Grete Jalk Daybed for Poul Jeppesen
About the Item
- Creator:Grete Jalk (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 76.78 in (195 cm)Depth: 48.43 in (123 cm)Seat Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6402231017462
Grete Jalk
What would the reputation of mid-century Danish furniture be without legendary female designer Grete Jalk? A pioneer of Scandinavian modernism, Jalk sought to craft furniture that was both cost-efficient and high in quality, each piece made for the evolving interiors and design sensibilities of the day. She continues to be celebrated for her sleek and minimal armchairs, lounge chairs, coffee tables and more.
Jalk was born in 1920 in Copenhagen. She studied at the Drawing and Applied Art School for Women before enrolling at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where famed designer Kaare Klint was among her instructors. Jalk completed her studies in 1946 and began a cabinetmaker apprenticeship. That same year, she won an award at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild competition. Jalk also participated in the 1951 Milan Triennial exhibition, where her designs earned more acclaim and attention.
In 1954, Jalk opened her own design studio and began working with major Danish furniture manufacturers like Fritz Hansen and Glostrup Møbelfabrik. She found inspiration in plywood experiments carried out by Alvar Aalto and Ray and Charles Eames, and she quickly became known for her pared-back, expressive designs, which touted fluid forms and were made of alluring woods such as teak and rosewood.
Jalk’s best-known work is the 1963 GJ chair, a collaboration with cabinetmaker Poul Jeppesen that won first place in the Daily Mail International Furniture Competition. Made of two pieces of molded teak plywood, the sculptural GJ lounge chair is part of the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While creating her iconic furniture designs, Jalk wore many other hats. She taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and served as an editor of the Danish design magazine Mobilia from 1956–62 and 1968–74. In 1974, Jalk curated a traveling design exhibition for the Danish Foreign Ministry and was named a member of the Danish Design Council in 1981. She was also the editor of 40 Years of Danish Furniture Design: The Copenhagen Cabinet-makers' Guild Exhibitions 1927–1966, published in 1987.
Jalk passed away in 2006 at the age of 86. In 2008, Danish furniture manufacturer Lange Production was granted exclusive rights to reproduce the GJ chair, a design as fresh and original today as ever.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Grete Jalk seating, tables and storage pieces.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for CassinaBy Cassina, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in London, EnglandThe "Three-seater sofa Mod. Sesann," crafted by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in 1970, epitomizes a harmonious blend of style and practicality. With a sleek chrome-plated steel frame, the sofa exudes timeless elegance. The polyurethane foam padding ensures comfort, while the rich brown cord upholstery adds sophistication. The Sesann sofa...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Two-Seater Sheepskin Sofa by Osvaldo Borsani for TecnoLocated in London, EnglandOsvaldo Borsani (1911-1985) was an Italian architect and designer who made significant contributions to the fields of furniture design and interior architecture during the mid-20th c...Category
Vintage 1960s Loveseats
MaterialsIron
- Three Seater Danish Banana SofaLocated in London, EnglandThree seater banana sofa upholstered in cream cotton velvet Danish design.Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- Two Seater Danish Banana SofaLocated in London, EnglandTwo seater Danish banana sofa reupholstered in Ivory coloured soft Alpaca Wool Boucle.Category
Vintage 1930s Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Wood
- Ignazio Gardella, L SofaBy Ignazio GardellaLocated in London, EnglandIgnazio Gardella (1905–1999) was an Italian architect and designer known for his significant contributions to the modernist and rationalist movements in architecture and design. The Rationalist architectural movement emphasized functionality, simplicity, and the use of new materials. His work often featured clean lines, geometric forms, and an emphasis on the integration of interior and exterior spaces. One of Gardella's most famous works is the Casa alle Zattere, a residential building in Venice designed in the late 1940s. This building is considered a masterpiece of modernist architecture and showcases his innovative approach to space and materials. He also designed the Olivetti showroom in Milan in 1957, which is another iconic example of his architectural style. We have an example of an "L" sofa, wooden frame...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Blue Mario Bellini Camaleonda SofaBy Mario BelliniLocated in London, EnglandA classic Italian design upholstered in Sky Blue cotton velvet by Rose Uniacke, a lovely soft velvet. Modular in nature, this set of three large Camaleonda units can be arranged in...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Grete Jalk Daybed for Poul JeppesenBy Poul Jeppesen, Grete JalkLocated in Los Angeles, CARare convertible teak daybed by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, c.1960s. This piece features unique design elements making it the ideal daybed. The wide seat cushion can be gently pull...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsLeather, Wool, Teak
- Daybed by Grete JalkBy Grete JalkLocated in Copenhagen, DKModel 6-6 - Daybed in teak on medium frame, with mattress in light fabric. Grete Jalk / P. Jeppesen.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsWool, Teak
- GJ Daybed in Oregon pine by Grete JalkBy Grete JalkLocated in Copenhagen, DKGJ Daybed in patinated Oregon pine and new fabric (Teddy Mohair Caramel 030). Grete Jalk for cabinetmaker P. Jeppesen, 1950's.Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsPine
- Poul Volther Daybed Model Diva 981 for Gemla, SwedenBy Gemla, Poul VoltherLocated in Dronten, NLVery nice sophisticated daybed sofa Model 981 designed by Poul Volther, manufactured by Gemla, Denmark, circa 1960. This sofa is nicknamed 'Diva' and features a sophisticated solid o...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
- Danish “PJ 56” armchairs by Grete Jalk for Poul JeppesenBy Grete JalkLocated in LYON, FRDanish “PJ 56” armchairs by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Pair of solid Rio rosewood PJ 56 armchairs by Danish designer Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen. Rare in t...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Palisander
- Danish Santos Rosewood Model 56 Armchair by Grete Jalk for Poul JeppesenBy Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens MøbelfabrikLocated in Little Burstead, EssexA very good example of this high quality lounge chair by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, in finely marked solid Santos Rosewood, or Machaerium Scleroxylon, a sustainable timber, hence ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsHardwood
