Grete Jalk Furniture
Danish, 1920-2006
What would the reputation of mid-century Danish furniture be without legendary female designer Grete Jalk? A pioneer of Scandinavian modernism, Jalk sought to craft furniture that was both cost-efficient and high in quality, each piece made for the evolving interiors and design sensibilities of the day. She continues to be celebrated for her sleek and minimal armchairs, lounge chairs, coffee tables and more.
Jalk was born in 1920 in Copenhagen. She studied at the Drawing and Applied Art School for Women before enrolling at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where famed designer Kaare Klint was among her instructors. Jalk completed her studies in 1946 and began a cabinetmaker apprenticeship. That same year, she won an award at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild competition. Jalk also participated in the 1951 Milan Triennial exhibition, where her designs earned more acclaim and attention.
In 1954, Jalk opened her own design studio and began working with major Danish furniture manufacturers like Fritz Hansen and Glostrup Møbelfabrik. She found inspiration in plywood experiments carried out by Alvar Aalto and Ray and Charles Eames, and she quickly became known for her pared-back, expressive designs, which touted fluid forms and were made of alluring woods such as teak and rosewood.
Jalk’s best-known work is the 1963 GJ chair, a collaboration with cabinetmaker Poul Jeppesen that won first place in the Daily Mail International Furniture Competition. Made of two pieces of molded teak plywood, the sculptural GJ lounge chair is part of the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While creating her iconic furniture designs, Jalk wore many other hats. She taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and served as an editor of the Danish design magazine Mobilia from 1956–62 and 1968–74. In 1974, Jalk curated a traveling design exhibition for the Danish Foreign Ministry and was named a member of the Danish Design Council in 1981. She was also the editor of 40 Years of Danish Furniture Design: The Copenhagen Cabinet-makers' Guild Exhibitions 1927–1966, published in 1987.
Jalk passed away in 2006 at the age of 86. In 2008, Danish furniture manufacturer Lange Production was granted exclusive rights to reproduce the GJ chair, a design as fresh and original today as ever.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Grete Jalk seating, tables and storage pieces.
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Creator: Grete Jalk
Pair of Lounge Chairs Grete Jalk Danish Teak, 1960s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Lyon, FR
Pair of Grete Jalk lounge chairs, Denmark, 1960s. Excellent condition.
New cushions, freshly reupholstered.
Perfect condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Outstanding Grete Jalk Teak Lounge Chair, Midcentury Danish Modern
By Grete Jalk
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Outstanding Grete Jalk teak lounge chair. This chair retain its original orange striped woven fabric in nice vintage condition-some light spots-cleaning recommended. Very usable as i...
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Teak
Grete Jalk Model-128 Cognac Leather & Teak 3-Seater Sofa for France & Søn
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Grete Jalk Model-128 Cognac Leather & Teak 3-Seater Sofa for France & Søn
________________________________________
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like brin...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Leather, Teak
Grete Jalk Dining Table Produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Grete Jalk
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare dining table designed by Grete Jalk. Produced by P. Jeppesens møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Measures: Width 136-245 cm.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Midcentury Bar Cart in Rosewood Designed by Grethe Jalk, 1950s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Lejre, DK
Trolley in rosewood and Formica, designed by Maa. Grethe Jalk and made by P. Jeppesen. Great original condition.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Danish Coffee Table by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern coffee table features unique raised edges on top and stylish tapered legs. The sleek Grete Jalk design has a bottom slatted tier for additional storage....
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Wood, Teak
Grete Jalk Teak Serving Cart or Bar Trolley, Expandable Top
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, Denmark bar cart or serving cart. The top slides to one side, turns 90 degrees and expands to twice the size. Branded mark on underside. Rolling or port...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Steel
Slatted Bench by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Grete Jalk designed teak slat top bench with tapered dowel legs.
Working at a time when women were a rarity in the design world, Grete Juel Jalk completed her education at the D...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Wood Grete Jalk P. Jeppesens Square Coffee Table
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Unique floating form vintage Danish Modern square coffee table by Poul Jeppesen with the design attributed to Grete Jalk. Item features a square teak wood top with rounded corners an...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Teak
Pair of Grete Jalk Teak Armchairs
By Grete Jalk
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of Danish modern teak frame armchairs designed by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Denmark. One seat cover has small tears, as shown. Offered an...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Teak
Scandinavian Modern Easy Chair, Model 118, in Teak by Grete Jalk, France and Son
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Lejre, DK
Easy chair, model 118, in teak and black elegance leather designed by Grete Jalk and manufactured by France & Son in the 1960s. The chair is in great vintage condition and of classic...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Teak, Leather
Modern Grete Jalk Danish Sofa, France and Son Freshly Reupholstered
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Lyon, FR
First edition for this sofa designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son.
Scandinavian sofa
Freshly reupholstered. Perfect condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Set of 8 Danish Modern Dining Chairs in Rosewood by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in New York, NY
Very rare set of 8 rosewood dining chairs by Grete Jalk to include 2 armchairs and 6 side chairs. All chairs are in very good original condition, fabric shows some cosmetic wear, sta...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Rosewood
Coffee Table with Metal Tray by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, Denmark
By Poul Jeppesen, Grete Jalk
Located in Steenwijk, NL
Beautiful piece of Danish design by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Møbelfabrik, Denmark. Labelled on the bottom with the paper labels.
This table is a more rare model and holds a blac...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Metal
Grete Jalk Chair with Arms, Teak with New Leather Upholstery, Beautiful Form
By Grete Jalk
Located in Kansas City, MO
Armchair designed by Grete Jalk (Greta Jalk), Denmark, 1950s. Solid teak frame has been reupholstered in new ivory leather.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Leather, Teak
Teak Arm Chairs by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of solid teak arm chairs designed by Greta Jalk for P. Jeppesen. Exquisite Danish Modern.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Teak, Upholstery
High Back Upholstered Settee by Grete Jalk for Johannes Hansen
By Grete Jalk, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early Grete Jalk designed settee featuring a high back on squared legs with a tight and tailored pale brick upholstery. Crafted by Johannes Hansen in Denmark, circa 1950s.
Work...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Teak
Poltrona di Grete Jalk per France et Son Anni 60
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Milano, IT
Poltrona in legno di teak, cuscini con molle e rivestimento in tessuto. Restaurata. ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Teak Coffee Table by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Victoria, BC
An epitome of Danish modern design, this creation by Grete Jalk showcases a gracefully sculpted surface, upheld by subtly tapered legs, and enhanced by a practical lower tier crafted...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Teak
Rosewood table by Grete Jalk, design 1959's
By Grete Jalk
Located in PARIS, FR
The clean lines and minimalist details of this table make it an elegant and timeless choice. Its simple aesthetic allows it to blend seamlessly into a variety of decor styles.
Rosewo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Palisander
Mid Century Grete Jalk Danish Teak Expandable Drinks Trolley, 1960s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
Mid Century Danish Teak Drinks Trolley / Bar Cart, by Greta Jalk for Poul Jeppesens Mobelfabrik, 1960s
This piece has been attributed based on archival documentation, such as vintage...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Teak
1960's Danish Rosewood Coffee Table, Grete Jalk For France & Son
By Grete Jalk
Located in London, GB
Beautiful and extremely rare rosewood coffee table designed by Grete Jalk for France & Son in the 1960s.
About the Designer
Grete Jalk
Recognized as an important Danish modernist designer—working at a time when women were a rarity in the design world—Grete Juel Jalk was born in Copenhagen in 1920. She trained in cabinetmaking at Copenhagen's Design School for Women between 1940 and 1942; she went on to complete her education at the Danish Royal Academy under highly influential designer Kaare Klint. In 1946, she won first prize at the annual Cabinetmaker's Guild Competition; five years later, she received wide acclaim for her designs exhibited at the 1951 Milan Triennale.
Around 1953, Jalk opened her own studio and began to develop furniture designs for some of the best known Danish manufacturers, like Poul Jeppesen, Fritz Hansen, Glostrup, and France & Søn. Inspired by the Eameses' and Aaltos' organic, molded furniture, Jalk continuously experimented with new materials and production techniques.
Her iconic GJ Chair...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
1960s Grete Jalk Teak 3-Seater Sofa for Poul Jepessen, Denmark
By Grete Jalk
Located in Praha, CZ
- Cerefully refurbished
- Newly upholstered
- height of seat 44 cm
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Mid-Century Side Tables by Grete Jalk for France & Son - a Pair
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pair of side tables designed by Grete Jalk for France & Son, Denmark. Made circa 1960s with teak wood. These beautifully crafted end tables have raised fin edges atop and slats below...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Wood, Teak
Danish 3 seater sofa, Rosewood and Leather by Grete Jalk for Poul Jepessen 1960.
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian sofa. Frame entirely in solid Rosewood, seat structure in redone rubber tape. Very elegant design, very good manufacturing quality. The seat and back cushions can...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Grete Jalk Danish Modern Rosewood Model 56 Lounge Chair
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Sacramento, CA
1950s Danish Modern rosewood model 56 lounge chair designed by Greta Jalk for Poul Jeppesen with leather seat and back The chair has been professionally restored and reupholstered wi...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood Slender Edged Bookcase from Royal Danish Embassy
By Grete Jalk
Located in Kensington, MD
From the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, DC we are pleased to offer this lovely bookcase by Grete Jalk. Incredible figuring in the rosewood grain. Can...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Royal Danish Embassy Slender-Edged Bookcase by Grete Jalk in Brazilian Rosewood
By Grete Jalk
Located in Kensington, MD
From the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, DC we are pleased to offer this lovely bookcase by Grete Jalk. Incredible figuring in the rosewood grain. Can be placed directly on the f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Grete Jalk Pair of Brazilian Rosewood Easy Chairs for France & Søn, Denmark
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of easy chairs Model 128 designed by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark. Solid Brazilian Rosewood frame with soft cushions upholstered in a mixed light gray fabric. Excellent ...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Foam, Rosewood
60s 70s large teak coffee table side table Grete Jalk for Glostrup
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s large teak coffee table side table Grete Jalk for Glostrup
Object: coffee table
Manufacturer: Glostrup
Condition: good - vintage
Ag...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Teak
Grete Jalk Molded Plywood GJ Chair
By Grete Jalk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A molded teak plywood "GJ' or bow chair by Grete Jalk. Originally designed in 1963 for P. Jeppesen, only 300 chairs were produced and few remain in existence...
Category
1960s Danish Modern Vintage Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Teak Sofa by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish Mid-Century Modern teak sofa features comfortably upholstered three person seating, with sculpted teak frame and shapely upholstered armrests. This well-made vintage sof...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Grete Jalk Furniture
Materials
Teak
Grete Jalk furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Grete Jalk furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Grete Jalk furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Grete Jalk were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Erik Buch, Kurt Østervig, and Hans Olsen. Prices for Grete Jalk furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $887 and can go as high as $21,073, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,018.
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