Pair of Ib Kofod-Larsen Penguin Chairs Christensen & Larsen, 1950s, Denmark
View Similar Items
Pair of Ib Kofod-Larsen Penguin Chairs Christensen & Larsen, 1950s, Denmark
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 21.66 in (55 cm)Depth: 22.84 in (58 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good fully restored condition with new upholstery, black enamelled metal frames and refurbished plywood.
- Seller Location:bergen op zoom, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU93015951803
Ib Kofod-Larsen
Furniture maker and architect Ib Kofod-Larsen was one of the greatest design minds to emerge from mid-century Denmark, and his impact was felt across the world, especially in the United States. Kofod-Larsen, who is known for his exemplary seating, tables and storage solutions, understood that the attention to detail, quality materials and functional design ethos of the Scandinavian modernism style he followed would become part of a major international movement.
Due to his foresight and innovation, Kofod-Larsen was one of the best-selling Danish designers in the U.S. in the 1950s, when mid-century modernism was at its most popular.
Originally trained as a cabinetmaker, Kofod-Larsen later studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and was most interested in designing practical yet graceful furniture, although he also dabbled in things like wallpaper and textiles. He favored natural grains and woods like teak and rosewood combined with leather, steel and fabric upholsteries to create inviting pieces. Working with manufacturers such as Faarup Møbelfabrik, Christensen & Larsen and Bovenkamp, he brought his sculptural aesthetic to the world.
Some of his seating designs have earned legendary status: The U-56 chair (1956) was renamed the Elizabeth because England’s Queen Elizabeth II is said to have picked up a pair during a 1958 trip to Denmark. With OPE Möbler, he created the Seal chair (1956) with a wooden frame shaped around leather upholstery. The sculptural Penguin chair (1953), produced by Selig and named for its curved back, became Denmark’s most frequently exported piece of furniture to the U.S. at the time. Its bentwood shell echoes the work of Kofod-Larsen’s modernist contemporaries Eero Saarinen and Charles and Ray Eames, while its options as a dining, lounging and rocking chair offer versatility for the home.
As mid-century modern furniture experiences a fresh wave of popularity in the U.S. — although, one could argue that it never really went away — Kofod-Larsen’s timeless pieces are among the most coveted vintage finds. Several of his designs continue to be produced, such as the Penguin chair, which has been manufactured by Brdr. Petersen since 2012.
Find vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen furniture today on 1stDibs.
Selig
As an importer and producer, the Selig furniture company helped popularize timeless and elegant postwar designs in the United States.
Selig created Danish-inspired chairs, sofas and other furnishings for the home that were cutting-edge, contemporary and airy. The brand was also among the first to introduce Scandinavian and European modern styles to Americans in the 1950s and 60s. The company imported and manufactured furniture known for its extraordinary design and style using high-quality, enduring and seductive materials.
Selig was founded in 1931 by Mandell Selig and Samuel Wexler. The pair started the business during the challenging economic times of the Great Depression prior to World War II. By the 1960s, under the leadership of Wexler's son, Robert, Selig peaked with manufacturing factories in five American cities.
Selig’s importing business had a meaningful impact on Italian furniture manufacturers. Wexler, the junior, had a hand in advancing and growing the manufacturing sector of the country’s Udine region. Due to this contribution, the Italian government saw fit to knight Robert Wexler with the title of “Cavaliere.”
After nearly four decades of influencing seating and lounging preferences in the United States with sophisticated mid-century modern and Scandinavian modern furniture — including its own chrome rocking chairs and leather club chairs — Selig sold to Simmons, the mattress company, in 1970, thus dissolving. Much of what they produced and imported is still available despite no longer being manufactured, and many collectors seek original Selig furniture.
On 1stDibs, find an array of vintage Selig furniture that includes lounge chairs, armchairs, tables and more.
- Pair of Danish Teak 1950s Lounge Chairs Bovenkamp The Netherlands New UpholsteryBy BovenkampLocated in bergen op zoom, NLGreat pair of new upholstered Danish lounge chairs marked Bovenkamp Bovenkamp was a Dutch based company that imported Danish furniture by famous designers like Aksel Bender Madese...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of New Upholstered Lounge Chairs by Theo Ruth for Artifort 1950'sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in bergen op zoom, NLPair of nicely curved wingback chairs in a senior and lady version by Dutch designer Their Ruth for Artifort manufactured in the 1950's Photo's of the complete classic reupholstery proces are featured in this listing showing the craftsmanship we put back in to restore these chairs as if they where made in the 1950's The Wool Boucle fabric is 'Monza' by Dutch manufacturer De Ploeg These chairs are made of solid Birch wood frames and a classic steel spring & stepped grass & cotton interior and will last another lifetime The sizes listed are for the senior version The lady chair...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Super Rare Pair of Pieter De Bruyne Leather Lounge Chairs, Arflex, Italy, 1960By Pieter De BruyneLocated in bergen op zoom, NLStunning pair of leather and nickel-plated steel lounge chairs designed in 1960 by Belgian architect and design visionary Pieter De Bruyne (1931-1987) for Arflex Italy and in production from 1961...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Artifort F165 Lounge Chairs with New Ploeg Wool Upholstery, circa 1955By ArtifortLocated in bergen op zoom, NLPair of beautiful restored lounge chairs by Artifort The Netherlands produced, circa 1955. These top quality lounge chairs have been fully restored with respect to the original wa...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Nickel
- Solid 1950s Carved Teak Danish High back Chair with New De Ploeg Wool UpholsteryBy Finn JuhlLocated in bergen op zoom, NLDanish high back chair with beautiful organic carved armrests in solid teak The chair has been re-upholstered with De Ploeg wool mint green/grey melange wool fabric.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Upholstery, Teak
- Pair First Edition "Big Tulip" Lounge Chairs F551 by Pierre Paulin Artifort 1959By Artifort, Pierre PaulinLocated in bergen op zoom, NLVery rare pair of the first edition of the "Big Tulip" chair, model F551 Just Married! Designed by French designer Pierre Paulin in 1959 for Artifort, The Netherlands Reuph...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Nickel
- Penguin Chair by Ib Kofod LarsenBy Ib Kofod-LarsenLocated in Brooklyn, NYClassic Penguin chair designed by Ib Kofod Larsen and produced by Selig. Gorgeous molded birch upper shell provides contoured support with original upholstered seat atop black iron f...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Mid-Century Modern Danish IB Kofod Larsen for Selig Penguin Accent ChairBy Ib Kofod-Larsen, SeligLocated in Wilmington, DEWhat a find. Offered is an original 'Penguin' chair designed by IB Kofod Larsen for Selig. This chair was designed in 1953 and had a limited production through the 1960s. This chair ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- IB Kofod Larsen lounge chair Christensen & Larsen Denmark 1953By Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-LarsenLocated in Etten-Leur, NLStunning lounge chair designed by IB Kofod Larsen for Christensen & Larsen, Denmark 1953. This beautiful shaped and well-crafted chair has a solid teak wood frame and is newly uphols...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Teak
- Vintage Mid-Century Modern IB Kofod Larsen for Selig Penguin Accent ChairBy Ib Kofod-Larsen, SeligLocated in Wilmington, DEWhat a find. Offered is an original 'Penguin' chair designed by IB Kofod Larsen for Selig. This piece was designed in 1953 and had a limited production through the 1960s. This chair ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Ib Kofod-Larsen Penguin chair for Christiansen and Larsen Denmark 1955By Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-LarsenLocated in Ferndale, MIIb Kofod-Larsen design Chair produced by Christiansen & Larsen . Designed in the early 1950s by Kofod Larsen and manufactured by Christensen & Larsen A/...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Rare Scandinavian Modern shell chair by IB Kofod Larsen, Denmark, 1950sBy Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-LarsenLocated in Eskilstuna, SEBeautiful and rare shell chair designed by IB Kofod Larsen for Christensen & Larsen in Denmark during the 1950s.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSheepskin