Designer Trent Jansen is at the forefront of design anthropology, a furniture and interior design movement in which designers and anthropologists work closely to produce products informed by the symbolism and visual principles of other cultures.
Each piece he designs has a rough, primal energy derived from a variety of techniques, whether incorporating scales into the surface of a side table or suggesting a spider’s shape through the form of a bench. Jansen holds immense respect for heritage, reverently and conscientiously embedding cultural identity and history in his pieces.
Jansen grew up in the small town of Kiama on the southeast Australian coast. He began his studies at the Industrial Design School of the University of Alberta in Canada and then transferred to the College of Fine Arts at the University of New South Wales, where he received his bachelor’s degree in design. He later earned a PhD from the University of Wollongong.
He then worked under Dutch designer Marcel Wanders in Amsterdam. In 2004, Jansen returned to Australia and opened his design studio in Sydney. Eventually, he relocated to Thirroul on the southern coast of Australia’s New South Wales.
Jansen has exhibited his work in solo and group shows worldwide, including at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, and venues in Singapore, Beijing and Milan. His awards include the 2008 Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award, the Australia Council for the Arts “Project Funding” Award in 2019 and 2017 and a 2021 Design Files + Laminex Design Award.
Today, Jansen continues to design new pieces and create outstanding works of furniture out of his studio in Thirroul.
On 1stDibs, find an intriguing array of Trent Jansen seating, tables, storage pieces and more.
Pregnant chair by Trent Jansen and Marcel Wanders for Moooi, 2008
By Trent Jansen, MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This is a very special, fun and playful chair. The so called 'Pregnant Chair' was designed by Trent Jansen in cooperation with Marcel Wanders for Moooi....
Wood
Kutitji Chair / Shield Chair by Trent Jansen at Studio ALM - Edition2/8
By Trent Jansen
Located in Paddington, NSW
Edition 2 out of 8. The Kutitji Chair by Australian designer Trent Jansen is a deeply expressive collectible piece shaped by his signature method of Design Anthropology—an approach t...
Walnut
$43,035
Kutitji Chair / Shield
By Trent Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Trent Jansen is a designer based in Thirroul, Australia, and Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Art & Design, Sydney Australia. Jansen gained his PhD from the Universi...
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$3,548 / item
Saddle Vassel Tall
By Trent Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Trent Jansen is a designer based in Thirroul, Australia, and Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Art & Design, Sydney Australia. Jansen gained his PhD from the Universi...
Brass
Tall Bronze Pedestal Bowl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant, hand-made pedestal bowl with an undulating edge and metallic glaze. Each is one-of-a-kind. Decorative use only; handwashing recommended.
Ceramic
Demetra Tan Round Tall Basket with Lid
By Pinetti
Located in Milan, IT
Designed and crafted exclusively by Pinetti, this striking leather basket offers a luxurious and practical solution to storage around the house. Beautifully handwoven leather strips ...
Leather
$18,000 / set
H 37 in W 21 in D 18 in
C. 1800 Set of 12 Shield Back Dining Chairs from George III Period
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1800 George III period set of 12 dining chairs, English. Mahogany. A long set of 2 arms & 10 sides made for a fine English Country House. Simply molded & carved shield backs wi...
Wood
Chair D
By Chuch Estudio
Located in Mérida, MX
The handwoven technique of the 'Petatillo' in Yucatan has been practiced for more than 50 years. Usually, it is woven with natural cane. This is one hundred percent artisan work, whi...
Nylon, Wood
$1,800
H 38 in W 24.25 in D 20.25 in
Antique Italian Savonarola Dante Chair Carved Oak Renaissance Lion Shield
Located in Tyler, TX
Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Oak "Savonarola" or "Dante" Chair~~early 20th Century These chairs, often called scissor or "X" chairs, are typically supported by two crossed or curved supports at the sides or back and front~~these chairs were given the name Savonarola in the 19th century after Girolamo Savonarola, an Italian priest in Florence from 1494-1498~~the design comes from an ancient Roman "X" shaped chair that was popular in medieval Italy...
Oak
Japanese Tall Ikebana Basket, Bamboo, Suruga Sensuji Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bamboo Ikebana basket features tall cylindrical shape with prominent rounded handle. The basket is woven of thin round bamboo strips that are secured with light brown fiber, ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Chair D
By Chuch Estudio
Located in Mérida, MX
The handwoven technique of the 'Petatillo' in Yucatan has been practiced for more than 50 years. Usually, it is woven with natural cane. This is one hundred percent artisan work, whi...
Nylon, Wood
$2,300 / set
H 37 in W 23 in D 19 in
Federal Style Shield Back Chairs with Faux Tortoise Leather Seats, pair
Located in Wichita, KS
A refined pair of Federal style shield back armchairs featuring elegant proportions and classic neoclassical detailing. Each chair is crafted in richly toned wood with delicately car...
Leather, Wood
Tall Smoke Double Branch Bowl, Pia Wüstenberg
By Pia Wüstenberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall smoke double branch bowl, Pia Wüstenberg Dimensions: D 16-18 x H 24 Materials: glass, wood Available in other colors. A playful jar, with a lid made from a branch stub fol...
Glass, Wood
$792Sale Price|20% Off
H 37 in W 20 in D 21 in
Finely Paint Decorated Adams Style Shield Back Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite Adams Style Shield Back Armchair captures the elegance and refinement of 18th-century neoclassical design, inspired by the celebrated English architect and designer Ro...
Walnut
1970s Tall Natural Tone Basket with Lid
Located in Cordova, SC
A fine basket with lid. One handle is fully woven intact against the basket, the other handle is slightly unraveled, but still affixed. There is some thinning around one portion of t...
Wicker, Reed
Demetra Cream Round Tall Basket
By Pinetti
Located in Milan, IT
This eye-catching tall basket is part of the Demetra collection. It is produced by hand with high-quality leather and combines precise handicraft and Itali...
Leather