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.
$11,292 / 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 foun...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
$2,521 / 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
$8,631 / 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
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
$8,631 / 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
$11,530 / 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
$17,262 / 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
Rare pair of Clam chairs by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, Denmark 1944
By Arnold Madsen, Madsen & Schubell
Located in Ranst, VAN
A rare pair of Clam chairs designed by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, Denmark, 1944. Featuring sculptural beechwood arms and legs, these iconic chairs are upholstered in re...
Sheepskin, Wool, Beech
$17,262 / 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
$16,400 / set
Arnold Madsen 'Oda' Easy Chair with Stool
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Arnold Madsen
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
$2,524 / 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
$11,530 / 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
Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schübel Mid Century Danish Clam Chair
By Arnold Madsen, Madsen & Schubell
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schübel Mid Century Danish Clam Chair This lounge chair measures: 23.5 wide x 32 deep x 33.5 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height/chair clearance...
Upholstery, Wood
$8,631 / 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
$11,530 / 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 foun...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Arnold Madsen, Lounge Chair, Wood, Velvet, Sweden, 1950s
By Arnold Madsen
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and velvet lounge chair designed by Arnold Madsen and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new velvet. Pre-restoration images available upon request. Overall...
Velvet, Wood
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
$8,631 / 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
$8,631 / 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
$17,239 / 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
$8,631 / 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
$8,631 / 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
$8,515 / 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
$17,262 / 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
$17,262 / 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
$5,042 / 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
$17,239 / 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
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
$18,045 / 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
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
$8,631 / 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 Arnold Madsen, Madsen & Schubell
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
$9,000 / item
Pair of Dagmar Clam Chairs by Arnold Madsen
By Arnold Madsen
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional find for the discerning collector, this early re-edition pair of "Clam Chairs" (Muslingestolen) represents a masterpiece of post-war Danish design. Originally conceive...
Bouclé, Oak
Re-edition of Arnold Madsen Clam lounge chair in sheepskin by Dagmar
By Arnold Madsen, Dagmar
Located in Antwerpen, BE
The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. Re-editioned by Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen, a blend of traditiona...
Sheepskin, Beech, 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
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
$9,022 / 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
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
$2,524 / 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
$17,239 / 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
Early ODA Lounge Chair by Arnold Madsen 1950s / New Upholstered
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Early Oda lounge chair with footstool by Arnold Madsen (often described as Nana Ditzel) Model MS-9 or "Oda". Produced in 1950s by Poul Kolds Savværk D...
Fabric, Oak, Teak
$2,521 / 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
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
Arnold Madsen Madsen and Schubell MCM MS-30 Danish Teak Easy Lounge Chair
By Madsen & Schubell, Arnold Madsen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell Mid Century MS-30 Danish Teak Easy Lounge Chair The chair measures: 31 wide x 35 deep x 40 high, with a seat height of 17 inches and arm height/c...
Upholstery, Teak
“Clam" Chairs in Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, Denmark 1944
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Utrecht, NL
These “Clam” chairs have a beloved design, thanks to which it is considered by many as one of the most attractive chairs of Nordic Design. At the same time, these chairs are arguably also the most mysterious piece on the Danish furniture market. The model has a rather perplexing history, and has been attributed to several designers before, the latest being the Danish architect Phillip Arctander. However, recent research revealed that the “Clam” is the model that in fact started the story of Madsen & Schubell. Arnold Madsen designed this model in 1944 in his small basement workshop in Gothersgade, Copenhagen. This set has a characteristic organic shape with soft curves, perched 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 round armrests compliment the overall round feel of the chairs. The seat is slightly raised towards the front, while the back is tilted to provide great sitting comfort. The seat and back are covered in light sheepskin, adding to the soft and cosy feel of this “Clam”. Interestingly, Hans Schubell invented the special connecting piece of this chair, formed from only one piece of wood. The rest of the seat and backrest were glued to this single piece. In 1944, the chair was already exhibited in conjunction with the presentation of the newly opened furniture store NY FORM A/S in Copenhagen, which sold the leading design of the day. In 1945, the Clam went into serial production as the first model of the new furniture company Madsen & Schubell and many well-known stores soon included Madsen & Schubell in their product range. Illums Bolighus was one of them, as were the Messen department store and the Copenhagen furniture store Nordisk Staal-og-Møbel Central. In 1953, Madsen & Schubell sold the licence of the chair to the Norwegian company Vik and Blindheim. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been recently reupholstered in light sheepskin. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 26.38 in W x 33.27 in D x 32.28 in H; Seat height 14.96 in; Arm height 22.64 in 67 cm W x 84.5 cm D x 82 cm H; Seat height 38 cm; Arm height 57.5 cm About the designer: Henry Hans Schubell...
Sheepskin, Wood