Dimensions: 37 x 34 x 39"
• Condition: Very good. Leather is supple and complete with no tears, cracking, or splits; expect the natural creasing and slight color variation shown in the photos. Small white paint fleck on the ottoman's side panel. Beech frame is solid with light finish wear and a few minor handling marks near the arm fronts. Mechanism functions correctly. Structurally sound and ready to use.
• Materials: Leather, stained beech, foam