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.
Arnold Madsen, Rocking Chair, Beech, Leatherette, Sweden, 1950s
By Arnold Madsen
Located in High Point, NC
A beech and brown leatherette rocking lounge chair designed by Arnold Madsen and likely license-produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Seat height: 12.75"
Faux Leather, Beech
Arnold Madsen Oak and Lambskin Rocking Chair
By Arnold Madsen
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Clam chair designed by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell in Denmark in 1944, extra rare in the rocking version. Vintage original armchair produced in the 40's in Denmark. Ov...
Sheepskin, Oak
RAR Rocking Chair by Charles & Ray Eames, 1950s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Uccle, BE
This emblematic rocking chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames in the fifties is well known for its powerful form and its indisputable comfort. The RAR (Rocking Armchair Rod Base), ma...
Aluminum
Ole Wanscher FD-120 Rosewood & Leather Rocking Chair, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher, France & Daverkosen
Located in London, England
Ole Wanscher - FD-120 Rocking Chair, 1951 This rarely seen rocking chair by Professor Ole Wanscher was produced by France & Son in Denmark in the early 1960s. The immaculate rosewoo...
Leather, Rosewood
$21,178
H 27.56 in W 25.6 in D 31.5 in
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
Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen, 1944
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The Clam easy chair, designed by Arnold Madsen and produced by Madsen & Schubell in Denmark in 1944, represents a rare and exemplary piece of Scandinavian mid-century design. The...
Fabric, Lacquer, Wood
Arnold Madsen Style, Shearling, Beech, Lounge Chair, Denmark
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Stamford, CT
Arnold Madsen Style, Danish Mid-Century Modern, Sheepskin, Beech, Lounge or Arm Chair, Denmark. An organic mid-century modern lounge chair after Arnold Madsen, designed and produced...
Sheepskin, Beech
$2,550
H 75.99 in W 24.41 in D 18.9 in
Carl Malmsten “Vidar” Beech Rocking Chair, Sweden, Late 20th Century
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hammarö, SE
Designed by the celebrated Swedish designer Carl Malmsten, the “Vidar” rocking chair is a refined expression of Scandinavian craftsmanship, where comfort, functionality, and timeless...
Textile, Beech
L. & J. G. Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Rocking Chair
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mission or Arts & Crafts large rocking chair By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak frame, with upholstered seat and back cushion...
Upholstery, Oak
Gustav Stickley Oak Rocking Chair
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Cambridge, US
USA, ca. early 1900s. A handsome and quite comfortable Model 323 rocking chair by Gustav Stickley. Features solid oak frame with classic Mission details. Slightly curved high back an...
Leather, Oak
Antique Rocking Chair Solid Oak Cane Seat
Located in Pasadena, TX
Antique Rocking Chair in solid oak with a cane Seat in good condition. This chair features a leafy, scalloped crest above turned spindles. It 's a beautiful antique piece to make a b...
Cane, Wood, Oak
$2,938
H 29.53 in W 24.41 in D 27.56 in
Henning Kjærnulf Oak & Leather Rocking Chair, Scandinavian Modern
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Rocking chair by Henning Kjærnulf new upholstered with shearling. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with mid-century modernism. Model: Razorblade Made by ...
Leather, Oak
$2,117Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.26 in W 26.58 in D 32.68 in
Oak Arts & Crafts Mission Rocking Chair, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Arts & Crafts Mission rocking chair. Striking American design from the 1900s. Quarter-sawn oak frame with two hand-carved monks in the back rest. The rocking cha...
Leather, Oak
$516Sale Price|55% Off
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 29.53 in
Antique Vintage English Oak Rocking Chair, 1800s
Located in Markington, GB
Circa 1800 English Oak Rocking Chair A charming English oak rocking chair dating from around 1800, showcasing timeless craftsmanship and classic design. This piece is in very good v...
Oak
Sold
H 28 in W 25 in D 36 in
Rocking Clam Chair, Curly Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen, Madsen & Schubell, 1944
By Arnold Madsen, Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Culver City, CA
Such an iconic and mysterious chair; the Clam Chair, is a timeless masterpiece designed by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, Denmark in 1944. This exceptional chair, which exudes ...
Sheepskin, Birch