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.
Danish Modern Teak Sofa by Grete Jalk for France and Son, 1960s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A true icon of mid-century modern design, this exceptional sofa by Grete Jalk for France & Son, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s, exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of the...
Fabric, Teak
Danish armchair model "118" by Grete Jalk
By France & Daverkosen, Grete Jalk
Located in Brescia, IT
Elegant Danish 1960s teak armchair, an expression of Grete Jalk's organic modernism, with original frame and refined proportions. Iconic armchair model "118" designed by Grete Jalk ...
Teak
$2,400Sale Price|25% Off
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair by Grete Jalk, PJ56 Highback Model, c1960s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale is an iconic mid-century modern lounge chair crafted by the renowned Danish designer, Grete Jalk, for Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik. This is the highly sought-after PJ56 high b...
Leather, Teak
$7,492 / set
Pair of easy chairs in textile by Grete Jalk
By Fritz Hansen, Grete Jalk
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of easy chair in grey 'Hallingdal 65' textile with frame in aluminium. Designed by Grete Jalk and made by Fritz Hansen.
Aluminum
Grete Jalk for France & Son Teak Leather Sofa
By France & Daverkosen, Grete Jalk
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Grete Jalk sofa in teak and original brown leather, designed by Grete Jalk and produced by France & Son / Daverkosen, Denmark, 1960s. Elegant Danish modern design featuring a solid ...
Leather, Teak
Grete Jalk, Unique. Lounge Chair with Frame of mahogany
By Jens Risom, Grete Jalk
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Grete Jalk, unique lounge chair in mahogany Original upholsteret with light patinated nature leather. Made by Niels Risom. Only made one of these.
Leather, Mahogany
$7,008Sale Price|20% Off
Grete Jalk Sofa in Caviúna, Manufactured in Brazil Móveis Ambiente for Rino Levi
By Grete Jalk
Located in Curitiba, PR
This elegant sofa was designed by Danish designer Grete Jalk and produced in Brazil by Móveis Ambiente under exclusive commission from architect Rino Levi during the 1960s. The piece...
Hardwood
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
8 Ft. Long Four Seat Sofa by Grete Jalk for France and Sons in Teak, c. 1960s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Deland, FL
Rare and exceptional is this sculptural sofa by Grete Jalk for France & Son. This four-seat sofa features contoured slats that create a spectacular line from the back and side angles...
Teak
2Rare Danish teak lounge chair/ Easy chair by Grete Jalk For France &Son , 1960s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid-century Rare Danish teak lounge chair/ Easy chair by Grete Jalk For France &Son , 1960s Design year: 1960s Style: vintage, Danish modern Designed by: Grete Jalk For France &Son Set of 2 Matching sofa...
Fabric, Teak
Rare Danish teak lounge chair/ Easy chair by Grete Jalk For Cado , 1960s
By Grete Jalk, Cado
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid-century Rare Danish teak lounge chair/ Easy chair by Grete Jalk For Cado , 1960s Design year: 1960s Style: vintage, Danish modern Designed by: Grete Jalk For Cado Matching...
Fabric, Teak
Danish Grete Jalk Model PJ56 Teak Lounge Chair For Poul Jeppesen Mobelfabrik
By Grete Jalk
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
Rarely seen design by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Mobelfabrik. Very similar to her excellent design for France & Son (which we also have listed for sale) but with a little more scu...
Teak
Pair of '118' armchairs by Grete Jalk for France & Son, 1960s, red
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Milano, IT
A pair of '118' armchairs designed by Grete Jalk for a France & Son production from the 1960s. The frame is made of teak wood, known for its beautiful natural grain; the padding cons...
Fabric, Teak
Pj4 Arm Chairs in Teak and Leather by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Denmark 1960s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully refinished pair of PJ4 armchairs designed by Grete Jalk and produced by Poul Jeppesen, Denmark, in the 1960s. These iconic mid‑century chairs showcase Jalk’s refined Sc...
Teak, Upholstery
Danish armchair FD118 by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, 1960s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Brescia, IT
Poltrona danese modello FD118 di Grete Jalk per France & Søn, struttura in teak e cuscini rifoderati in lana melange grigia. Refined Danish armchair model FD118 designed by Grete Ja...
Fabric, Teak
Danish Santos Rosewood Model 56 Armchair by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A very good example of this high quality lounge chair by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, in finely marked solid Santos Rosewood, or Machaerium Scleroxylon, a sustainable timber, hence ...
Hardwood
Danish wingback armchair with off-white canvas, Niger leather details, elm legs
By Grete Jalk
Located in DK
This very rare and early wingback was designed in 1946 by Grete Jalk (1920-2006) and Ejner Larsen (1917-1987). The legs are of elm. Seat, back and sides are upholstered with light fa...
Leather, Fabric, Elm
Mid-Century Dining Chairs by Grete Jalk for Sibast
By Sibast, George Tanier, Grete Jalk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four wide seat dining chairs by Grete Jalk for Sibast. Made of oak wood with a distinct arched back plank with oval cutout. The seat is "floating" over the long tapered legs a...
Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$6,616
Two Seater by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Copenhagen, DK
2-Seater sofa in black leather and legs in rosewood. Grete Jalk / Johannes Hansen.
Rosewood
Pair of Armchair by Greta Jalk, Denmark, circa 1950s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Armchair by Greta Jalk, Denmark, circa 1950s
Wood
$2,585 / set
Rare pair of Danish modern fumed oak side chairs
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in DK
This rarely seen pair of side chairs (model 3-1) in slightly fumed oak was designed ca. 1956 by Danish designer Grete Jalk (1920-2006). These examples were executed by Poul Jeppesen,...
Oak
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...
Teak
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...
Upholstery, Teak
Mid century easy lounge chairs by Grete Jalk, Denmark, teak & brass, Set of 2
By Grete Jalk
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid century easy lounge chairs by Grete Jalk, Denmark, teak & brass, 19560s, Set of 2 It is in great condition. However, as with all the vintage items some minor wear marks should b...
Brass