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.
Pair of Original Drawer Units from the Arne Jacobsen Royal SAS Hotel, Copenhagen
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Dronten, NL
Very rare original pair of drawers made in 1958 exclusively for the hotel rooms of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Including the original stainless steel wall brackets. Museum pie...
Formica, Wenge
$268 / item
H 4.73 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Scandinavian Contemporary Black oil ash Klot 30, Side Table, Shelf
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
The half sphere holding the plane contributes to a bold yet minimal look that works well in several different spaces and environments. Whether used as a shelf for an extraordinary ob...
Ash, Oak
$375 / item
H 4.73 in Dm 13.78 in
Scandinavian Contemporary Black oil, Ash, Klot O35 Side Table, Shelf
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
The half sphere holding the plane contributes to a bold yet minimal look that works well in several different spaces and environments. Whether used as a shelf for an extraordinary object, as a bedside table or as a small bar table...
Ash
$393 / item
H 4.73 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
KLOT 90 side table, shelf from Ringvide, ash natural oil, Scandinavian
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
The half sphere holding the plane contributes to a bold yet minimal look that works well in several different spaces and environments. Whether used as a shelf or as a bar table it is...
Ash, Oak
$334 / item
H 4.73 in Dm 13.78 in
Scandinavian Contemporary Natural Ash Klot O35, Bed Side Table, Shelf
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
The half sphere holding the plane contributes to a bold yet minimal look that works well in several different spaces and environments. Whether used as a shelf for an extraordinary object, as a bedside table or as a small bar table...
Ash, Oak
$248 / item
H 4.73 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Scandinavian Contemporary Natural Ash Klot30, Bed Side Table, Shelf
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
The half sphere holding the plane contributes to a bold yet minimal look that works well in several different spaces and environments. Whether used as a shelf for an extraordinary ob...
Ash, Oak
$393 / item
H 4.73 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
KLOT 90 Side Table, Shelf from Ringvide, Ash Wood Black Oil, Scandinavian
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
The half sphere holding the plane contributes to a bold yet minimal look that works well in several different spaces and environments. Whether used as a shelf or as a bar table it is...
Ash, Oak
Pair of Danish Santos Rosewood Single Drawer Nightstands
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
These are very nice Santos Rosewood (machaerium Scleroxylon) single drawer bedsides. They are mounted on the wall simply with two screws through the ba...
Hardwood
Pair of Art Deco 3 Drawer Nightstands
Located in Westwood, NJ
A true masterpiece of elegant design and meticulous craftsmanship. Shown in Pyramid Brown, this piece brings sophistication and functionality to your space. The rich Pyramid Brown ...
Wood
Pair of 3 Drawer Nightstands in Cherry
Located in Pasadena, TX
Add elegance and practical storage to your bedroom with the Mission style 3 Drawer Nightstand in Michael's Cherry. This expertly crafted piece is a testament to traditional Mission s...
Wood
Gio Ponti Headboard from Hotel Royal, Napoli
By Giordano Chiesa, Gio Ponti
Located in Hanover, MA
A single wall mounted headboard with floating two-tiered nightstand shelves, designed by Gio Ponti in 1955 for the Hotel Royal in Naples. Pro...
Walnut
Pair of Three Drawer Bachelor Chests
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice mid-century modern bachelor chests.
$10,545
H 31.5 in W 127.56 in D 18.12 in
Gio Ponti pair rare elm wood Headboards fitted bedside tables, Hotel Royal, 1955
By Gio Ponti, Giordano Chiesa
Located in Rome, IT
A pair of headboards by Gio Ponti from the furniture of the Hotel Royal in Naples, 1955. Manufactured by Giordano Chiesa by Dassi elm two tiered shelving, magazine racks Good cond...
Elm
Set of 3 Chairs Model "3107", Arne Jacobsen, 1960
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Set of 3 chairs model "3107" called "series 7" - Arne Jacobsen Fritz Hansen Edition (Danish) Black ash and metal Measures: H 78 x W 49 x D 44 cm...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen Desk by Fritz Hansen in Denmark
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare teak desk designed by Arne Jacobsen, produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark. Desk with two black drawers and teak tips to metal legs. Refinished.
Teak