Suite of 6 Oxford’s Chairs and 2 Armchairs by Arne Jacobsen
About the Item
- Creator:Arne Jacobsen (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 49.61 in (126 cm)Width: 17.33 in (44 cm)Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 8
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1965
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Bruxelles, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3232127946832
Oxford Chair
Characterized by clean lines and an application of ergonomics, the Oxford chairs in the banquet hall at Oxford University’s St. Catherine’s College suggest style and prestige, and the professors who sit in them wouldn’t have it any other way.
Celebrated Danish architect Arne Jacobsen (1902–71) created the graceful high-backed chair as part of his 1960 architectural commission to design the campus. Not unlike the work he had just completed at the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, Jacobsen’s modernist vision for what became the esteemed institution on England’s River Cherwell was all-encompassing: He created clocks, flatware and all of the furnishings for the school. In the dining hall, the students would be seated in his low, lightweight 1955 Series 7 chairs, while their teachers relaxed in the regal Oxford chairs.
Jacobsen excelled at product and furniture design, achievements that owe to his careful attention to every detail of his architectural work. A one-time bricklayer who became a leading figure in a field largely dominated by former cabinetmakers, the Copenhagen native is widely known for his sophisticated chairs.
While he was still an architecture student in 1925 at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Jacobsen won an award for a chair he designed at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris. Later, in 1952, following years of executing successful architectural projects out of his own practice, Jacobsen designed his revered Ant chair, a slim and stackable piece for the employee cafeteria of a pharmaceutical company. The Ant is a modernist marvel — its one-piece plywood seat and backrest derived from the work that American designers Charles and Ray Eames had advanced in their plywood furniture making. Jacobsen’s improvements on the Ant yielded the curvy Series 7, which he utilized in his commission at St. Catherine’s College.
Made of molded sliced veneer, the fully upholstered shell of the Oxford chair produced for St. Catherine’s College was specifically crafted with a high back to offer privacy for professors as they dined at the banquet hall’s long tables. The chair was intended to symbolize the faculty’s authority over the student body. St. Catherine’s was still under construction when it officially opened in 1962, as Jacobsen didn’t complete the project until the following year. Fritz Hansen introduced the Oxford chair in 1965. In addition to the towering professorial original, it is now available in low- or medium-height versions, privacy and authority be damned.
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: Bruxelles, Belgium
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Matteo Grassi série of 14 chairs 1970 for fasemBy Matteo GrassiLocated in Bruxelles, BE14 chairs by Matteo Grassi for Fasem in patinated gun metal barrel color and black leather. The lot can be divided in 2 one for 6 chairs and the other for 8.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- 6 Chairs PK9 from Poul Kjaerholm for Kold ChristensenBy Poul KjærholmLocated in Bruxelles, BESuite of 6 dining chairs model PK 9 designed by Poul Kjaerholm in 1961 for Kold Christensen. It’s an early edition in good condition. Very rare set made by one of the most sought a...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern Chairs « Radar « Att. to Willy Van Der MeerenBy Willy Van Der MeerenLocated in Bruxelles, BESet of 6 radar chairs often attributed to Willy van der meeren. Published many times in books like for instance « «intérieurs 50 » Painting is redone but originally they were also...Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Early Nr 5 Chair Thonet Made for First International Exposition in London in 185By ThonetLocated in Bruxelles, BEEarly model of chair created by thonet in 1851 for first international exposition of London. This example shows some differences with the 2 chairs on catalogue and is a mixed betwee...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chairs
MaterialsNutwood, Plywood
- Wicker and metal Lounge Chair by Dirk Van Sliedrecht Mid modern centuryBy Dirk Van SliedregtLocated in Bruxelles, BEwicker lounge chair designed by the talented designer Dirk Van Sliedrecht: This remarkable wicker lounge chair transcends mere functionality—it embodies a harmonious blend of craftsm...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsMetal
- Crocus chair by Pierre Guariche for meuropBy Pierre GuaricheLocated in Bruxelles, BEcrocus chairs edited by Meurop in Belgium during the sixties and designed by Pierre Guariche. Completely reupholstered with quality fabric.Category
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Arne Jacobsen Oxford ChairBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Esbjerg, DKArne Jacobsen Oxford chair five star base in aluminum. New upholstered with black pure aniline leather Made by Fritz Hansen. Original designed for the Oxford university.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Vintage Swivel Armchair in Style of 'Swan' Chair by Arne Jacobsen, White BoucleBy Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in Zagreb, HRSet of 16 vintage swivel armchairs, following the iconic Arne Jacobsen 'Swan' chair design. A quality 1980s or 1990s European production, shap...Category
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Arne Jacobsen Oxford Office ChairBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Esbjerg, DKArne Jacobsen Oxford office chair five star base in aluminum. Turnable and with wheels. With height adjustment New upholstered with black pure full grain aniline leather. Made by F...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Oxford Desk Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn "Oxford" arm chair in white leather upholstery with a high back and a cast aluminum 5 point base with casters. Height adjustable +/- 5".Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair In Edelman LeatherBy Arne JacobsenLocated in Stamford, CTA Mid-Century, leather and chrome armchair designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz Hansen. Newly upholstered in Edelman leather.Category
Vintage 1960s Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen 'Oxford' Desk ChairsBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Waalwijk, NLArne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, pair of 'Oxford' desk chairs model 3272, aluminium, wood, fabric upholstery, United Kingdom, design 1965, recent production The original version of t...Category
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
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.