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.
Madsen & Schubell Pragh Armchair in Navy Pierre Frey Velvet, Denmark, 1950s
By La Maison Pierre Frey, Arnold Madsen, Madsen & Schubell
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare wingback chair was designed by Arnold Madsen & Henry Schubell and produced in Denmark in the 1950s. The model is a variant of their iconic Pragh armchair, designed in 1948....
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Arnold Madsen ‘Clam’ Chair in Honey Sheepskin, 1940s
By Madsen & Schubell, Arnold Madsen
Located in Prague, New Town
Rare ‘Clam’ chair, designed by Arnold Madsen. Produced by Madsen & Schubell in Denmark, 1940s. Legs in beech, recently reupholstered in honey sheepskin. Dimensions: Height: 89 c...
Sheepskin, Beech
$11,685 / set
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair & Stool
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair & Stool by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded ...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$8,720 / item
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
The Clam Chair in Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furn...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$11,685 / set
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair & Stool
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair & Stool by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded ...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$8,747 / item
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen in Boucle Fabric - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furn...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$8,747 / item
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furn...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Clam Chair in Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic clam chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$9,143 / item
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 Chair ...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen in Boucle Fabric - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furn...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$11,685 / set
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair & Stool
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair & Stool by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded ...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$17,494 / set
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 ...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Pair of Early Madsen (Arctander) Clam Shell Chairs in Sheepskin
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A fantastic pair of early edition Clam Chairs, designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Arnold Madsen for the collaborative work with cabinet maker Henry Schubell, who together formed one o...
Sheepskin
Arnold Madsen ‘Clam’ Chair in Sheepskin, 1940s
By Madsen & Schubell, Arnold Madsen
Located in Prague, New Town
Rare Danish armless 'Clam' chair, designed by Arnold Madsen (1907-1989). Produced by Madsen & Schubell in the 1940s. Made from wood, seat is newly u...
Sheepskin, Wood
$17,494 / set
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
$2,558 / set
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Stool
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Arnold Madsen - Clam Stool The Clam Stool is the perfect companion piece for Arnold Madsen's iconic Clam Chair. This new design has been has been developed in close collaboration wi...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$17,494 / set
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
$8,720 / item
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Arnold Madsen Rare Pair of Ivory Sheepskin Shearling Clam Chairs 1944
By Madsen & Schubell, Arnold Madsen
Located in New York, NY
Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell rare pair of Clam chairs with birch arms and legs and newly upholstered in luxurious ivory curly sheepskin or shearling adorned with camel lea...
Bouclé, Birch
Vintage "Clam” rocking chair by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, 1944.
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Iconic Clam chair designed by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell in Denmark in 1944. This example is a vintage original armchair produced in the 40's in danemark. The chair has ...
Sheepskin, Elm
Arnold Madsen 'Clam Chair' produced by Madsen & Schubell, 1950s
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Arnold Madsen 'Clam Chair' produced by Madsen & Schubell 1950s. Completely restored. Excellent condition. Beech, recently recovered in sheepskin upholstery.
Sheepskin
$11,685 / set
Arnold Madsen Boucle Clam Chair & Stool
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair & Stool by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded ...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$8,747 / item
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furn...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$8,747 / item
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
$8,720 / item
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
$5,116 / set
Pair of Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Stools
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Arnold Madsen - Pair of Clam Stools The Clam Stool is the perfect companion piece for Arnold Madsen's iconic Clam Chair. This new design has been has been developed in close collabo...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$2,558 / set
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Stool
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Arnold Madsen - Clam Stool The Clam Stool is the perfect companion piece for Arnold Madsen's iconic Clam Chair. This new design has been has been developed in close collaboration wi...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$8,747 / item
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Pair of Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chairs - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furn...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$8,747 / item
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. The clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded th...
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...
Bouclé, Birch
$17,494 / set
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
$2,558 / item
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Stool
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Arnold Madsen - Clam Stool The Clam Stool is the perfect companion piece for Arnold Madsen's iconic Clam Chair. This new design has been has been developed in close collaboration wi...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$17,494 / set
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chairs - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. I...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Pair of Arnold Madsen Sheepskin & Oak Clam Stools
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Arnold Madsen - Pair of Clam Stools The Clam Stool is the perfect companion piece for Arnold Madsen's iconic Clam Chair. This new design has been has been developed in close collabo...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
The Clam Chair in Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official re-edition of the iconic clam chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$17,494 / set
Sheepskin Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arn...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$18,287 / set
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...
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
$17,494 / set
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chairs - New Edition
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Official Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furn...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$2,558 / set
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Stool
By Arnold Madsen
Located in London, England
Arnold Madsen - Clam Stool The Clam Stool is the perfect companion piece for Arnold Madsen's iconic Clam Chair. This new design has been has been developed in close collaboration wi...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut