“AJ5” Sofa by Arne Jacobsen and Flemming Lassen for &Tradition, Denmark 2020
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 88 in (223.52 cm)Width: 202 in (513.08 cm)Depth: 60 in (152.4 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2020
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:
Flemming Lassen
Architect Flemming Lassen was as noted for his furnishings as he was for his buildings, and he created bedroom furniture and other pieces specifically for the inviting interiors he brought to fruition. The Danish modernist is credited by many for his role in introducing his native country to functionalism, which prioritizes practicality over excessive ornamentation in design. Lassen is widely known for his comfortable, plush vintage sofas, lounge chairs and other seating, such as the overstuffed Tired Man armchair and Mingle sofa.
Lassen's mother and father were both painters. In the early 1900s, he and his brother — architect Mogens Lassen — began to attend boarding school where they befriended Arne Jacobsen, with whom Flemming would come to share an affinity for the principles of functionalism. Jacobsen became a leading light of Scandinavian modernism — his celebrated mid-century designs include the Swan chair and the Egg chair — and he and Flemming remained close throughout their lives, maintaining a strong personal relationship as well as a professional bond as like-minded colleagues.
Lassen and Jacobsen exchanged ideas and collaborated — the former shared his friend’s holistic approach to building projects, which is evidenced by Jacobsen’s design for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Jacobsen’s designs for the property encompassed everything from the architecture to interiors and furnishings. Together, Lassen and Jacobsen won an award at the “Architects Building and Housing Exhibition,” which was held at the Forum in Copenhagen in 1929. The duo was recognized for its “House of the Future,” a circular structure fitted with a then-revolutionary automatic garage door opener and windows that rolled up and down with a handle — just as they would in a car. The House of the Future has influenced Danish architecture to this day.
Flemming also often collaborated with his older brother Mogens, designing buildings and furniture alike. Mogens designed all kinds of tables and seating, and worked with the likes of Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and Ole Wanscher on various projects.
Flemming Lassen created the oak-and-sheepskin Tired Man armchair for The Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Competition in 1935. Three years later, he designed the Mingle sofa. Both seating pieces are very popular with collectors today.
Find vintage Flemming Lassen furniture on 1stDibs.
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: Wilnis, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- 2020s Edition of 1930s “Little Petra” chair by Viggo Boesen for &TraditionBy Viggo Boesen, &TraditionLocated in Amsterdam, NLAn eye-catching “Little Petra” chair, designed by Viggo Boesen in 1930 and manufactured by & Tradition in Denmark in the 2020s. This elegant and mo...Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Wood
- 1950s “3217” Swivel desk chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, DenmarkBy Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in Amsterdam, NLA beautiful swivel desk chair, model “3217”, designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark around 1960. This highly recognizable piece has a chrome plated tu...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Spokeback Sofa by Børge Mogensen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1963By Hans J. Wegner, Fritz HansenLocated in Amsterdam, NLBeautiful spokeback sofa designed by Børge Mogensen, manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark, 1963. This piece is made of high quality beechwood and is newly upholstered in light grey kvadrat fabric. The sofa has a very "open" design, showing it's structure and the used techniques from every angle. The details are really impressive, so is the unique feature of one reclining side and the leather streps that keep that side in place. The spokeback sofa has a unique history: it was designed in 1945, but didn't fit the fashion of that time. It turned out that Wegner was a true visionair, because after the sofa did get produced in 1963, it would grow to be one of Wegner most populair designs. It was copied many times, this original piece is a very rare find. A beautiful piece of Scandinavian design history that would make a true eye-catcher in any modern or Scandinavian interior! It remains in very good, vintage condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving an amazing patina. In 1958, Børge Mogensen and his family travelled to Spain. For the hardworking designer, the trip became more than just a holiday. In Andalucia he fell in love with an old chair with a wide seat and broad armrests. Once back in Denmark, he created the Spanish chair. The chair he fell in love with is a traditional type of chair and is very common in areas influenced by ancient Islamic culture from Spain to northern India. Børge Mogensen modernised the design by removing the elaborate carvings, and thus he created his own version with his customary geometrical precision. Yet he retained the most important feature: the broad armrests that give the chair its distinctive character. The broad armrests also serve as a practical place to place a cup or a glass. By designing The Spanish chair Mogensen...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Beech
- Airport Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, circa 1960By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Amsterdam, NLStunning "Airport" chair by Arne Jacobsen, manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark, circa 1960. The chair has high quality chrome metal base and yellow or green fabric upholstery....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsChrome, Metal
- Rare Ole Wanscher Sofa for J. Jeppesen, Denmark, 1950By Ole WanscherLocated in Amsterdam, NLAn outstanding, very rare 2-seater sofa designed by Ole Wanscher, manufactured by J. Jeppesen in Denmark around 1950. This impressive piece is really well made by on of the greate...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- “Minerva” Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard for France & Son, Denmark 1950By Peter Hvidt, France & SønLocated in Amsterdam, NLA wonderful sofa / daybed, model “Minerva”, designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard and manufactured by France & Son in Denmark around 1950. Made of high quality teak wood in a beau...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Mayor Sofa, Model AJ5, Designed by Arne Jacobsen and Flemming LassenBy Arne Jacobsen, Flemming LassenLocated in Lejre, DKThe Mayor sofa, model AJ5, is a beautiful and iconic piece of furniture designed by Arne Jacobsen and Flemming Lassen in 1939. The sofa is known for its ele...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
- Vintage "Ingeborg" sofa by Flemming Lassen, Denmark, 1940sBy Flemming Lassen, AskoLocated in Stockholm, SEBeautiful “Ingeborg” sofa by Flemming Lassen, with curvesome forms. Designed in 1940 and named after his mother, the artist Ingeborg Winding. Upholstered with caramel colored sheepsk...Category
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLambskin, Birch
- Vintage "Ingeborg" sofa by Flemming Lassen, Denmark, 1940sBy Flemming Lassen, AskoLocated in Stockholm, SEBeautiful “Ingeborg” sofa by Flemming Lassen, with curvesome forms. Designed in 1940 and named after his mother, the artist Ingeborg Winding. Upholstered with caramel colored sheepsk...Category
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLambskin, Birch
- Manner of Flemming Lassen Danish Mid-Century Sofa, c. 1940'sBy Flemming LassenLocated in Norwalk, CTJourney back to a transformative era of design with this alluring sofa, echoing the style of the legendary Flemming Lassen. A Danish mid-century marvel from the 1940s, this piece cap...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsOak
- Art Deco 3-Seater Sofa By A Danish Cabinetmaker, Flemming Lassen Style, 1940sBy Vilhelm Lauritzen, Flemming Lassen, Kaare KlintLocated in Odense, DKA rare and truly amazing three seater sofa in the style of Flemming Lassen. Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker in the 1940s. The overall impression of this sofa is really good, still with...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Early 1930s Art Deco Two-Seater Sofa by Flemming Lassen, DenmarkBy Flemming LassenLocated in Odense, DKAmazing and early Art Deco two-seat sofa attributed to Danish architect Flemming Lassen and manufactured by the high end furniture store "L.H. Qvesehl" in the 1930s. The sofa is typi...Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Beech
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.