The eye-catching work of the Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen often introduces new collectors to mid-20th century furniture. With their fluid lines and sculptural presence, Jacobsen’s signature pieces — the elegant Swan chair and the cozy-yet-cutting edge Egg chair, both first presented in 1958 — are iconic representations of both the striking aesthetic of the designers of the era and their concomitant attention to practicality and comfort. Jacobsen designed furniture that had both gravitas and groove.
Though Jacobsen is a paragon of Danish modernism, his approach to design was the least “Danish” of those who are counted as his peers. The designs of Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Børge Mogensen and others grew out of their studies as cabinetmakers. They prized skilled craftsmanship and their primary material was carved, turned and joined wood. Jacobsen was first and foremost an architect, and while he shared his colleagues’ devotion to quality of construction, he was far more open to other materials such as metal and fiberglass.
Many of Jacobsen’s best-known pieces had their origin in architectural commissions. His molded-plywood, three-legged Ant chair (1952) was first designed for the cafeteria of a pharmaceutical company headquarters. The tall-backed Oxford chair was made for the use of dons at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford, whose Jacobsen-designed campus opened in 1962 (while still under construction). The Swan, Egg and Drop chairs and the AJ desk lamp were all created as part of Jacobsen’s plan for the SAS Royal Copenhagen Hotel, which opened in 1960. (The hotel has since been redecorated, but one guest room has been preserved with all-Jacobsen accoutrements.)
To Jacobsen’s mind, the chief merit of any design was practicality. He designed the first stainless-steel cutlery set made by the Danish silver company Georg Jensen; Jacobsen’s best-selling chair — the plywood Series 7 — was created to provide lightweight, stackable seating for modern eat-in kitchens. But as you will see from the objects on 1stDibs, style never took a backseat to function in Arne Jacobsen’s work. His work merits a place in any modern design collection.
Find authentic Arne Jacobsen chairs, tables, sofas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$14,850
H 29.5 in W 57.5 in D 27 in
Swan Settee / Sofa by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Original Leather
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early and rare Arne Jacobsen swan sofa / love seat / in the original taupe / warm gray leather. No tears or scuffs. Mild fading. Very good original condition.
Aluminum
$9,800
H 31.1 in W 56.7 in D 29.1 in
Original Arne Jacobsen Swan Sofa Settee, Fritz Hansen, Denmark, Excellent
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Original magenta upholstery on this beautiful swan sofa loveseat designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, circa 1960s.
Aluminum
Leather Swan Sofas by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Dallas, TX
Easily one of Arne Jacobsen's most recognizable designs is the rare 'Swan' settee model no. 3321, for The Republic of Fritz Hansen. Devised as an extension and produced in far fewer numbers than the famous Swan chair. The settee is a sculptural masterpiece that forgoes boring straight lines in favor of a unique shape composed of smooth curves and soft round edges with outstanding comfort, mounted on the polished aluminium base, an innovative design. Retains the original manufacturers label. Recently professionally reupholstered in leather with a very nice patina. It was an immediate star when it was unveiled at the opening of the Royal SAS Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958. Jacobsen was the principal architect and designer for the cutting-edge hotel. The furniture he created for the project make up some of his most iconic designs. Two available, price is per item. Literature: Arne Jacobsen, Thau and Vindum, pg. 470 An icon of Danish furniture design, Arne Jacobsen was first and foremost an architect, he used that skill to create a catalog of groundbreaking product designs. He embodied the spirit of simple, functional elegance that defined the movement now known as Danish mid-century modernism. Some of his designs include the iconic Series 7 Chair, Ant Chair, Egg Chair, Swan Chair and Settee, Mayor Sofa...
Aluminum
$10,800
H 31 in W 56.7 in D 29 in
Cognac Leather Swan Sofa Model 3321 by Arne Jacobsen, Denmark 20th Century
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Chicago, IL
A Danish Modern Swan Sofa Model 3321 designed by Arne Jacobsen in the 20th Century. This design quickly gained acclaim when it debuted at the opening of the Royal SAS Hotel in Copenh...
Metal, Chrome
$12,700
H 30.5 in W 56.5 in D 24 in
Vintage Cognac Leather "Swan" Sofa by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the Swan sofa by Danish design pioneer, Arne Jacobsen, has become iconic and synonymous with Danish Modern. Reupholstered i...
Aluminum
1 Arne Jacobsen Swan Settee
By Hans Olsen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Pasadena, TX
Originally designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the Swan sofa by Danish design pioneer, Arne Jacobsen, has become iconic and synonymous with Danish Modern. Loveseat in o...
Naugahyde
$8,891
H 31.11 in W 56.7 in D 29.14 in
Arne Jacobsen Swan Sofa in Grace Walnut Leather for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1958
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic design from 1958 by Arne Jacobsen for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen Denmark (known now as the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel). This (re-)edition of the Swan Sofa (Model 3321) wa...
Aluminum
$11,341
H 30.71 in W 56.7 in D 21.66 in
Swan sofa Mod. 3321 in black leather by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Kiel, SH
Beautiful patinated Swan sofa by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Mod 3321 Early version with original leather no marks
Aluminum
$12,538 / set
H 40.95 in W 33.86 in D 31.11 in
Swan Sofa by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen - Sheepskin
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Renens, CH
Originally designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958, the Swan chair and sofa were created by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. Conceived as lounge furniture, the desi...
Metal
$6,770 / item
H 32 in W 51 in D 26 in
Scandinavian Mid-Century Organic Modern Leather Swan Sofa Attr. to Arne Jacobsen
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in New York, NY
A Scandinavian Mid-Century Organic Modern 'Swan' Sofa in Leather & Faux Leather Attributed to Arne Jacobsen, Sweden, circa 1960. Upholstered in its original leather with unique c...
Steel
Arne Norell Ilona 2 Seater Sofa 1970's
By Arne Norell
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Leather sofa by Swedish master craftsman Arne Norell, 1960s. The structure, combining thick leather and beach wood, is the essence of Scandinavian design, combining beauty and functi...
Leather, Beech
Frits Henningsen 3 Seater Sofa 1960's
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Fritz Henningsen, born in 1889, operated his own workshop primarily in Copenhagen, overseeing the entire process from design to furniture production. His high-quality furniture, whic...
Fabric, Mahogany
Jorgen Kastholm Easy Chair Model.Fk82 1960's
By Jørgen Kastholm
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The FK82 Lounge Chair, designed by Jørgen Kastholm and Preben Fabricius in 1963 and originally introduced by Kill International, is a masterpiece of Scandinavian mid-century design t...
Steel
Hans. J.Wegner 3-Seater Sofa GE236
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Hans J. Wegner. It is said that he designed over 500 chairs during his lifetime, making him one of the most influential masters in the history of Danish furniture design. Among his w...
Fabric, Oak
Hans Olsen Balloon Armchair 1960's
By Hans Olsen
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
A lounge chair manufactured in the 1960s (estimated). This is the iconic 'Balloon Chair' by Danish designer Hans Olsen. Its modern, playful design features a rounded seat and slender...
Metal
Poul Kjaeholm Leather Lounge Chair PK22 2010's
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Poul Kjærholm is one of Denmark's leading designers. After studying design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, which produced many masters, he taught himself from 1955. His designs ar...
Steel
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The curvaceous Egg was designed to cradle the body and offer privacy. Later, it became the seat of choice for bosses in movies, too.
