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.
Cloverleaf in and Outdoor Sofa, Right Unit in White by Verner Panton
By Verpan, Verner Panton
Located in Horsens, DK
Cloverleaf right unit sofa in-and-outdoor in white by Verner Panton. Charging unit can be added - for indoor use only. Modular sofa system consisting of r...
Eames Storage Unit by Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
The innovative Eames Storage Unit (1950) was designed to be configured to fit a specific space or need, and uses an ingenious and inventive system of construction as simple and as op...
Steel
Art and Trade Shop Unit Cabinet
By Eero Saarinen
Located in New York, NY
Custom and well-crafted modular sliding-door cabinet produced by Eric R.E. Schuster of the Art and Trade Shop of New York City in the early 1940s. Styl...
Birch
$9,059Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
Booleanos Tv Cabinet, Media Unit, Credenza in Warm Wood Veneer by Joel Escalona
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Booleanos Tv Cabinet, Media Unit, Credenza in Warm Wood Veneer by Joel Escalona Booleanos collection reflects the concept of involuntary interactions and unexpected intersections. ...
Wood, Plywood
White Oak Media Unit with Oak Trim "Temple Media Unit"
By Anton Maka
Located in Shelby Twp, MI
This media unit/credenza is made of solid oak using traditional woodworking joinery. The added trim on the Temple Media Unit enhances the texture and dimens...
Oak
$13,620 / item
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
3 in 1 Bar Unit in Mink Shagreen & Shell and Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$11,700
H 85.04 in W 144.1 in D 22.84 in
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti Wall Unit in Lacquered Ash and Chrome
By Vittorio Introini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, multifunctional wall unit, black lacquered ash, chrome and white fabric, Italy, 1980s. Rare multifunctional wall unit designed by the Italian design...
Chrome
$38,235 / item
H 92.25 in W 36 in D 24 in
Collector’s Textured Brass and Oak Wine Unit with Bar Cabinet By Amuneal
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal's Collector’s Wine Unit with Bar Cabinet highlights our carved oak wine shelves as a perfect way to store and display your favorite bottles. Our p...
Brass
USM Haller Brown Unit in Stock
By Usm Haller
Located in New York, NY
different compartments. Two desks.
Metal, Chrome
Loop Weg Contemporary and Customizable TV Unit by Luísa Peixoto
By Luísa Peixoto
Located in PT
TV cabinet with 4 doors. Bespoke / Customizable Identical shapes with different sizes and finishings. All RAL colors available. (Mate / Half Gloss / Gloss).
Wood
$44,872Sale Price|20% Off
H 66.93 in W 141.74 in D 15.75 in
1980 Post-Modern Big Wall-Unit in Metall, lacquered Plywood in Blue, White Black
Located in Berlin, DE
This 1980s Post-Modern One of a Kind Big Wall-Unit was made in metal, lacquered plywood, brass and lacquered plastic. It is in blue, white, black and ocher beige. The fantastic mechanism with the gym weights...
Metal, Brass
Frame Contemporary and Customizable TV Unit by Luísa Peixoto
By Luísa Peixoto
Located in PT
Frame TV unit with drawer. Electrification only approved for Europe. Bespoke / Customizable Identical shapes with different sizes and finishings. All ...
Wood
$5,750 / item
H 39.5 in W 60 in D 25 in
Bertu Outdoor Bar, Vita Outdoor Bar, Glass and Mahogany, Modern
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu outdoor bar, vita outdoor bar, glass and mahogany, modern This outdoor standalone modern vita bar is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. This modern bar has soft glide sliding doors complete with inside shelves for glasses, plates, alcohol, or anything else. The Sapele wood is suitable for outdoor conditions and finished with a commercial grade exterior finish. Finish options include natural, grey-wash, dark walnut, and ebony. The slatted bar top is also topped with a thick piece of 1/2" glass. This isn't just for outdoor use! A wonderful piece of indoors as well. This modern bar is perfect for all your entertaining needs. There isn't anything in the market quite like it. Custom sizing available. Designer Inspiration: "When designing, I like to think about how people will truly use the item in their daily lives. Some of the best memories made in my own home are when it's full of energy, which always includes good food and drink. The Vita bar is a wonderful addition to anyone who likes to entertain. This piece is a perfect combination of warm wood, a modern aesthetic and functionality. Cheers!" -Gretta Jones specs Period/Model: New; Modern Specs: Mahogany, Natural Commercial Grade Exterior Finish Customizable: Yes! It's what we do :) dimensions H: 39.5" W: 60" D: 25" care Our furniture is solid wood, not veneer, and it requires special care. Please care for it! We recommend outdoor covers when pieces are not being used, especially in extreme weather. Outdoor covers are available through Bertu Home...
Mahogany, Glass
Sold
H 13.25 in W 24 in D 13 in
Mid-Century Verner Panton Pantonova Wire Cube for Fritz Hansen (Two Left)
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rare Mid-Century Verner Panton Pantonova wire cube for Fritz Hansen. They can be used as a stool or side table. Multiples can be configured into a ...
Steel, Chrome
Pantonova Shelf by Verner Panton for Fritz Hanses, 1970s
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Quarrata, IT
Pantonova Shelf by Verner Panton for Fritz Hanses, 1970s
Steel
Sold
H 18.51 in W 26.38 in D 26.38 in
Verner Panton Bar Cabinets Model Studioline by France & Son in Denmark
By Verner Panton
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of bar cabinets model Studioline designed by Verner Panton. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Brass
Black Original Barboy by Verner Panton for A. Sommer, 1963
By Verner Panton
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
Verner Panton designed the barboy in 1963. This barboy of black lacquered moulded laminated wood has four chrome casters. The four-part cylindrical body has two swing-out sections ...
Wood
Mid-Century Verner Panton Pantonova Wire Cube for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rare Mid-Century Verner Panton Pantonova wire cube for Fritz Hansen. They can be used as a stool or side table. Multiples can be stacked as a wall ...
Metal
Verner Panton VP-Rack Display Rack News Rack by Fritz Hansen, Denmark
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Vienna, AT
A chrome-plated VP-rack display stand with 6 shelves, designed in 1973 by Verner Panton, executed in the 1990s by Fritz Hansen, Denmark (discontinued). To use as a display rack oder ...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 16.93 in W 26.78 in D 26.78 in
Verner Panton Cubic Bar Table with Brass Pull's by France & Son Denmark
By Verner Panton
Located in Utrecht, NL
Wonderful 1961 Studio Line cubic bar by Verner Panton for France & Son with brass hinges and pull-handle's and removable sliding serving tray in bright ash above storage room. The c...
Brass