Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Danish, 1907-1989
A powerhouse duo in Danish furniture design throughout the mid-20th century, Henry Hans Schubell and Arnold Madsen collaborated as Madsen & Schubell with Dutch company Bovenkamp and Vik & Blindheim on a range of furnishings and created memorable lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating throughout the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s — such as the wingback Pragh chair and the iconic Clam chair — that represent the finest of Scandinavian modern design.
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, such as the Clam, 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. (At some point, Ib also traded under the name Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell.)
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.
Find vintage Arnold Madsen Clam chairs, lounge chairs and other seating on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Arnold Madsen
Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen in Boucle Fabric - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, GB
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cheris...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-lau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Mid-Century Madsen & Schübell Karen Armchair Bovenkamp
By Bovenkamp, Arnold Madsen
Located in BAARLO, LI
Beautiful armchair, model 'Karen', designed by Arnold Madsen & Henry Schübell and produced by Bovenkamp, Netherlands 1960. Arnold Madsen was contracted by Bovenkamp in the late 1950s...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-lau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-lau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Rare Arnold Madsen Clam Rocking Chair, Newly Upholstered in Alpaca, 1950s
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, GB
A 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 Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Alpaca, Wood
vintage Bovenkamp armchair armchair 60's
By Arnold Madsen, Bovenkamp, Madsen & Schubell
Located in GRONINGEN, NL
vintage Bovenkamp armchair armchair 60's
period 60's
design Arnold Madsen & Henry Schubell Bovenkamp The Netherlands
condition good light signs o...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak, Teak
The Clam Chair in Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, GB
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cheris...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Clam Chair in Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, GB
Official Re-Edition of the iconic clam chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
The Clam Chair in Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, GB
Official re-edition of the iconic clam chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Clam Chair in Boucle Fabric by Arnold Madsen - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, GB
Official Re-Edition of the iconic clam chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cher...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-lau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell Rare Pair of Clam Chairs, Denmark, 1944
By Madsen & Schubell, Arnold Madsen
Located in New York, NY
Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell rare pair of Clam chairs with beech arms and legs and upholstered in ivory bouclé with camel leather buttons on back and seat, Denmark. 1944. These iconic Clam chairs have a characteristic organic shape with soft curves throughout including gently curved back, seat, and arms, and resting on club-shaped beech legs. The name comes from the shape of the seat and back that together form the silhouette of an open clam. The back is slightly tilted while the seat is slightly raised towards the front to provide conformity to the body and great comfort. These original exquisite Madsen Clam chairs...
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Bouclé, Birch
Sheepskin Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, GB
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-lau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cheris...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cheris...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official re-edition of the iconic clam chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cheris...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Walnut, Oak, Beech, Bouclé, Wool
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chairs - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, GB
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Arnold Madsen
The Clam Chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold foun...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Boucle Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official re-edition of the iconic clam chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Walnut, Oak, Beech, Bouclé, Wool
Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen in Boucle Fabric - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, GB
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cher...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cheris...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cheris...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-lau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
“Clam” Chair by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, Denmark, 1944
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Arnold Madsen
Located in Utrecht, NL
This “Clam” chair has a beloved design thanks to which it is considered by many as one of the most attractive chairs of Nordic Design. At the same time, this chair is arguably also the most mysterious piece on the Danish furniture market.
The model has a rather perplexing history, and has been attributed to several designers before, the latest being the Danish architect Phillip Arctander. However, recent research revealed that the “Clam” is the model that in fact started the story of Madsen & Schubell. Arnold Madsen designed this model in 1944 in his small basement workshop in Gothersgade, Copenhagen.
This chair has a characteristic organic shape with soft curves, perched on club-shaped beech legs. The name comes from the shape of the seat and back that together form the silhouette of an open clam. The round armrests compliment the overall round feel of the chair. The seat is slightly raised towards the front, while the back is tilted to provide great sitting comfort. The seat and back are covered in light sheepskin, adding to the soft and cosy feel of this “Clam”. Interestingly, Hans Schubell invented the special connecting piece of this chair, formed from only one piece of wood. The rest of the seat and backrest were glued to this single piece.
In 1944, the chair was already exhibited in conjunction with the presentation of the newly opened furniture store NY FORM A/S in Copenhagen, which sold the leading design of the day. In 1945, the Clam went into serial production as the first model of the new furniture company Madsen & Schubell and many well-known stores soon included Madsen & Schubell in their product range. Illums Bolighus was one of them, as were the Messen department store and the Copenhagen furniture store Nordisk Staal-og-Møbel Central. In 1953, Madsen & Schubell sold the licence of the chair to the Norwegian company Vik and Blindheim.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in light sheepskin. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
26.38 in W x 33.27 in D x 32.28 in H; Seat height 14.96 in; Arm height 22.64 in
67 cm W x 84.5 cm D x 82 cm H; Seat height 38 cm; Arm height 57.5 cm
About the designer:
Henry Hans Schubell...
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wood
Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair - one of the most cheris...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Re-Edition Boucle Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen.
Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam C...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
vintage Bovenkamp armchair armchair 60's
By Bovenkamp, Arnold Madsen, Madsen & Schubell
Located in GRONINGEN, NL
vintage Bovenkamp armchair armchair 60's
period 60's
design Arnold Madsen & Henry Schubell Bovenkamp The Netherlands
condition good light signs o...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Arnold Madsen Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Arnold Madsen armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Arnold Madsen armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arnold Madsen armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 10 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 25 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original armchairs by Arnold Madsen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. Prices for Arnold Madsen armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $884 and can go as high as $68,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,615.