Byflou Journal

LITTLE PETRA
A HIDDEN TREASURE


Little Petra has been a hidden treasure in Danish design history for many years. After 80 years in the Archive of Danish Design, Little Petra has been brought back to life and has charmed a new audience in the 20th century. The organic and stunning design has earned Viggo Boesen and his Little Petra a place among some of the greatest Danish design icons.

Lille Petra VB1 / Sahara Sheepskin & Walnut

Dawn of Little Petra

Little Petra makes its debut at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Furniture Exhibition in 1938. The armchair is immediately praised by many furniture enthusiasts and soon afterwards Little Petra is shown at exhibitions in both Berlin and New York.

In the 1930s, manual craftsmanship was still central, especially in the production of furniture. Little Petra was therefore only custom-made for private customers, of which only 30 original versions of the iconic chair were produced.

Viggo Boesen allied himself with one of the most skilled carpenters of the time, A.J. Iversen, and together they created a chair that became a reflection of Boesen's unique style and Iversen's exceptional craftsmanship.

Viggo Boesen & The Funkis Style

Viggo Boesen, like many other iconic designers, went against the current trends. In the 1930s, the philosophy of the Bauhaus schools dominated, focusing on the less-is-more principle, while mass-produced materials became more common in the furniture industry.

Viggo Boesen's Little Petra became a symbol of what later became known as the Funkis style, which tried to soften the brutal minimalism from the Bauhaus style and instead bring soft organic designs into the home.
Little Petra is not only a symbol of the rise of the Funkis style in Denmark, but also reflects Boesen's love of natural and authentic materials.

"From Copenhagen to Shanghai and New York, his work, including the bespoke Little Petra, is deeply loved and respected [...]"

- &Tradition about Viggo Boesen

Little Petra VB1 & VB2

Little Petra's shape is identical to the original drawings from 1938. The proportions and size of the chair have been thoughtfully designed to provide the ideal comfort, hugging the body and giving that familiar lounge experience.

In reference to the name, the chair is low in height, petite in size yet voluminous in the room. The wide backrest and sturdy seat cushion make the armchair eye-catching in any interior.

Based on the iconic Little Petra VB1, &Tradition has created the VB2 - a sofa that shares the same well-known design, but in an even wider model. Combined with &Traditions ATD1 pouf, it is possible to create a complete Little Petra universe in your home.

Maintenance guide

At &Tradition they make a virtue of producing furniture that is built to last a lifetime, in the best possible materials and with the very best craftsmanship.
And because we know you love your Little Petra, you can find a guide below on how to best look after your Little Petra.

Wooden legs

» The wooden legs of the chair should only be cleaned with cleaning products suitable for the type of wood and finish you have chosen for your Little Petra.

» The wood can be oiled annually with a suitable oil to maintain the beautiful colour and durability of the wood.


Textile

» The frame must be vacuumed regularly to remove dust and dirt and maintain a fresh appearance.

» If stains appear on the textile, simply wet it with lukewarm water to draw the stain out of the textile. Otherwise, professional cleaning is recommended.

» If your Little Petra is upholstered in Sheepskin, avoid placing the furniture in direct sunlight as Sheepskin is very sensitive to sun damage.