Remember on my previous post I mentioned that both my husband and I love mid-century modern furniture? Well, a couple of weeks ago we got a wonderful gift from my husband’s grandparents, so I will tell you a short story about it.
My husband's Mormor and Morfar (Evelyn and George)
My husband’s grandparents, George and Evelyn, are very special people. They’ve been married for 70 years and still love each other like the first day. My husband’s Morfar, as the maternal grandfather is referred to in Denmark (mother’s father), has an amazing life story. When he was young he enlisted to go fight in World War II, but was rejected because of a heart condition. He was determined to go over to Germany to help, so he became a Lutheran pastor. He and his wife and their first two children moved from Santa Monica, California to Germany. While in Germany he helped many Jewish refugees escape after the war. Some of these people had no way of repaying him for saving their lives, but by giving him some of their most valuable possessions, like fine crystal vases, handmade wooden items and fine china such as the one made by the Royal Copenhagen. They received real treasures for their selfless help.
Some of the lovely tea cups and saucers we inherited from my husband's grandparents.
Having been in Europe during the late 40’s and 50’s they were exposed to the furniture style of that era, which we now call mid-century modern furniture. So they got to experience it first hand. I’m so jealous! After going back to California, where they’re originally from, they purchased some Danish pieces for their home. They recently moved to a smaller apartment inside the community they’ve been living in for the last 6 years and had no room for all their things. So my husband and I have been receiving some of those “treasures”. Among them are some gold-rimmed tea saucers and a china set made by the Royal Copenhagen, some Swedish crystal goblets and, just a couple of weeks ago, we received a mid-century modern chair made out of rosewood. After my husband did some research, he found out it was made by a Danish furniture designer named Erik Buch.
Rosewood mid-century modern arm chair by Erik Buch
We were ecstatic to get that chair, first of all because of all the history and sentimental value attached to it and, second of all, because we finally have an original Danish piece of furniture in our home! It has minor scratches on the bottom of the legs, but otherwise it is in perfect condition. Even the leather upholstered seat is unharmed.
See the great condition this chair is in after over half a century
On August of last year, I got to meet Morfar and Mormor (mother’s mother) when we visited them in California and I immediately fell in love with them and understood my husband’s love and admiration for them. They are amazing human beings who have devoted their lives to serving God, family and their community. I really hope we get to enjoy them for many years to come and to have the opportunity to be in their presence again soon. Thanks Morfar and Mormor for the wonderful gifts!