When the Copenhagen-based furniture maker Fritz Hansen opened for business more than 140 years ago, the company — which today styles itself The Republic of Fritz Hansen — adhered to the traditional, time-honored Danish values of craftsmanship in woodworking and joinery. Yet thanks to the postwar innovations of Arne Jacobsen and others, Fritz Hansen would become the country’s leader in Scandinavian modern design using new, forward-looking materials and methods.
Fritz Hansen started his company in 1872, specializing in the manufacture of small furniture parts. In 1915, the firm became the first in Denmark to make chairs using steam-bent wood (a technique most familiar from birch used in the ubiquitous café chairs by Austrian maker Thonet). At the time, Fritz Hansen was best known for seating that featured curved legs and curlicue splats and referenced 18th-century Chippendale designs.
In the next few decades, the company promoted simple, plain chairs with slatted backs and cane or rush seats designed by such proto-modernist masters as Kaare Klint and Søren Hansen. Still, the most aesthetically striking piece Fritz Hansen produced in the first half of the 20th century was arguably the China chair of 1944 by Hans Wegner — and that piece, with its yoke-shaped bentwood back- and armrest, was based on seating manufactured in China during the Ming dynasty. (Wegner was moved by portraits he’d seen of Danish merchants in the Chinese chairs.)
Everything changed in 1952 with Arne Jacobsen’s Ant chair. The collaboration between the architect and Fritz Hansen officially originated in 1934 — that year, Jacobsen created his inaugural piece for the manufacturer, the solid beechwood Bellevue chair for a restaurant commission. The Ant chair, however, was the breakthrough.
With assistance from his then-apprentice Verner Panton, Jacobsen designed the Ant chair for the cafeteria of a Danish healthcare company called Novo Nordisk. The chair was composed of a seat and backrest formed from a single piece of molded plywood attached, in its original iteration, to three tubular metal legs. Its silhouette suggests the shape of the insect’s body, and the lightweight, stackable chair and its biomorphic form became an international hit.
Jacobsen followed with more plywood successes, such as the Grand Prix chair of 1957. The following year he designed the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen and its furnishings, including the Egg chair and the Swan chair. Those two upholstered pieces, with their lush, organic frames made of fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane, have become the two chairs most emblematic of mid-20th-century cool. Moreover, the Egg and Swan led Fritz Hansen to fully embrace new man-made materials, like foam, plastic and steel wire used to realize the avant-garde creations of later generations of designers with whom the firm collaborated, such as Piet Hein, Jørn Utzon (the architect of the Sydney Opera House) and Verner Panton. If the Fritz Hansen of 1872 would not now recognize his company, today’s connoisseurs certainly do.
Find a collection of vintage Fritz Hansen tables, lounge chairs, sofas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
PK 80 - Daybed in natural leather by Poul Kjærholm
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 80 - Daybed in patinated natural leather on frame in steel. Stamped from manufacturer Fritz Hansen. Designed by Poul Kjærholm.
Steel
1996 Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen PK80 Daybed in Grey/Black Fabric
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a PK80 Daybed, originally designed by Poul Kjaerholm in 1957 and produced by Fritz Hansen. This particular example was manufactured in 1996. It features a minimalist silhouet...
Steel
1996 Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen PK80 Daybed in Black Fabric 2x Available
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a PK80 Daybed, originally designed by Poul Kjaerholm in 1957 and produced by Fritz Hansen. This particular example was manufactured in 1996. It features a minimalist silhouet...
Steel
Space Age Vintage Organic Anthropomorph Blue Chaise Longue Verner Panton 1962/63
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage organic anthropomorph chaise longue or daybed by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen 1962/63 Denmark Polstermöbelreihe Kleinserie. A wonderful iconic chaise longue in bold blue color with upholstery designed by Verner Panton 1962 / 63 Denmark for Fritz Hansen 1975. Paper label with company´s name With rounded beech wood feet and a gorgeous shape covered with a bright blue woolen fabric this piece is the perfect seating to create your place where you live. Plus it is freestanding. An eclectic mix of the styles and designers Antique or Contemporary, Minimalist or Rustic, it all comes together under your direction. Verner Panton ( 1926 - 1998 ) Danish archtiect and designer designed fabulous furniture...
Fabric
$11,072
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Beige Fabric, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins chaise longue and its matching...
Walnut, Oak, Linen, Mohair, Fabric, Leather, Cotton, Velvet, Bouclé, Wood
Dutch 'Backbone' Chaise Longue in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Chaise lounge, teak, aluminium and fabric, The Netherlands, 1990s. This exceptional Dutch chaise longue features a seating area crafted from teak...
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK-22 Cane Chair, Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Poul Kjærholm PK-22 with a frame of steel, seat and back with original patinated cane. Designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1956. Good vintage condition with original cane. Age related sig...
Steel
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
$39,500
H 12 in W 75 in D 32 in
Poul Kjaerholm, Daybed, Leather, Steel, Plywood, E Kold Christensen, 1960s
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in High Point, NC
A leather, steel and plywood daybed designed by Poul Kjaerholm and produced by E Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960s. Condition: Good Wear consistent with age and use. Very lively pat...
Stainless Steel
$12,354 / item
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, DEDAR Bouclé, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins chaise longue and its matching...
Leather, Bouclé, Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Mohair, Linen, Oak, Walnut
Poul Kjaerholm PK20 Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic PK-33 Ottoman in camel leather, designed by Poul Kjærholm, produced by Fritz Hansen. Stainless steel frame is a nod to Kjærholm's affinity for industrial materials, employed a...
Stainless Steel
PK24 Chaise Longue Chair by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This PK24 chaise longue, designed by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, embodies the Danish master’s commitment to refined simplicity and exceptional materials. Its flowing sculptural p...
Metal
Antique French Gothic Oak Chaise Longue, Circa 1870
Located in Dallas, TX
In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was not uncommon for skilled craftsmen to repurpose older wood carvings into their own furniture creations. A French menuisier utilized this technique (circa 1870), incorporating a previously carved chair back and arms into the construction of this Gothic style chaise lounge. Based on the faded Gothic motifs and age separations, the repurposed pieces were most likely carved in the 16th century. The Gothic period carvings seen on the top rail include a series of foliate groupings flanked by bulbous finials. Although the carvings have faded over the course of centuries, the finials might have been leaf cups, which were often seen during the Gothic period. The back rest has been adorned with arcading beneath an infilled niche that is flanked by a pair of linenfold carvings. A cream colored cushion has been affixed by small nails above an apron embellished with barb tracery and ogee brackets. The entire lounge is supported by six block legs, with the back four extending directly from the back and the arms. Relatively low to the ground, our French Gothic oak...
Textile, Oak
Verner Panton for Verpan “Meridienne Welle” Chaise Longue
By Verpan, Verner Panton
Located in Paris, FR
Perfectly conforming to the shape of the back, Verner Panton’s iconic Welle Meridienne exemplifies the designer’s fascination with organic forms and sculptural comfort. Designed as p...
Upholstery, Plywood
$6,850 / set
H 27.5 in W 30 in D 28 in
Pantonova Chair and Ottoman by Verner Panton, Chrome Steel and Cognac Leather
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Kansas City, MO
Wedge shaped chair and ottoman designed by Verner Panton for his Pantonova Series manufactured by Fritz Hansen. Completely original including the cognac / camel color leather cusions...
Chrome
Poul Kjærholm Model Pk22 Easy Chair
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Berkeley, CA
The discrete and elegant lounge chair PK22 epitomizes the work of Poul Kjærholm and his search for the ideal type-form and industrial dimension, which was always present in his work. The profile of the steel frame structure originates from his graduation project, the “Element” Chair (PK25...
Oak
Sold
H 12 in W 74.75 in D 31.5 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK80 daybed in black leather for Fritz Hansen Denmark
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Skokie, IL
The Poul Kjaerholm PK80 daybed is an iconic piece that exemplifies the Danish design ethos of simplicity and functionality. Designed in 1968, the PK80 features a minimalist aesthetic...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 12 in W 74.75 in D 31.5 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK80 daybed in black leather for Fritz Hansen Denmark
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Skokie, IL
The Poul Kjaerholm PK80 daybed is an iconic piece that exemplifies the Danish design ethos of simplicity and functionality. Designed in 1968, the PK80 features a minimalist aesthetic...
Stainless Steel
Fritz Hansen PK-80 by Poul Kjaerholm
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Wien, AT
The PK-80 Daybed is the embodiment of Poul Kjærholm's talent for refining historical models and distilling the design down to the essentials. The daybed is inspired by a daybed desig...
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK 80 Daybed for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Chicago, IL
Poul Kjaerholm PK 80 Daybed for Fritz Hansen, black leather cushion with plywood sub-base connected to stainless steel frame with rubber grommet. ...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 11.82 in W 74.81 in D 31.5 in
Fritz Hansen PK80 Daybed, Burgundy Leather, Designed by Poul Kjaerholm
By Fritz Hansen
Located in London, GB
Fritz Hansen PK80 daybed in Burgandy leather designed by Poul Kjaerholm. A recent example in nearly new condition, Designer Poul Kjaerholm w...
Leather
Sold
H 12 in W 75 in L 12 in
Poul Kjaerholm Black Leather & Steel PK80 Daybed by Fritz Hansen, Danish Minimal
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In an ongoing attempt to unite the sublime with the absolutely necessary, Poul Kjaerholm designed the PK80 daybed. The result is one of Kjaerholm's most sophisticated and iconic desi...
Stainless Steel
Daybed by Poul Kjærholm
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 80 daybed in Indian red leather on a frame of brushed steel. Maker Fritz Hansen.
Leather
Poul Kjaerholm PK 80 daybed for Fritz Hansen
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Antwerp, BE
PK 80 daybed in black leather for Fritz Hansen, Denmark edition from 2010 in perfect condition The daybed is a clear illustration of Poul Kjærholm’s method of refining historic...
Steel
PK 80 daybed by Poul Kjærholm
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 80, daybed in black leather with frame of brushed steel. Maker Fritz Hansen.
Leather
PK 80 Daybed by Poul Kjærholm
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 80 daybed in original cognac leather and chromed steel. Maker Fritz Hansen.
Stainless Steel
Danish Modern Daybed by Ole Wanscher
By Fritz Hansen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish modern daybed, designed by Ole Wanscher for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, circa 1940s. It has been refinished and reupholstered in an ivory color...
Metal
Daybed by Ole Wanscher
By Fritz Hansen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking daybed in solid wood designed by Maa. Ole Wanscher in the 1950s. Made in Denmark for Fritz Hansen cabinetmakers. Great original condition.
Beech