Danish "Pragh" Armchair with Footstool by Madsen & Schubell
View Similar Items
Danish "Pragh" Armchair with Footstool by Madsen & Schubell
About the Item
- Creator:Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 41 in (104.14 cm)Width: 31 in (78.74 cm)Length: 41 in (104.14 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1954
- Condition:Chair frames are in good condition, upholstery is vintage, but is in usable condition.
- Seller Location:Hudson, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: M1141711stDibs: LU81119558523
Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
The history of Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell originates with Henry Hans Schubell and Arnold Madsen, a powerhouse duo in Danish furniture design throughout the mid-20th century. The pair collaborated with Dutch company Bovenkamp on a range of furnishings and created memorable lounge chairs, stools and other seating throughout the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s — such as the iconic Clam chair — that represent the finest of Scandinavian modern design.
Born in 1906, Schubell was an apprentice cabinetmaker turned foreman by his early 20s. As a supervisor for cabinetmakers Winter and Winding, Schubell oversaw furniture production in their workshop until the mid-1940s.
In 1944, a skilled upholster by the name of Arnold Madsen requested assistance from a cabinetmaker to make a prototype lounge chair based on a plaster model he’d made. Accepting the challenge, Schubell impressed Madsen to the point that he suggested they enter into a partnership. The Clam chair was their first collaboration as Madsen & Schubell.
According to Aaron FitzGerald, of Dagmar gallery, Madsen’s Clam chair is “one of the most sought-after and simultaneously misattributed and copied chair designs of the twentieth century.” In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen.
In the backyard of a modest home in Copenhagen, Schubell built wooden frames which Madsen then upholstered. They sold their finished products to dealers under their joint name, earning enough money to move production to a factory outside the city. Some models were under license by Norwegian company Vik & Blindheim while others were manufactured by Bovenkamp in the Netherlands. The pair’s partnership ended in 1963 in order for the designers to establish separate companies. Madsen opened a new upholstery firm with his son, Ib Madsen, under the name Madsen og Schubell, and Schubell continued to build frames for Madsen as Schubell & Son.
Vintage Madsen & Schubell chairs offer sturdy build quality and the kind of superior upholstery that is typical among mid-century Scandinavian furniture. Working with a range of woods including teak, rosewood and birch, Madsen & Schubell accented natural wood grains with soft lambswool and sheepskin for a variety of comfortable seating.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating.
- Madsen & Schubell Pragh Stool, Denmark, 1950sBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in London, GBA wonderful, original Pragh footstool by Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell, Denmark 1950s. Newly upholstered in a premium bespoke pure Alpaca wool fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
MaterialsAlpaca, Beech
- 1970s, Danish Design by Madsen & Schubell, Swivel Armchair, Footstool, WoolBy Madsen & SchubellLocated in Tarm, 82Original Danish design by Madsen & Schubell from about 1970s, swivel armchair and footstool, loose cushions. Adjustable tilt. Beige, brown furniture wo...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- “Clam” Chair by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, Denmark, 1944By Arnold Madsen, Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Utrecht, NLThis “Clam” chair has a beloved design thanks to which it is considered by many as one of the most attractive chairs of Nordic Design. At the same time, this chair is arguably also the most mysterious piece on the Danish furniture market. The model has a rather perplexing history, and has been attributed to several designers before, the latest being the Danish architect Phillip Arctander. However, recent research revealed that the “Clam” is the model that in fact started the story of Madsen & Schubell. Arnold Madsen designed this model in 1944 in his small basement workshop in Gothersgade, Copenhagen. This chair has a characteristic organic shape with soft curves, perched on club-shaped beech legs. The name comes from the shape of the seat and back that together form the silhouette of an open clam. The round armrests compliment the overall round feel of the chair. The seat is slightly raised towards the front, while the back is tilted to provide great sitting comfort. The seat and back are covered in light sheepskin, adding to the soft and cosy feel of this “Clam”. Interestingly, Hans Schubell invented the special connecting piece of this chair, formed from only one piece of wood. The rest of the seat and backrest were glued to this single piece. In 1944, the chair was already exhibited in conjunction with the presentation of the newly opened furniture store NY FORM A/S in Copenhagen, which sold the leading design of the day. In 1945, the Clam went into serial production as the first model of the new furniture company Madsen & Schubell and many well-known stores soon included Madsen & Schubell in their product range. Illums Bolighus was one of them, as were the Messen department store and the Copenhagen furniture store Nordisk Staal-og-Møbel Central. In 1953, Madsen & Schubell sold the licence of the chair to the Norwegian company Vik and Blindheim. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in light sheepskin. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 26.38 in W x 33.27 in D x 32.28 in H; Seat height 14.96 in; Arm height 22.64 in 67 cm W x 84.5 cm D x 82 cm H; Seat height 38 cm; Arm height 57.5 cm About the designer: Henry Hans Schubell...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Wood
- Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Ib Madsen for Madsen & SchübellBy Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Ib MadsenLocated in Los Angeles, CALounge chair with ottoman by Ib Madsen for Madsen & Schübell, Denmark, circa 1950s. The chair and ottoman retain original black leather upholstery and feature multiple settings for c...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Danish Mid-Century Stool Model Pragh by Madsen & Schubell, 1950s.By Madsen & Schubell, Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Asaa, DKDanish Mid-Century Stool Model Pragh by Madsen & Schubell, 1950s. Ottoman or foot stool designed by Dansih architects Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell and manufactured in their own works...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsFaux Leather, Beech
- Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell Pragh Ottoman in MohairBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Oakland, CAScandinavian ottoman by Danish designer, Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell circa 1955 Denmark. The ottoman is crafted of solid stained oak with sculpted...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
MaterialsMohair, Oak
