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 for France & Son Danish Teak Lounge Chair 1960s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful and iconic Danish lounge chair designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son. Crafted in solid teak with the original makers badge still intact, this piece showcases the sculpt...
Fabric, Teak
Grete Jalk Teak & Tweed Lounge Chair for France & Søn
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
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...
Upholstery, Foam, Teak
Danish Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Denmark, 1950s Beautifully made teak armchair with gently curved armrests and coiled spring seat and back, designed by Grete Jalk. Frame is made of old growth teak that has very tigh...
Fabric, Teak
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This exquisite lounge chair exemplifies the essence of Scandinavian design, created by Grete Jalk and crafted by France and Son ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Pair Mid Century Danish Modern Beech Lounge Chairs by Grete Jalk - John Stuart
By John Stuart, Grete Jalk
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Beech Mid Century Danish Modern Lounge Chairs by Grete Jalk for John Stuart. Cushions are fairly new and in excellent condition with very little wear. Wood frames we...
Fabric, Rubber, Beech, Lacquer
Pair of Lounge Chairs Grete Jalk Danish Teak, 1960s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of Grete Jalk lounge chairs, Denmark, 1960s. Excellent condition. New cushions, freshly reupholstered. Perfect condition.
Fabric, Teak
Grete Jalk, Lounge Chair, Tubular Steel, Rattan, Denmark, 1952
By Grete Jalk, Laurids Lonborg
Located in High Point, NC
A rare black-lacquered tubular steel and rattan lounge chair designed by Grete Jalk in 1952 and produced by Laurids Lønborg, Denmark, 1950s. Missmatched caps on front lets, one in r...
Steel
Pair of easy chairs by Grete Jalk for France & Daverkosen, Denmark 1962
By Grete Jalk, France & Daverkosen
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish vintage set of two armchairs in teak designed by Grete Jalk for France & Daverkosen in 1962. This easy chair has a teak frame, blue velvet fabric and is marked by the producer...
Velvet, Teak
Danish Mid-Century Armchair, Teak Easy Chair by Grete Jalk, France & Søn, 1950s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the fra...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Scandinavian Modern Teak Lounge Chair By Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian modern, lounge chair by Grete Jalk for France & Son features a teak frame with upholstered seat and back removeable cushions and cove...
Fabric, Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, 1960s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Classic easy chair in teak, designed by the renowned Danish designer Grete Jalk in the 1960s. Known for her elegant and minimalist approach, Jalk’s designs epitomize the timeless qua...
Teak
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Longue Chair By Grete Jalk for france and Son 1950s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Čelinac, BA
Grete Jalk Longue Chair Denmark for France and Son 1950
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Grete Jalk Teak & Leather Lounge Chair
By Grete Jalk
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
Model 128 solid teak lounge chair produced by France & Son, Denmark. Original sprung cushion units covered in new black leather. This is the updated and later iteration of the model...
Leather, Teak
Pair of Danish mid-century modern 1960s teak Lounge chairs by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of lounge chairs by one of the few Danish female mid-century furniture in the refined teak woodwork. A beautiful pair of chairs with organic shapes and clean lines giving them a ...
Teak
$1,816Sale Price|34% Off
Armchair Model 118 Made In Teak By Grete Jalk For France & Son From 1960s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Lejre, DK
Enjoy a sophisticated resting experience with this recliner, model 118, designed by the talented Grete Jalk and manufactured by France & Son in the 1960s. Crafted in teak and elegant...
Leather, Teak
$3,400Sale Price|20% Off
Outstanding Grete Jalk Teak Lounge Chair, Midcentury Danish Modern
By Grete Jalk
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Outstanding Grete Jalk teak lounge chair. This chair retains its original mauve woven fabric in nice vintage condition-some light spots-cleaning recommended. Very usable as is but wo...
Upholstery, Teak
Pair of Grete Jalk Vintage 1950s Rosewood Lounge Chairs with Leather Cushions
By Poul Jeppesen, Grete Jalk
Located in London, England
Grete Jalk - PJ-65 Lounge Chairs, 1950s A pair of vintage rosewood lounge chairs by Danish designer Grete Jalk from the 1950s that have been carefully restored and have new feather-...
Leather, Rosewood
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
Grete Jalk Vintage 1950s Rosewood Lounge Chair with Leather Cushions
By Poul Jeppesen, Grete Jalk
Located in London, England
Grete Jalk - PJ-65 Lounge Chairs, 1950s A pair of vintage rosewood lounge chairs by Danish designer Grete Jalk from the 1950s that have been carefully restored and have new feather-...
Leather, Rosewood
Grete Jalk "Grand Danois" Lounge Chair for France & Son
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in San Francisco, CA
Grete Jalk design highjack lounge chair referred to as the "Grand Danois" for France & Son. High quality construction and materials executed in Brazilian rosewood with a teal leather...
Leather, Rosewood
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair by Grete Jalk, PJ56 Highback Model, c1960s
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
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
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
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This exquisite lounge chair exemplifies the essence of Scandinavian design, created by Grete Jalk and crafted by France and Son ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the f...
Fabric, Upholstery, 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
Danish Mid-Century Armchair, Teak Easy Chair by Grete Jalk, France & Søn, 1950s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the fra...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Grete Jalk´s Lounge Armchair In Teak Made By France and Søn, 1960s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Lejre, DK
This Scandinavian Modern period armchair or lounge chair, designed by the renowned Grete Jalk and manufactured for France & Søn in the 1960s in Denmark, exemplifies the epitome of mi...
Leather, 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
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the f...
Fabric, Upholstery, 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
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