Arne Jacobsen Fritz Hansen Series 7 Butterfly Chair in Oak Veneer, circa 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Fritz Hansen (Maker),Arne Jacobsen (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960-1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Structurally sound and sturdy, shows general cosmetic wear, please see images and description.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU978734531972
Series 7 Chair
The celebrated Model 3107, or Series 7, chair showcases Arne Jacobsen’s (1902–71) trademark understatement and interplay between form and functionality. Part of a seductive foray into minimalism for the modernist Danish architect and designer, the Series 7’s seat and backrest were produced from a single piece of bent plywood in 1955 for manufacturer Fritz Hansen.
The lean, stackable chair updates Jacobsen’s simple and spare 1952 Ant chair to a broader base while retaining its revolutionary construction (also a one-piece seat and back) and adding an extra leg. It was a thoroughly modern design inspired in equal parts by the Danish cabinetmaking tradition that preceded Jacobsen as well as the gentle and organic forms that typified Scandinavian modernist furniture. The chair was also a technical advancement of Charles and Ray Eames’ innovative plywood molding techniques.
Trained as a mason and then an architect, Jacobsen assisted in Copenhagen's City Architect's Office after graduating from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1927, where he eventually became a professor. He set up his own design practice in 1930 and produced large-scale projects such as the Bellavista housing estate, a revered work of Bauhaus-style architecture situated north of Copenhagen in Klampenborg.
In 1960, Jacobsen completed his architectural work on the 22-story SAS Royal Hotel and Air Terminal in Denmark’s capital city, but, as he preferred to be involved thoroughly in such commissions, he designed the interiors as well as every other possible detail for the accommodation property, from lighting to textiles to furniture. A diverse designer with a world-famous work ethic, Jacobsen also created modern light fixtures, bathroom fittings, cutlery and metalware — a 1957 set of flatware he designed for A. Michelsen was featured in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Jacobsen was one of the most successful and accomplished Danish designers of the 20th century. Along with the Ant and massively successful Series 7, his Swan and Egg chairs, produced in 1958 for the SAS hotel, are definitive exports and exemplify Danish modern’s marriage of quality materials, simplicity and thoughtful form.
The Series 7 has remained in production since 1955 at Fritz Hansen, where carpenters carefully select and cut sheets of veneer by hand in order to maintain the chair’s classic shape. It remains among Jacobsen’s most simple and pared-down chairs, and while each model is made of pressure-molded sliced veneer, the Series 7 is available in varying veneers and finishes. It is the most sold chair in the manufacturer’s history.
Arne Jacobsen
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Cohoes, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Mid Century Fritz Hansen Arne Jacobsen Three Leg Dot TableBy Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in New York, NYClassic Arne Jacobson Dot Stool, Made in Denmark by Fritz Hansen. This is a vintage three leg example, prior to the revised four leg version released in the 1970's. This example i...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Pair. Neoclassic Dining, Side, Accent Chairs Made in Italy, circa 1960sLocated in New York, NYExceptional pair of Italian neoclassical side, or dining chairs, constructed of metal with faux gilt decoration, and chic leopard print seat cushion...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Alf Svensson for Fritz Hansen c. 1960'sBy Alf Svensson, Fritz HansenLocated in New York, NYChic architectural Mid Century lounge chair and ottoman designed by Alf Svensson for Fritz Hansen, made in Denmark circa 1960's. This example is in very good, clean, ready to use co...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Danish Set of Eight Teak Dining Chairs by Neils Moller / J.L.Moller, circa 1960sBy Neils O. Möller, J.L. Møllers MøbelfabrikLocated in New York, NYExceptional set of eight dining chairs designed by Niels Otto Moller, made in Denmark by J.L.Moller Mobelfabrik circa 1960's. The set consists of two arm chairs ( model 62 ) and six side chairs ( model 78 ). The chairs have solid teak frames with papercoard seats. This set has been professionally restored and is in excellent, clean, ready to use condition. Rare form not often seen on the market, almost never seen in a large set of eight. Elegant, chic and sophisticated iconic Danish Mid Century Modern chairs...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsPapercord, Teak
- Set of Six Danish Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs att. to Arne Hovmand OlsenBy Arne Hovmand-OlsenLocated in New York, NYSet of six Danish Mid Century Modern dining chairs, constructed of solid teak with black vinyl seats and back rests. The set consists of four side, and two arm chairs - this design i...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Teak
- Torbjorn Afdal Bjarne Hansen Butterfly Chair Made in Norway c 1950'sBy Bjarne Hansen, Torbjørn AfdalLocated in New York, NYRare Mid Century Scandinavian Modern lounge chair designed by Torbjorn Afdal for Bjarne Hansen, made in Norway circa 1950's. Comfortable, stylish, and hard to find, especially in thi...Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Arne Jacobsen Chairs Series 7 for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Miami, FLoriginal Arne Jacobsen chairs for Fritz Hansen from 1993, in total ten chairs available.Category
1990s Danish Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Series 7 Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Brooklyn, NYIconic, Scandinavian Modern, Series 7, model 3107 chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen. Perfect for dining or office/desk use. 6 stackable chairs ...Category
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- 1960s Danish Arne Jacobsen T-Chair / Hammer Chair by Fritz HansenBy Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in Knebel, DKDanish vintage, Arne Jacobsen model 3103 named "T chair" / "Hammer chair" due to the shape. The chairs are from an early production of the chairs in t...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Arne Jacobsen 'Grand Prix' Chair for Fritz Hansen in Lacquered VeneerBy Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in Glendale, CAArne Jacobsen 'Grand Prix' Chair for Fritz Hansen in Lacquered Veneer. Established in 1872, Fritz Hansen has become synonymous with legendary Danish design. Combining timeless craft...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Arne Jacobsen 'Grand Prix' Chair for Fritz Hansen in Colored VeneerBy Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in Glendale, CAArne Jacobsen 'Grand Prix' Chair for Fritz Hansen in Colored Veneer. Established in 1872, Fritz Hansen has become synonymous with legendary Danish design. Combining timeless craftsm...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Arne Jacobsen 3107 Series 7 Chairs in Orange by Fritz Hansen, 1974By Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in London, GBThis set of 6 Model 3107, or Series Seven chairs, were designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen. The chairs are finished in the original orange paint. The leg...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlywood, Paint
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair Scrambled the Idea of What a Wingback Could 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.