Solid Beech Armchair with Woven Papercord Seat and Back by Frits Schlegel for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1940s (sold)














Solid Beech Armchair with Woven Papercord Seat and Back by Frits Schlegel for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1940s (sold)
Early Danish Modern cemented the Scandinavian design principles of quality, functionality, and an unadorned, understated look. Frits Schlegel was a defining Danish functionalist architect and designer, and while highly successful as an architect, from the 1930s onwards, he also designed a number of furniture lines with inspiration from the Bauhaus movement.
Driven by function, Schlegel’s focus on practicality, structural stability, and a design in favour of these principles can be observed in the straight lines and absence of excess decoration. The precision of the structure and the cord weaving is evident at first glance, showing great geometric order. Driven by function, the designer’s focus was evidently on practicality, structural stability, and a design in favour of these principles. The combination of curved and straight lines and the absence of excess decoration is very typical of Danish modern designers who saw possibilities in the aesthetics of modernist design and materials. The use of the (then) still underrated material of Danish cord is the defining material of this model. Noteworthy for its durability, Danish cord is also beloved for its functional and aesthetic qualities. As the name implies, it is a product of Denmark that became an important material in the Danish Modern period of the 1940s and 1950s. The woven or basket form of seat of this chair has a tight, visually pleasing pattern in great condition. This armchair has an equally arresting stained beech structure that shows great craftsmanship.
This beautiful model’s simplicity and honest elegance combined with mid-century Danish modernism makes it an exceptional piece of furniture. The woven seat and back give it a warm and cosy feel all while staying very functional. The manufacturer, Fritz Hansen is world-famous to this day as being among the most famous Danish companies to ever produce furniture.
SOLD
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some small marks on the wood.
Dimensions:
23.22 in W x 25.98 in D x 29.13 in H; Seat height 13.77 in; Arm height 23.62 in
59 cm W x 66 cm D x 74 cm H; Seat height 35 cm; Arm height 60 cm
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur
Designed in 1952 by Jørgen Høj and Poul Kjærholm for Thorald Madsen Cabinetmakers, this easy chair in ash and flag halyard is a true modernist masterpiece.
Removing everything that was not strictly necessary for its shape and function, the designers created a geometrical and transparent work, that is subdued, yet attention drawing at the same time.
The work was presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition at the Designmuseum Danmark in 1952, the only time Kjærholm participated in this event. Although the design was daring for its time, it was welcomed as a breath of fresh air at the exhibition. As a reviewer wrote at the time:⠀
"The most ‘progressive’ interior… was no doubt the one made by architects Jørgen Høj and Poul Kjærholm in collaboration with Thorald Madsen. {…} One has to admit that it provided a refreshing change from the pervading solemnity. It is the duty of all exhibitions to present experiments of this kind which are delightful to some and outrageous to others.”⠀
The work comes with its original flag halyard, and the ash frame has a beautiful, light patina.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear due to age and use. Item has some marks and scratches.
Dimensions:
25.99 in W x 20.32 in D x 23.63 in H; seat height 7.88 in
66 cm W x 77 cm D x 60 cm H; seat height 20 cm
Exhibitions:
Model presented at The Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition at Designmuseum Danmark, 1952.
Literature:
Grete Jalk: “40 Years of Danish Furniture Design”, vol. 3. p. 220–221.
The Furniture of Poul Kjaerholm: Catalogue Raisonné, Sheridan, pp. 24-25
Danish Chairs, Oda, p. 173