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.
Scandinavian Folke Ohlsson Teak Settee in Jack Lenor Larsen "Caravan" Velvet
By Fritz Hansen, Jack Lenor Larsen, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian Modern settee by Swedish designer, Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen upholstered in Jack Lenor Larsen "Caravan" cotton velvet fabric (ca. 1960s, Denmark). Delightful, dimi...
Upholstery, Teak
Fritz Hansen 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Soren Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Frits Hansen/Soren Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Fritz Hansen sofa designed by Soren Hansen in the company's characteristic style of open armrests. Made from stained beech wood showing great blond color and with coi...
Wool, Beech
Søren Hansen, Rare Sofa / Bench Model 2240 for Fritz Hansen, 1939
By Søren Hansen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Paris, FR
Two-seat sofa, model 2240, made of Beech wood designed by Søren Hansen in 1939 and manufactured by Fritz Hansen. A rare find and very collectable piece. As a sculptural piece, this ...
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech, Fabric
Arne Jacobsen Fritz Hansen Swan Sofa Settee, 1960's in Real Canadian Sheepskin
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Culver City, CA
Take a seat, darling. No, seriously—this is the seat. Designed by the iconic Arne Jacobsen in 1958 for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, this Swan Sofa is the epitome of mid-century...
Aluminum
$7,000
H 26 in W 95 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa M#261 with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Jack Lenor Larsen, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic mid-century modern sofa designed by Edward Wormley from his 1958 Dunbar - Conversation Pieces Collection, this sofa model #261 still has its original Jack Lenor Larsen colorf...
Brass
Vintage Arne Jacobsen Cognac Leather "Swan" Chair for Fritz Hansen
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Aluminum
Scrumptious Jack Lenor Larsen Sofa Hollywood Regency Mid-Century
By Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Hollywood Regency style Jack Lenor Larsen Velvet Sofa. This piece is to die for fabulous still in nice vintage condition. The fabric only shows some light wear-see photos...
Upholstery, Lacquer
Scandinavian Modern Upholstered "Scania" Armchair By Folke Ohlsson
By Dux of Sweden, Ljungs Industrier Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This exceptional Scandinavian Modern high-back upholstered armchair was designed by the Swedish designer Folke Ohlsson. The lounge chair is part of the "Scania" collection Ohlsson de...
Brass
$1,680Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 21 in D 22 in
Jack Lenor Larsen Black Lacquer Cage Armchairs, a pair
By Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Wichita, KS
Black Lacquer Jack Lenor Larsen Cage Chairs upholstered in new animal print Scalamandre fabric. The chairs are from the 1970’s in the mid-century Hollywood Regency style and have an ...
Fabric, Wood
Louis XVI Style Black Leather Settee Sofa
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI style black leather settee sofa. Luxuriously carved frame, made in Italy, in iconic Louis XVI style design. Finished in a rich medium w...
Metal
Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric Bench by Brower Grand Rapids
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Brower Furniture Co.
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote your zip. Lovely Mid Century Bench made by Brower Furniture of Grand Rapids. Appears to be...
Steel
$4,500 / set
H 45 in W 21 in D 21.5 in
Fabulous Asian Modern Widdicomb Dining Chairs Jack Lenor Larsen Blue Velvet
By John Widdicomb, Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous Asian modern set of six dining chairs by Widdicomb, two armchairs and four side chairs. We love the original Jack Lenor Larsen fabric but it does show wear-one has a small p...
Upholstery, Mahogany
1 Fritz Hansen Arne Jacobsen Swan Chair
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Arne Jacobsen swan chair. Design Arne Jacobsen, 1958. Designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, for which designer Arne Jacobsen was the architect, the Swan Chair (1958) permitted guests to spin on its swivel base, thus becoming active participants in the busy hotel atmosphere. Now made of polyurethane foam, it’s marked by its flowing organic shape. A single upholsterer hand-sews the fabric onto the frame. Original design and licensed manufacture by Republic of Fritz Hansen...
Naugahyde
$4,883
H 33.47 in W 23.82 in D 38.98 in
Rare 1940s Danish Modern Lounge Chair in Elm by Søren Hansen for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Søren Hansen
Located in København K, 84
Rare Danish Modern Lounge Chair in Elm designed by Søren Hansen, who was a relative and part owner of Fritz Hansen in the 1940s, is a remarkable piece of mid-century furniture that h...
Elm
Vintage Settee Loveseat by Ralph Lauren
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Settee...
Cotton
Unavailable|$6,495 / set
H 30 in W 136 in D 73 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Sectional Sofa - Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera Velvet
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional midcentury sectional sofa with Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera Velvet Fabric This sofa measures: 136 wide x 73 deep x 30 inch...
Upholstery, Wood, Velvet
Fritz Hansen Attributed 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests
By Fritz Hansen, Frits Hansen/Soren Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Fritz Hansen sofa designed by Soren Hansen in the company's characteristic style of open armrests. Made from stained beech wood showing great gran and color and with ...
Wool, Beech
Arne Jacobsen Swan Settee, Model 3321 Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Amarillo, TX
Arne Jacobsen Swan settee, model 3321 Fritz Hansen Denmark, 1958 leather, aluminum, plastic Vintage Arne Jacobsen swan settee.
Leather
Alfred Christensen Open Arm Settee or Sofa Danish Midcentury, 1940's
By Fritz Hansen, Frits Hansen/Soren Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style of open armrests and spindle back carved from solid beech wood and made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk as model 9...
Beech, Wool
Sold
H 32.5 in W 55 in D 28.5 in
Danish Settee from Mid-1950's in Beech and Wool Fritz Hansen Model 8112
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very elegant settee or two-seat sofa model 8112 made by Fritz Hansen sometime in the early to mid-1950s in Copenhagen, Denmark. The frame is construed similar to Fritz Hansen's armch...
Wool, Beech
Sold
H 32.5 in W 55 in D 28.5 in
Danish Settee from Mid-1950's in Beech and Wool Fritz Hansen Model 8112
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very elegant settee or two-seat sofa model 8112 made by Fritz Hansen sometime in the early to mid-1950s in Copenhagen, Denmark. The frame is construed similar to Fritz Hansen's armch...
Wool, Beech
Fritz Hansen Model 8112 Settee in Teak and Wool Danish Midcentury
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very elegant settee or two-seat sofa model 8112 made by Fritz Hansen sometime in the early to mid-1950s in Copenhagen, Denmark. The frame is construed similar to Fritz Hansen's armch...
Wool, Mahogany
Sold
H 29 in W 58.5 in D 26 in
Fritz Hansen Attributed 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests and Lambswool
By Fritz Hansen, Frits Hansen/Soren Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Fritz Hansen sofa designed by Soren Hansen in the company's characteristic style of open armrests. Made from stained beech wood and with coil springs in backrest and ...
Wool, Beech
Fritz Hansen 1940s Model 1594 Spindle Back Sofa in Ivory Lambswool
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and sought after sofa model 1594 made by Fritz Hansen, Denmark in the early 1940s. The sofa was featured in Fritz Hansen's production catalog in 1942 page 6. It's a magnificent ...
Wool, Beech
Sold
H 32.25 in W 56.75 in D 29 in
Original Arne Jacobsen Swan Sofa Settee, Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1970
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Originally created for the SAS Hotel in Copenhagen, this is Arne Jacoben's sofa version of the famous Swan chair. Designed as a companion piece to the swan and egg chair. It's an ele...
Aluminum
Fritz Hansen Settee in Teak and Wool Danish Midcentury
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very elegant settee or two-seat sofa model 8112 made by Fritz Hansen sometime in the early to mid-1950s in Copenhagen, Denmark. The frame is construed similar to Fritz Hansen's armch...
Wool, Mahogany
Sold
H 33 in W 58 in D 30 in
Fritz Hansen Danish Midcentury Model 8112 Loveseat in Teak and Wool, circa 1955
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very elegant settee or two-seat sofa made by Fritz Hansen sometime in the early to mid-1950s in Copenhagen, Denmark. The frame is construed similar to Fritz Hansen's armchairs of the...
Wool, Mahogany
Børge Mogensen Spokeback Settee with Original Leather
By Børge Mogensen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Long Island City, NY
Like many of the finest Danish modern cabinetmakers, Børge Mogensen was also trained as an architect. Their holistic understanding not only of furniture design and its history, but a...
Leather, Beech