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.
$1,839Sale Price / item|25% Off
1960s Grete Jalke Sofas With Oak Legs and Blue Wool Upholstery
By Johannes Hansen, Grete Jalk
Located in London, GB
Four Available: 1960s Grete Jalke Freestanding Sofas With Stained Oak Legs and Blue Wool Upholstery and made by Johannes Hansen. Require reupholstery. Wool with stains, wear and defe...
Fabric, Oak
High Back Upholstered Settee by Grete Jalk for Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Grete Jalk
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
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
$15,668
H 39.38 in W 77.56 in D 41.34 in
Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles Serpentine Shaped Sofa, Settee Upholstered
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles serpentine-shaped sofa. Featuring carved detailing, decorated with floral motifs and acanthus, with original Verd...
Walnut
$8,750
H 35.5 in W 78 in D 27.5 in
Scandinavian Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Ormolu and Upholstery, circa 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An elegant Empire Swedish Karl Johan sofa with graceful lines in mahogany with satinwood line inlay, ormolu and ebonized details. Offers scrolled arms and saber feet with upholstered...
Ormolu
Marco Zanuso Style Modern Sofa 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
Chic Mid-Century Modern sofa with brass legs in the style of Marco Zanuso. Italy, 1960's. Newly upholstered in pebble color JAB indoor/outdoor fabric by Venfield.
Brass, Steel
French Louis XV Style Carved-Wood & Upholstered Settee
Located in East Point, GA
A French Louis XV style sofa from the mid-19th century. This antique settee from France upholstered features a gently arched top rail at back, carved acanthus leaves decorated the sk...
Upholstery, Wood
Sofa With Sculptural Armrests in Oak and Brown Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, oak, fabric, Czech Republic, 1960s A comfortable and bulky three seat sofa with a soft feel. This sofa is made in the Czech Republic in the 1960s. One of the elegant character...
Fabric, Oak
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
Danish Midcentury 2 1/2 Seat Sofa Grete Jalk Style with Teak Legs
By Johannes Hansen, Grete Jalk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Classic Danish design very similar to Grete Jalk's one of the grand ladies of Danish design, and Johannes Hansen's model JH 180. Simple yet very elegant and refined design ...
Oak, Wool, Teak
$7,051Sale Price / item|25% Off
H 28.75 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Channeled Fleure Luxus Sofa in Green Velvet and Oak or Walnut Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Fleure Luxus sofa is our latest adaptation of the award winning Fleure 3 – seater sofa, upholstered in this premium cotton velvet. The Fleure range combines traditional style cue...
Velvet, Oak, Walnut
$6,253
H 29.53 in W 58.67 in D 26.38 in
Søren Hansen, Rare Sofa / Bench Model 2240 for Fritz Hansen, 1939
By Fritz Hansen, Søren 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
$1,250
H 35.44 in W 59.06 in D 30.71 in
Italian Mid-Century Bamboo and Rattan Sofa with new Upholstery, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous two-seater sofa made completely of bamboo and rattan in Italy, 1960s/1970s. The sofa is in nearly excellent condition since it was placed inside the previous home. The cushi...
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker
$15,000
H 45 in W 60 in D 32 in
English Mahogany Camel Back Settee Upholstered in White Muslin, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany camel back settee with flanking scrolled brass tacked arms, removable cushion, carved floral knees, and terminating on trifod splayed feet. Settee is upholstered in ...
Brass
$9,950 / item
H 27 in W 66 in D 32 in
Two Seater No. 1 - Fluentum Series - Wooden Sofa with upholstery
By Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
This piece features a unique design element where the main frame and the inner layers of wood converge to create the back-rest of the piece in a natural flow. The legs of the sofa se...
Velvet, Ash, Bentwood
$6,079Sale Price / item|25% Off
H 28.75 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Channeled Fleure Sofa in Teal Blue Cotton Velvet with Walnut Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The award winning Fleure Sofa is an eye-catching design which commands an audience. Exuding a contemporary vibe but with traditional style cues, as demonstrated by the exquisite flut...
Brass
Wavy Back Sofa Upholstered in Pure Mohair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An elegant modern scallop back 3 person sofa upholstered in a premium, soft, green grey pure mohair fabric. Also available in bespoke widths and in COM - please enquire. Fast ship...
Fabric, Wood
Danish Midcentury Loveseat by Grete Jalk for Johannes Hansen Oak legs
By Johannes Hansen, Grete Jalk
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
Grete Jalk Sofa in Teak for France & Daverkosen Danish Mid-Century
By France & Daverkosen, Grete Jalk
Located in Chicago, IL
Grete Jalk sofa for France & Daverkosen Denmark, circa 1955 Teak frame, upholstery. Measures: 80.5" W x 30.5" D x 32" H 'John Stuart Inc' distributors label attached to inte...
Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 33.08 in W 80.71 in D 29.53 in
1960's Mid-Century Sofa Designed by Grete Jalk for France & Son Denmark
By Grete Jalk
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A mid-century sofa designed by Grete Jalk for France & Son. Teak framed with curved arms and original label to inside of seat. Original cushions re-upholsted in white Bouclé. France ...
Bouclé, Teak
Danish Modern Sofa or Settee by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern sofa or settee by Grete Jalk, Denmark, circa 1960s.
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage Grete Jalk Fd-118 Four-Seat Sofa in Teak and Grey Wool, 1960s
By France & Søn, John Stuart Inc., Grete Jalk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An excellent example of Grete Jalk's Classic FD-118 four-seat sofa in Teak and Italian grey boiled-wool; manufactured by France & Son, imported by John Stuart Inc. This expert, minim...
Wool, Teak
Greta Jalk Settee
By Grete Jalk
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gorgeous settee designed by Greta Jalk for France & Sons. Completely refurbished with refinished frame and new wool upholstery. Arm height: 21.5"
Teak, Wool