Verner Panton introduced the word “groovy” — or at least its Danish equivalent — into the Scandinavian modern design lexicon. He developed fantastical, futuristic forms and embraced bright colors and new materials such as plastic, fabric-covered polyurethane foam and steel-wire framing for the creation of his chairs, sofas, floor lamps and other furnishings. And Panton’s ebullient Pop art sensibility made him an international design star of the 1960s and ’70s. This radical departure from classic Danish modernism, however, actually stemmed from his training under the greats of that design style.
Born on the largely rural Danish island of Funen, Panton studied architecture and engineering at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where the lighting designer Poul Henningsen was one of his teachers. After graduating, in 1951, Panton worked in the architectural office of Arne Jacobsen, and he became a close friend of Hans Wegner's.
Henningsen taught a scientific approach to design; Jacobsen was forever researching new materials; and Wegner, the leader in modern furniture design using traditional woodworking and joinery, encouraged experimental form.
Panton opened his own design office in 1955, issuing tubular steel chairs with woven seating. His iconoclastic aesthetic was announced with his 1958 Cone chair, modified a year later as the Heart Cone chair. Made of upholstered sheet metal and with a conical base in place of legs, the design shocked visitors to a furniture trade show in Copenhagen.
Panton went on to successive bravura technical feats. His curving, stackable Panton chair, his most popular design, was the first chair to be made from a single piece of molded plastic.
Panton had been experimenting with ideas for chairs made of a single material since the late 1950s. He debuted his plastic seat for the public in the design magazine Mobilia in 1967 and then at the 1968 Cologne Furniture Fair. The designer’s S-Chair models 275 and 276, manufactured during the mid-1960s by August Sommer and distributed by the bentwood specialists at Gebrüder Thonet, were the first legless chairs crafted from a single piece of plywood.
Panton would spend the latter half of the 1960s and early ’70s developing all-encompassing room environments composed of sinuous and fluid-formed modular seating made of foam and metal wire. He also created a series of remarkable lighting designs, most notably his Fun chandeliers — introduced in 1964 and composed of scores of shimmering capiz-shell disks — and the Space Age VP Globe pendant light of 1969.
Panton’s designs are made to stand out and put an eye-catching exclamation point on even the most modern decor.
Find vintage Verner Panton chairs, magazine racks, rugs, table lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$23,000
Verner Panton, Pantonova
By Verner Panton
Located in Allerum, SE
Verner Panton "Pantonova" Chaise with ottoman for Fritz Hansen. 1970s, Denmark. Chaise Height: 30.8" in (78 cm) Width: 22.4" in (57 cm) Depth: 44.9" in (114 cm) Ottoman Height: ...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Pantonova Chair and Ottoman by Verner Panton, Chrome Steel and Cognac Leather
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Kansas City, MO
Wedge shaped chair and ottoman designed by Verner Panton for his Pantonova Series manufactured by Fritz Hansen. Completely original including the cognac / camel color leather cusions...
Chrome
Pantonova Chaise or Chair and Ottoman by Verner Panton, Fine and Rare Example
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pantonova chaise or chair and ottoman. Designed by Verner Panton and made by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, circa 1970. Original chromed steel frame and original deep red / berry color fabri...
Chrome
System 1-2-3 chaise longue designed by Verner Panton, manufacturer Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Athens, Attiki
System 1-2-3 chaise longue designed by Verner Panton, manufacturer Fritz Hansen 1973-1974. This Serial production model seat in S-shape, was designed in cantilever form and consists ...
Metal
Space Age Vintage Organic Anthropomorph Blue Chaise Longue Verner Panton 1962/63
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage organic anthropomorph chaise longue or daybed by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen 1962/63 Denmark Polstermöbelreihe Kleinserie. A wonderful iconic chaise longue in bold blue color with upholstery designed by Verner Panton 1962 / 63 Denmark for Fritz Hansen 1975. Paper label with company´s name With rounded beech wood feet and a gorgeous shape covered with a bright blue woolen fabric this piece is the perfect seating to create your place where you live. Plus it is freestanding. An eclectic mix of the styles and designers Antique or Contemporary, Minimalist or Rustic, it all comes together under your direction. Verner Panton ( 1926 - 1998 ) Danish archtiect and designer designed fabulous furniture...
Fabric
1973, Verner Panton for Rosenthal, 1-2-3 Serie, Rare Chaise Longue, Ochre Fabric
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Fabric, Upholstery
$11,183
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Beige Fabric, Handmade by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins chaise longue and its matching...
Cotton, Wood, Bouclé, Velvet, Leather, Fabric, Mohair, Linen, Oak, Walnut
Modern Beige Textured Fabric Upholstered Chaise Longue
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern Beige Textured Fabric Upholstered Chaise Longue, together with two matching pillows. 28" H x 77" W x 39" D; seat: 21" H. Prov...
Upholstery
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
Walter Lamb, Chaise Longue, Bronze, Fabric, USA, 1955
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in High Point, NC
A bronze and fabric cord chaise longue designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan, USA, c. 1955. Seat Height (inches): 12.25" Arm Height (inches): 17.13" All items ship ...
Bronze
$3,299 / set
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Chromed Steel 'Cube' Stools by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in London, GB
A pair of chromed tteel 'Cube' Stools by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen. Each formed from a continuous chromed steel wire frame with a loose upholstered cushion. The design was orig...
Steel, Chrome
Verner Panton 123 Lounge sofa Fritz Hansen Denmark 1973
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Three seat sofa designed by Verner Panton and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark 1973. This exceptional piece is part of Verner Panton’s celebrated 123 system, a modular furnitu...
Aluminum
$12,478 / item
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, DEDAR Bouclé, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins chaise longue and its matching...
Leather, Bouclé, Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Mohair, Linen, Oak, Walnut
Elegance Chaise Longue, Cleopatra Daybed
Located in Delft, NL
An elegance chaise longue, Cleopatra daybed A daybed in curved shape with soft purple velours buttoned upholstered fabric The measurement is 190 cm l...
Fabric, Wood
Verner Panton Cone Chair
By Plus-Linje, Verner Panton
Located in Highland, IN
A Classic Panton design, the cone chair is petite, sculptural, playful and surprisingly comfortable. This vintage example is newly upholstered in a brick red fabric with a nice weave.
Steel
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Chaise Longue, Oak, Fabric, Finland, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and pink floral-printed fabric chaise longue, model Dolphin, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and produced by Skanno, Finland, 1960s. Vintage fabric in fair condition, ideally r...
Fabric, Oak
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Chaise Longue
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, chaise longue, chrome-plated metal, textured multicolored fabric, Italy, 1970s This exquisite lounge chair, designed by Giovanni Offredi for th...
Chrome, Metal
Antique French Gothic Oak Chaise Longue, Circa 1870
Located in Dallas, TX
In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was not uncommon for skilled craftsmen to repurpose older wood carvings into their own furniture creations. A French menuisier utilized this technique (circa 1870), incorporating a previously carved chair back and arms into the construction of this Gothic style chaise lounge. Based on the faded Gothic motifs and age separations, the repurposed pieces were most likely carved in the 16th century. The Gothic period carvings seen on the top rail include a series of foliate groupings flanked by bulbous finials. Although the carvings have faded over the course of centuries, the finials might have been leaf cups, which were often seen during the Gothic period. The back rest has been adorned with arcading beneath an infilled niche that is flanked by a pair of linenfold carvings. A cream colored cushion has been affixed by small nails above an apron embellished with barb tracery and ogee brackets. The entire lounge is supported by six block legs, with the back four extending directly from the back and the arms. Relatively low to the ground, our French Gothic oak...
Textile, Oak
'Relaxer' Rocking long chair by Verner Panton
By Verner Panton
Located in Brussels, BE
The Relaxer by Verner Panton is an iconic and innovative piece of furniture that epitomizes mid-century modern design with a playful twist. These lounge chairs feature a unique rocki...
Fabric, Beech
Verner Panton Black Amoebe Highback Armchair, Ready to Ship
By Verner Panton
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Verner Panton in 1970, the Amoebe Highback chair was created for the Visiona installation and has become a design icon. Filled with black fabric, the sinuous...
Fabric
Sold
H 30 in W 22 in D 48 in
Verner Panton Pantonova Lounge Chair with Ottoman / Chaise Lounge, Original
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare, completely original, Verner Panton "Pantonova" Chaise. The original green upholstery retains the Fritz Hansen Label. The fabric has some pilling and small, hard to notice ...
Chrome
Sold
H 36.23 in W 39.38 in D 14.18 in
Verner Panton Orange Phantom Chair for Innovation Randers, circa 1998
By Verner Panton
Located in Valladolid, ES
This amazing seating sculpture is the last creation of the world-famous designer Verner Panton before he passed away in 1998. Extraordinary design and can be used in various ways, th...
Polystyrene
Verner Panton Welle 4 Lounge Chair Chaise, 1969, Custom Vegan Leather
By Verpan, Verner Panton
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Verner Panton for Verpan WELLE 4 Low lounge seating, 1969 Welle series includes six different units (Welle 1-6) that can be used on their own, in pairs, ...
Faux Leather
Verner Panton Leather Chaise Longue
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Type L" recliner from Panton's "System 1-2-3," originally produced by Fritz Hansen. No longer in production, this example features the most desirable black, tufted leather upholster...
Steel, Chrome
Verner Panton 1-2-3 Lounge Chairs
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in San Mateo, CA
Chaise longue from the 1-2-3 series of chairs by Verner Panton. This chair is covered in leather. The chair is original and has some wear. There are some scuffs, some light soiling a...
Steel
Verner Panton Relaxer Chair for Rosenthal, circa 1970
By Verner Panton
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Relaxer chair designed by Verner Panton circa 1970, manufactured for Rosenthal in Denmark. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with a...
Wood
"Pantonova" Reclining Chair With Ottoman By Verner Panton, 1971, Denmark
By Verner Panton
Located in Girona, Spain
"Pantonova" reclining chair with Ottoman by Verner Panton, 1971, Denmark. Designed by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen. Original fabric. Wire rod frame with upholstered seats. Good...
Pair lounge chair Verner Panton
By Verner Panton
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of ultra cool lounge chairs model G of the VP 1-2-3 System designed by Verner Panton and manufactured by Fritz Hansen Denmark circa 1970s. Steel plate frames with chrome hardwa...
Chrome, Steel