Madsen & Schubell Pragh Stool, Denmark, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16.34 in (41.5 cm)Width: 23.23 in (59 cm)Depth: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Alpaca,Beech
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2259334868102
Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
The history of Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell originates with Henry Hans Schubell and Arnold Madsen, a powerhouse duo in Danish furniture design throughout the mid-20th century. The pair collaborated with Dutch company Bovenkamp on a range of furnishings and created memorable lounge chairs, stools and other seating throughout the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s — such as the iconic Clam chair — that represent the finest of Scandinavian modern design.
Born in 1906, Schubell was an apprentice cabinetmaker turned foreman by his early 20s. As a supervisor for cabinetmakers Winter and Winding, Schubell oversaw furniture production in their workshop until the mid-1940s.
In 1944, a skilled upholster by the name of Arnold Madsen requested assistance from a cabinetmaker to make a prototype lounge chair based on a plaster model he’d made. Accepting the challenge, Schubell impressed Madsen to the point that he suggested they enter into a partnership. The Clam chair was their first collaboration as Madsen & Schubell.
According to Aaron FitzGerald, of Dagmar gallery, Madsen’s Clam chair is “one of the most sought-after and simultaneously misattributed and copied chair designs of the twentieth century.” In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen.
In the backyard of a modest home in Copenhagen, Schubell built wooden frames which Madsen then upholstered. They sold their finished products to dealers under their joint name, earning enough money to move production to a factory outside the city. Some models were under license by Norwegian company Vik & Blindheim while others were manufactured by Bovenkamp in the Netherlands. The pair’s partnership ended in 1963 in order for the designers to establish separate companies. Madsen opened a new upholstery firm with his son, Ib Madsen, under the name Madsen og Schubell, and Schubell continued to build frames for Madsen as Schubell & Son.
Vintage Madsen & Schubell chairs offer sturdy build quality and the kind of superior upholstery that is typical among mid-century Scandinavian furniture. Working with a range of woods including teak, rosewood and birch, Madsen & Schubell accented natural wood grains with soft lambswool and sheepskin for a variety of comfortable seating.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Philadelphia, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Edvard and Tove Kindt-Larsen Dining Chairs, Thorald Madsens, Denmark, 1950sBy Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen, Thorald Madsens SnedkeriLocated in London, GBA rare set of four Tove and Edvard Kindt-Larsen Dining Chairs, produced by Thorald Madsens Snedkeri, Denmark, 1950s/60s. In good structural condition with minor signs of age and use...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood, Leather
- Rare Arnold Madsen Clam Rocking Chair, Newly Upholstered in Alpaca, 1950sBy Arnold MadsenLocated in London, GBA rare Clam Rocking Chair by Arnold Madsen and produced in Denmark or Norway in the 1950s. Newly upholstered in a premium, pure alpaca wool fabric....Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAlpaca, Wood
- Charles Dudouyt Style Stools, France, 1950sBy Charles DudouytLocated in London, GBA set of Charles Dudouyt stools, France, 1950s. Stable, ready to use condition. The price is for the set of 4 but can also sell individually. Fast shipping worldwide. Stools Ta...Category
Mid-20th Century French Stools
MaterialsWood
- Audoux & Minet Tripod Rope Stool, France, 1950sBy Adrien Audoux and Frida MinnetLocated in London, GBA nice rope and wood stool by Frida Minet and Adrien Audoux, 1950s, France. A good example in original condition, with some minor losses to the wood and minor wear to the surface of ...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsRope, Wood
- A Pair of Charles Dudouyt Stools, France, 1950sBy Charles Dudouyt, Charlotte PerriandLocated in London, GBA rare pair of Charles Dudouyt stools, France, 1950s. The wooden frames in original condition with a nice patina and minor signs of use and wear and minor losses relative to age. T...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsRush, Wood
- Arne Vodder Armchair in Original Leather, Denmark, 1950sBy Arne Vodder, Hans J. WegnerLocated in London, GBArne Vodder armchair in original brown patinated leather with rosewood legs, produced by Ivan Schlechter, Denmark, 1950s. In good original condition with a nice tone and patina. Mino...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell Pragh Ottoman in MohairBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Oakland, CAScandinavian ottoman by Danish designer, Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell circa 1955 Denmark. The ottoman is crafted of solid stained oak with sculpted...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
MaterialsMohair, Oak
- Danish Mid-Century Stool Model Pragh by Madsen & Schubell, 1950s.By Madsen & Schubell, Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Asaa, DKDanish Mid-Century Stool Model Pragh by Madsen & Schubell, 1950s. Ottoman or foot stool designed by Dansih architects Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell and manufactured in their own works...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsFaux Leather, Beech
- Madsen & Schubell Sheepskin Pragh Chair & Stool c1950sBy Madsen & SchubellLocated in London, GBArnold Madsen & Herny Schubell - The Pragh Chair & Stool The Pragh chair is an iconic piece of Danish design from the mid-1950s golden period. The Pragh was the 2nd masterpiece Mads...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Elm
- Midcentury Stool Model Pragh Designed by Ib Madsen & Acton SchubellBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Lejre, DKOttoman reupholstered with sheepskin. Designed by Danish architects Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell. Great condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
MaterialsSheepskin
- Midcentury Stool Model Pragh Designed by Ib Madsen & Acton SchubellBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Lejre, DKOttoman in fabric, designed by Danish architects Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
MaterialsFabric
- Madsen & Schubell, Stool, Teak, Mohair, Denmark, 1950sBy Madsen & SchubellLocated in High Point, NCA teak and green mohair stool designed and produced by Madsen & Schubell, Denmark, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsMohair, Teak