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.
Grete Jalk Daybed for Poul Jeppesen
By Grete Jalk
Located in London, England
Grete Jalk (1920-2006) was a Danish architect and furniture designer known for her contributions to the mid-20th-century design movement. She studied architecture at the Royal Danish...
Velvet, Teak
Grete Jalk Mid Century Danish Teak Sofa
By Grete Jalk
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Grete Jalk Mid Century Danish Teak Sofa This sofa measures: 71.75 wide x 26.5 deep x 27.25 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 22 inches Good Vintage Condition ...
Upholstery, Teak
Grete Jalk for France and Son Mid Century Danish Teak Sofa
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Grete Jalk for France and Son Mid Century Danish Teak Sofa This sofa measures: 80 wide x 32 deep x 31.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17.25 and arm height of 21.75 inches Grea...
Upholstery, Teak
Tito Agnoli for Cinova Daybed Sofa in Red Upholstery
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Cinova, sofa or daybed model 711, red leatherette, steel, laminated wood, Italy, 1968. Cubic sofa that can be transformed into a daybed by Italian designer Tito Agno...
Steel
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 77 in D 34 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Daybed Sofa by Hans Wegner for Getma
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Danish Mid-Century Modern daybed, sofa - model GE- 258 designed by Hans Wegner for Getma. This example is in very good, estate condition, specifically the fabric shows wear, s...
Upholstery, Teak
Scandinavian Modern Teak Sofa after Grete Jalk
By France & Daverkosen, Grete Jalk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Scandinavian modern teak sofa after Grete Jalk features stylish Mid-Century Modern design, iconic sculpted seat back, and rich vintage teak finish. Vintage upholstered cushions ...
Teak
Grete Jalk for France and Son Mid Century Danish Teak Sofa
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Grete Jalk for France and Son Mid Century Danish Teak Sofa This sofa measures: 75 wide x 30 deep x 31.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 22 inches Good Vinta...
Upholstery, Teak
Poul Volther Daybed Model Diva 981 for Gemla, Sweden
By Poul Volther, Gemla
Located in Dronten, NL
Very nice sophisticated daybed sofa Model 981 designed by Poul Volther, manufactured by Gemla, Denmark, circa 1960. This sofa is nicknamed 'Diva' and features a sophisticated solid o...
Wool, Oak
$3,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 48 in D 30 in
Danish Modern Solid Teak "Minerva" Daybed / Sofa by Peter Hvidt for John Stuart
By John Stuart, Peter Hvidt
Located in San Diego, CA
An absolutely gorgeous Danish modern solid teak "Minerva" daybed / sofa by Peter Hvidt for John Stuart, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good original vintage condition with a brigh...
Teak, Chenille
Hans Wegner GE6 Daybed Sofa for GETAMA
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Low sofa with lifting backrest to open to a daybed. Designed by Hans Wegner with simple mid-century lines and construction. Please confirm location.
Fabric
Danish Midcentury Loveseat by Grete Jalk for Johannes Hansen Oak legs
By Grete Jalk, Johannes Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Classic Danish design by Grete Jalk on of the grand ladies of Danish design and manufactured by Johannses Hansen as model JH 180. Simple yet very elegant and refined design...
Oak
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 77 in D 28 in
Handsome Teak Grete Jalk 3 Seater Sofa for France and Son
By Grete Jalk
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A Grete Jalk's sculptural sofa for France & Son, this three-seater features sinuously contoured slats that create spectacular lines from all angles. The flared armrests, base and ori...
Upholstery, Teak
$3,628
H 28.75 in W 29.93 in D 61.42 in
Modern Grete Jalk Danish Sofa, France and Son Freshly Reupholstered
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
First edition for this sofa designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son. Scandinavian sofa Freshly reupholstered. Perfect condition.
Fabric, Teak
Daybed by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Model 6-6 - Daybed in teak on medium frame, with mattress in light fabric. Grete Jalk / P. Jeppesen.
Wool, Teak
Daybed by Grethe Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Copenhagen, DK
GJ Daybed in teak with storage in the backrest. Reupholstered with textile from Kjellerup Væveri (Samsø, 10-551). Designed in 1965. Grete Jalk / P. Jeppesen
Teak
Grete Jalk Daybed for Poul Jeppesen
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare convertible teak daybed by Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen, c.1960s. This piece features unique design elements making it the ideal daybed. The wide seat cushion can be gently pull...
Leather, Wool, Teak
Danish Mid Century Modern Daybed by Grete Jalk for Bovirke
By Grete Jalk, Bovirke
Located in Soquel, CA
Clean and elegant daybed by Grete Juel Jalk (Denmark, 1920–2006) for Bovirke Furniture Denmark. Designed and manufactured in Copenhagen, Denmark. Includes a reproduction cushion in the original style. Grete Juel Jalk (1920–2006) was a Danish furniture designer. From the 1960s, she did much to enhance Denmark's reputation for modern furniture design with her clear, comfortable lines. She also edited the Danish magazine Mobilia and compiled a four-volume work on Danish furniture. n 1953, Jalk opened her own design studio. Inspired by Alvar Aalto's laminated bent-plywood furniture and Charles Eames' moulded plywood designs, she began to develop her own boldly curved models. General interest in her unconventional models grew only slowly although they were sought after for exhibitions and collections. In 1963, the English newspaper Daily Mail launched a competition for a chair for a man...
Cotton, Oak
Daybed by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Daybed in teak with light textile. Maker P. Jeppesen.
Teak
Rare Grete Jalk Daybed, 1965
By Grete Jalk
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rarely seen and intelligently designed daybed by Grete Jalk and manufactured by Jeppesen of Denmark. Teak and upholstered daybeds with convertible two position seat and a clever hing...
Teak
Grete Jalk Reupholstered Daybed in Colorful Pierre Frey Fabric
By Grete Jalk
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Grete Jalk for P.J. Furniture, reupholstered daybed, teak and fabric, Denmark, 1960s. Scandinavian modern daybed by Danish designer Grete Jalk. The piece features a raised edge of...
Teak
Greta Jalk Daybed
By Grete Jalk
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Cleverly designed daybed designed by Greta Jalk and manufactured by Jeppesen of Denmark.Teak and upholstered daybed with convertible 2 position seat and hin...
Teak, Upholstery