Arnold Madsen, Lounge chair, model MS-9
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in San Francisco, CA
suggests that this chair is actually a design by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubel. Organic and
Upholstery, Teak
Madsen & Schubel Easy Chair
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Copenhagen, DK
gray wool. Manufactured by Madsen & Schubel.
Beech, Fabric
Pragh Chair by Madsen & Schubel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A lounge chair by Acton Schubell and Ib Madsen with legs of stained beech, upholstered in black
Fabric, Teak
Easy Chair by Madsen & Schübel, 1950s
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Middelfart, Fyn
This stunning easy chair was manufactured in the 1950s by Madsen & Schubell in Denmark. It features
Leather, Fabric, Beech
Madsen and Schübel Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1960s
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Den Haag, NL
tilt as well. Made in Denmark model MS68 by Madsen & Schübel, 1960s.
Leather
Pair of Madsen and Schubel Lounge Chairs with Ottomans
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Acton Schubel and Ib Madsen (Model MS68). They are covered in beige suede, with tufted leather cushions
Leather, Suede, Wood
Danish Mid-Century Easy Chair in the Style of Madsen and Schubel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very cool Danish Mid-Century armchair in teak covered in wool in the sought after style of Schubel
Wool, Teak
Sold
H 15 in W 22.25 in D 13.75 in
Danish Midcentury Footstool or Ottoman Model Pragh by Madsen & Schubel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare to find footstool or ottoman designed by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell in the early 1950s. The
Teak
Sold
H 36 in W 32 in D 22 in
Madsen & Schubel Model MS68 Leather on Suede Swivel Lounge Chairs with Ottoman
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of 1960s Danish leather swivel chairs with one matching ottoman and neck covers. These are simply some of the most scrumptious leather swivel chairs ever made. Top grain supple ...
Leather, Suede
Sold
H 36 in W 32 in D 32 in
Pair of Madsen and Schubel Model Ms68 Leather Swivel High Back Lounge Chairs
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Norwalk, CT
This pair of Model MS68 swivel high back chairs was designed by Madsen and Schubel. Upholstered in
Leather
Sold
H 36 in W 32 in D 32 in
Pair of Madsen and Schubel Model Ms68 Leather Swivel High Back Lounge Chairs
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Norwalk, CT
This pair of model MS68 swivel high back chairs was designed by Madsen and Schubel. Upholstered in
Leather
Acton Schubell & Ib Madsen "Pragh" Easy Chair and Ottoman
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Kastrup, DK
An early version of Madsen and Schübel 'Pragh' lounge chair with ottoman. A high and wide wingback
Sheepskin, Beech
Madsen & Schubel Model 280 Wingback Lounge Chair for Vik & Blindheim
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Vik & Blindheim
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional wingback lounge chair designed by Danish duo designers Henry Schubell and Arnold Madsen
Leather, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Pragh Chair Madsen & Schubel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A sculptural armchair designed by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, the Pragh model, 1954, Rungsted
Teak
Pragh Chair Madsen & Schubel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Hudson, NY
A sculptural armchair designed by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, the Pragh model, 1954, Rungsted
Pair of Schübel and Madsen Armchairs
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Madrid, ES
A pair of Danish armchairs with stained beech frame, button fitted back and Coda Kvadrat wool. New upholstery.
Pragh Easy Chair by Madsen & Schübel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in San Francisco, CA
Biomorphic armchair with varnished oak armrests and tapered slightly curved legs. Upholstered in check wool with leather trim.
Pair of Swivel Chairs by Madsen & Schubel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Model by Madsen & Schübel.
Steel
Pair of "Pragh" Chairs by Madsen & Schubel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Hudson, NY
A pair of sculptural armchairs designed by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, the Pragh model, 1954
Sold
H 40.95 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
Pragh Chair by Ib Madsen & Acton Schubel, Danish Midcentury, 1950s
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful and sculptural armchair by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, designed in 1954, in Rungsted
Bog Wood
Sold
H 35.04 in W 31.89 in D 35.44 in
Danish Swivel Lounge Chair MS68 with Ottoman by Madsen & Schübel, 1960s
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in L'Escala, ES
Could well be the Rolls Royce of swivel lounge chairs. Solid construction with top dark green original fabric on a base of steel and teak. Both chair and foot stool has tilting mecha...
Fabric, Teak
Danish Swivel Lounge Chair Model Ms68 with Ottoman by Madsen & Schübel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Swivels and tilts Great vintage condition.
Sold
H 42.13 in W 28.75 in D 30.71 in
Mid-Century Retro Danish Madsen & Schübel Style Teak High Back Lounge Armchair
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Selston, Nottinghamshire
designer Madsen & Schübel. It is Upholstered in a very heavy patterned cotton weave upholstery and raised
Sold
H 35.04 in W 31.89 in D 35.44 in
Danish Leather Swivel Lounge Chair MS68 with Ottoman by Madsen & Schübel, 1960s
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in L'Escala, ES
Could well be the Rolls Royce of swivel lounge chairs. Solid construction with top grain aniline leather on a base of steel and teak. Both chair and foot stool has tilting mechanism....
Steel
Pair of Madsen & Schubell Swivel Chairs with Matching Ottoman
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Hudson, NY
star bases and the ottoman four. The chairs and ottoman designed by by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubel
Pragh Chair and Ottoman Madsen & Schubel
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A lounge chair and Ottoman by Acton Schubell and Ib Madsen with legs of stained beech, upholstered
Fabric, Teak
$2,500 / item
H 29 in Dm 19 in
Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass
Custom Round Mohair Velvet Ottoman with Oak Feet
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Round Ottoman Custom-made ottoman developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. These examples are upholstered in a mustar...
Oak, Mohair, Velvet
$10,977
H 29.53 in W 68.9 in D 37.41 in
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A beautiful Mario Bellini Le Bambole sofa, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in the 1970s, newly upholstered in luxurious 100% alpaca. Marked on the underside. Fast shipping worldwide.
Alpaca
Paul McCobb Chest of Drawers Irwin Collection for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design chest of drawers for his Irwin Collection by Calvin. Classic American Mid-Century modern design and very functional for everyday use. Made from bleached mahogany...
Travertine, Brass
$14,350 / item
H 33.08 in W 115.36 in D 61.82 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Sculptural Sofa In Portofino Pink Velvet
Located in NEW YORK, NY
A sculptural interpretation of midcentury modern elegance, this curved sofa is upholstered in pink velvet that adds depth and style to any setting. The tailored silhouette features v...
Velvet, Walnut
George Nelson Thin Edge Group dresser for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Francisco, CA
George Nelson design Thin Edge Group dresser for Herman Miller. Sophisticated looking and very functional as a daily dresser. Comprising four smaller drawers across the top and three...
Aluminum
Original Finn Juhl NV-53 Lounge Chair
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original Finn Juhl design NV-53 lounge chair for Niels Vodder, Denmark. Sophisticated and elegant looking chair with sculpted solid teak arms and frame produced by Niels Vodder in 19...
Upholstery, Teak
Greta Grossman for Glenn of California Side Table
By Glenn of California, Greta Magnusson Grossman
Located in San Francisco, CA
Greta Magnussen Grossman tiered side table for Glenn of California. A rare form by an iconic designer seldom seen on the market, a tiered table for books, objects or magazines. Made...
Laminate, Walnut
Hans Wegner Buck Lounge Chair, Model JH517
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans J. Wegner buck lounge chair, Model JH517 for Johannes Hansen. A rare model chair by the master in original finish oiled teak and newly upholstered in a cognac leather, stamped. ...
Teak
Hans Wegner "Cigar" Lounge Chairs and Ottoman for Getama
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans J. Wegner "Cigar" lounge chairs and ottoman for GETAMA, Denmark. Rare pair of solid oak lounge chairs with the matching ottoman made by GETAMA. Newly refinished and original met...
Upholstery, Oak
Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, Model 131
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dunbar Furniture bracket back sofa, Model 131 designed by Roger Sprunger. Rare smaller version sofa or loveseat that is perfect for two people. Solid mahogany "L" bracket supports gi...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$15,000 / set
H 41.34 in W 29.53 in D 33.67 in
Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron Lounge Chairs for Votre Maison
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in San Francisco, CA
Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron for Votre Maison Lounge Chairs. Impressive large scale chairs in French oak with newer eggplant boucle upholstery. Structurally reinforced and n...
Upholstery, Oak
Arnold Madsen 'Oda' Easy Chair with Stool
By Arnold Madsen, Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, 'Oda' lounge chair with ottoman, model 'MS-9', fabric teak, Denmark, circa 1957. The Oda lounge chair with ottoman, designed by Arnold Madsen (...
Teak, Fabric
Niels Clausen Nightstands for N.C. Mobler, Denmark
By Arne Vodder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Niels Clausen design rosewood nightstands for N.C. Mobler, Denmark. Sophisticated design by a Danish design master executed in Brazilian rosewood with his signature drawer pull desig...
Rosewood
La Gondola Sofa by Dunbar
Located in San Francisco, CA
La Gondola sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Co. model 5719, is representative of Wormley's best designs and work for Dunbar, this is in my opinion his very best ...
Mahogany
Niels Vodder Teak Credenza NV54
By Niels Vodder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Niels Vodder design credenza model NV54, Denmark. Niels Vodder was a premier cabinet maker that is best known for his execution of Finn Juhl's most successful and beautiful creations...
Teak
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.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.