While Kay Fisker is considered a leading exponent of Danish Functionalism, his present design shows why he was also a great influence on the Danish housing culture.

Having trained architects and designers such as Finn Juhl, Kay Fisker designed his furniture pieces with the greatest architectural precision and quality. This “Canton” is a one-of-a-kind design, with an immediately recognisable frame and wickerwork. The masterfully woven rattan gives this chair an airy look, complimented by the loose, upholstered seat cushion that adds comfort and cosiness to complement the frame. From every angle, this chair is visually arresting; from the front to the sides and back, the curves and geometric lines provide plenty of visual interest. This chair has a distinct designer edge, with clear signs of a skilled architect. The straight lines are mainly in service of the structural stability, while the and the lower panel in the front are the creation of an equally skilled designer. The back is especially creative, as it flows down to form the armrests and then further down to the legs, creating balance between the curved and straight lines. Fisker, like many of his Danish contemporaries was highly skilled both as an architect and as a furniture designer, and the “Canton” is perhaps the best evidence of that.

The manufacturer, Robert Wengler was a German craftsman who specialized in wicker furniture, and was appointed as a wicker maker to the Danish Crown in 1914. He was a pioneer in working with rattan in the early 20th century and became the most skilful wicker-maker in Denmark.

SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair’s cushion has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric.

Dimensions:

32.28 in W x 37.59 in D x 38.66 in H; Seat height 18.3 in

82 cm W x 95.5 cm D x 98.2 cm H; Seat height 46.5 cm

About the Designer:

Kay Otto Fisker (born 14 February 1893 in Frederiksberg, died 21 June 1965) was a Danish architect and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts. He was an exponent of a nationally shaped version of international functionalism.

Fisker graduated school in 1909 and attended the Academy of Fine Arts' School of Architecture from 1909 to 1920, when he graduated as an architect. During his studies he was employed at Anton Rosen's architect's office from 1912, in Stockholm with Sigurd Lewerentz and Gunnar Asplund in 1916 and with Hack Kampmann in Copenhagen from 1918. In 1915, in collaboration with Aage Rafn, he won a competition to design the railway stations along the Almindingen-Gudhjem railway on the Danish island of Bornholm. After graduating, his career as a practising architect was dominated by numerous influential residential projects. Vestersøhus was built from 1935 to 1939 by Fisker and C. F. Møller. It instantly became a model in Denmark for the balcony and bay window blocks of the time.

A key building in his production was Aarhus University (1931–43), considered to be one of the most important examples of Danish Functionalism, which he designed in collaboration with C. F. Møller, Povl Stegmann, and Carl Theodor Marius Sørensen. The university building is included in the Kulturkanonen. Kay Fisker also designed the Danish Academy in Rome. From 1936 to 1963 Fisker was a professor at the Royal Academy and as teacher of the school's class on housing he was known as an inspiring lecturer with great influence on Danish housing culture. In 1953 and 1957 he was a visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ~H.