Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Ib Madsen for Madsen & Schübell
About the Item
- Creator:Ib Madsen (Designer),Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 41.5 in (105.41 cm)Width: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)Seat Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Condition: Good vintage condition; professionally cleaned and polished. The original leather shows age appropriate patina.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Arne Norell Safari Lounge Chair for ScanformBy Arne Norell, ScanformLocated in Los Angeles, CAA 'Sirocco' safari chair designed by Arne Norell in 1966 and produced by Scanform in Colombia, a company licensed to manufacture the Sirocco chair for export to the US. This example ...Category
Mid-20th Century Colombian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Arne Tidemand-Ruud "Holmenkollen" Lounge Chair for NorcraftBy Norcraft, Arne Tidemand RuudLocated in Los Angeles, CADesigned in the 1950s by Arne Tidemand-Ruud for Norwegian company Norcraft. The solid teak frame is wrapped with a black leather sling seat. The lounge chair is adjustable to recline...Category
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Pair of Otto Zapf Lounge Chairs for KnollBy Otto Zapf, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of leather lounge chairs by Otto Zapf for Knoll International, c.1990s, USA. The plush lounge chairs feature original deep camel leather uphols...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Michael van Beuren High Back Lounge Chair for DomusBy Domus, Michael van BeurenLocated in Los Angeles, CABauhaus trained, Mexico City based designer Michael Van Beuren created highly functional modern pieces inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This lounge chair features...Category
Vintage 1940s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCord, Mahogany
- Miles Karpilow Studio Craft Leather Lounge ChairBy Miles KarpilowLocated in Los Angeles, CAStudio Craft lounge chair by master craftsman, John Karpilow circa .1960, USA. The Bay Area artisan created this impressive piece known as the "Osborne" chair which features a leathe...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Eames for Herman Miller Rare 1956 First Year Lounge Chair with Spinning OttomanBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAA rare 1956 first year production of the iconic 670/671 lounge chair with spinning ottoman by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. The spinning ot...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell Easy Chairs Produced by Madsen & SchubellBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare pair of easy chairs designed by Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell. Produced by Madsen & Schubell in Denmark. Dimensions low-back (W x D x H): 68 x 84 x 94 cm, SH: 45 cm. Dimensions hig...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Sheepskin, Beech
- Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell's "Prague Chair" for Schubell & Madsen, Denmark 1960sBy Madsen & Schubell, Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Utrecht, NLThis famous model, known as the “Pragstolen or Pragh” (literally: The Prague Chair) by Danish designer duo Madsen & Schubell was designed by Henry Hans Schubell...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Beech, Oak, Teak
- Mid-Century Lounge Chair Designed by Ib Madsen & Acton SchubellBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Lejre, DKLounge chair in leather, designed by Danish architects Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Madsen & Schubell, Wingback Lounge Chair & Stool in Teak, Reupholstered, 1950sBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Odense, DKA very rare version of "The Prague Chair" and stool in teak, reupholstered in a luxurious vintage fabric from the 1980s. Designed by Henry Hans Schube...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Henry Schubell Lounge Chair with OttomanBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Esbjerg, DKMadsen & Schubell lounge chair with ottoman. Upholstered with red wool. Frame of teak. Made by Madsen & Schubell.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Pragh Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Madsen & SchubellBy Madsen & SchubellLocated in Little Burstead, EssexA very good early example of this classic Scandinavian Modern design lounge chair and footstool by Madsen & Schubell, freshly reupholstered in white boucle and with cognac leather b...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak