Scandinavian Chairs
to
221
2,469
965
1,958
1,469
45
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
2,293
1,788
1,231
1,612
1,181
1,460
1,152
1,377
1,142
1,246
1,129
1,338
1,143
936
308
31
30
20
19
12
7
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
92
142
1,724
1,514
57
1,250
240
8
2
17
55
52
257
548
144
43
37
2,790
1,036
873
827
818
21,205
6,533
3,548
3,472
3,001
3,472
2,297
2,516
331
191
146
96
79
Place of Origin: Scandinavian
Niels Møller 55 arm chair in teak with new black leather seat
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid Teak Moller 55 arm chair. This chair will work well as a desk chair or side chair. Designed in 1951 By Niels Otto Møller and produced by J. L. Møllers...
Category
1950s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
Spanish Chair by Borge Mogensen for Fredericia
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Made in Denmark. Oak wood frame with leather sling.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Danish Chair or stool by Georg Petersens for Mobelfabrik in Style of Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto, Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik
Located in London, GB
Single Mobelfabrik Stool by Georg Petersens – A Blend of Danish Craftsmanship and Timeless Design**
Introducing a single Mobelfabrik Danish chair or steam-bent stool designed by Geo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Beech
Set of 6 1970s Niels Koefoed Dining Chairs in Pine for Koefoed's Hornslet Denmar
By Niels Koefoed, Koefoeds Hornslet
Located in Basel, BS
Fantastic set of 6 very high quality, beautiful solid pine wood Danish designer Koefoed Hornslet chairs. The morten chair is very rare to find in pine. Excellent craftsmanship. Ver...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Pine
Pair of Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs "The Swedish Model"
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs " The Swedish Model." from Skelleftea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden.
Scraped by hand to the original color. Retouches are made...
Category
Late 18th Century Gustavian Antique Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Pine
Swedish Folk Art 'Spinning-Chair' late 19th century
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Folk Art 'Spinning-Chair' late 19th century
This chair was partially made from old spinning wheel parts.
Made out of pine, featuring old repairs and a beautiful patina.
Hei...
Category
Late 19th Century Folk Art Antique Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Pine
Contemporary Chair 'FF Swivel' Chrome, Barnum Fabric
By Friends & Founders
Located in Paris, IDF
The 'FF Swivel' chair designed by Ida L. Hildebrand for Friends & Founders
Model shown in main picture:
- Chrome Frame
- Barnum 10 Fabric
Upholstery available in a wide range of f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Steel
Skovby Møbelfabrik Set of Dining Chairs
By Skovby Møbelfabrik A/S 1
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Skovby Møbelfabrik set of four dining chairs in partly solid rosewood.
New upholstered with cognac aniline leather.
Made in the 1960s.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
'Hippo' Chair by Norr11, Light Smoked Oak, Barnum Bouclé col.24
By Norr11, Tommy Hyldahl, Kristian Sofus Hansen
Located in Paris, IDF
HIPPO Chair
Signed by Kristian Sofus Hansen and Tommy Hyldahl for Norr11.
Model shown on the picture:
Wood: Light Smoked Oak
Fabric: Barnum Bouclé 024
Wood types available: natura...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Wool, Oak
Arne Jacobsen Dining Chair, Model ''Syveren'' 3107, Mokka Aniline Leather
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Jacobsen dining chair new upholstered with Mokka aniline leather.
Base of chrome steel tube.
Model 3107 Syveren, made by Fritz Hansen.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather
Danish Set of Six Danish Sculptural Chairs in Blonde Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, beech, leatherette, Denmark, 1960s
Highly elegant chairs that would appear gracefully around one's dining or conference table. The sharp sculpted backrest...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Beech
Gloss White Panton S-Chair by Verner Panton / Herman Miller Fehlbaum Production
By Verner Panton, Herman Miller
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The S-chair by Verner Panton is one of the absolute stars of furniture pop art.
This is the original version of the Herman Miller Fehlbaum Production ...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Plastic
BM 3237 - Set of 6 ‘Hunting Chairs’ in oak by Børge Mogenesn
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in Copenhagen, DK
BM 3237 - Set of 6 ‘Hunting Chairs’ in oak and patinated full-grain leather. By Børge Mogensen, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Hans Wegner GE-525 Dining Chair, Oak
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner in 1970, the GE 525 dining chair offers a beautifully rounded design sculpted in wood. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Ge...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Oak
Danish Dining Chairs in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, teak, fabric, Denmark, 1960s
These well made Danish dining chairs have a convincing appearance and a construction typical for Danish style furniture in the 1960s, sho...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Hans Wegner 'CH23' Chair in Oak Soap & Natural Papercord for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Glendale, CA
Hans Wegner 'CH23' Chair in Oak Soap & Natural Papercord for Carl Hansen & Son
The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitm...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Papercord, Oak
Danish Dining Chairs in Teak and Beige Striped Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, teak, beech, fabric, Denmark, 1960s
These Danish dining chairs display a convincing aesthetic typical of the 1960s Danish furniture style, reminiscent of the work of ...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech, Teak
Hans J. Wegner Cushion for Wishbone Chair CH24
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner cushions for wishbone chair model CH24.
Made in mokka aniline leather and good quality foam.
Only the cushion, not the chair.
Category
2010s Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather
Arne Hovmand Olsen Black Leather Teak Chair
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Houston, TX
Arne Hovmand-Olsen dining chair, teak, black leather, Denmark, 1960s
Category
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Modern Antique Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
Danish Modern Lounge Chair in Oak & Traditional Danish Olmerdug Wool, 1950s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful large Danish Modern lounge chair hand made by a cabinetmaker in Denmark in the 1950s. Great dramatic angles and proportions with carved wooden armrests and legs made of sol...
Category
1950s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Wool, Oak
Set of 4 Post modern folding chairs by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea , 1980’s
By Niels Gammelgaard
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 40,5cmW, 45cmD, 43cm H seat, 86cm H total
Period: 1980’s
Condition: Good , Metal has corrosion and seats have scratches from use.
Material: Metal , plastic
Category
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Metal
Huge Birch Burl Wood Stump Chair
Located in Farsta, SE
Norwegian Birch Burch Stump Chair ca 1930s
Extremely big stump chair, one of a kind!
The weight and size of this Norwegian kubbestol are somethin...
Category
1930s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Birch
Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter
Designed by the forward-thinking Italian designer Joe Colombo, Chair 300 is a beautiful example of his functional design sensibility. Upholstered...
Category
2010s Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Hans Wegner Set 4 Beech Danish Cord Dining Chairs Carl Hansen & Søn
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Portland, OR
A set of four Mid Century Danish Modern CH36 beech and Danish cord dining chairs, designed by Hans Wegner in 1962 and produced by Carl Hansen ...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Papercord, Beech
Rare Verner Panton Wire Cone Chair, Model K2, First Year Production, 1959
By Verner Panton
Located in Kansas City, MO
This example is from the first year of production as noted by the rounded feet (later productions feature enlongated black feet). Chair retains original upholstery. Overall example h...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Steel
Easy Chair in Rosewood & Reupholstered in Kvadrat Fabric by Hans Wegner, 1950's
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy Chair in Rosewood & Reupholstered in Kvadrat™ Fabric by Hans Wegner, 1950's
Additional Information:
Material: Rosewood and newly reupholstered in Kvadrat™ fabric
Style: Mid cen...
Category
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Rosewood, Fabric
Hans Wegner 'CH23' Chair in Oak Oil & Natural Papercord for Carl Hansen & Son
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Glendale, CA
Hans Wegner 'CH23' Chair in Oak Oil & Natural Papercord for Carl Hansen & Son
The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitme...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Papercord, Oak
Pair of Hans J. Wegner CH30 Chairs, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stockholm, SE
New leather (natural) seats.
Listed price is for the pair. Produced in Denmark.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Teak
Rainer Daumiller Set of Six Dining Chairs in Darkened Pine
By Rainer Daumiller, Hirtshals Sawmill
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals Sawmill, set of six dining chairs, black lacquered pine, Denmark, 1970s
Beautiful, organic and natural dining chairs in solid pine designed by Rainer ...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Pine
Rustic Danish Chairs in Straw and Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, oak, straw wicker, Denmark, 1960s
This collection comprises an extensive array of rustic Danish church chairs, constructed from durable oak wood and characterized by...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Straw, Oak
Set of Ten 19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Chairs
Located in Huntington, NY
A rare and stunning set of ten Swedish Late Gustavian chairs made in Lindome. Rectangular back with leaf cut detailing on three sides. The top has a floral motif leading to a crown o...
Category
Early 19th Century Gustavian Antique Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Rare Early 20th Century Dentist Chair, ca 1930s
Located in Uppsala, SE
Rare early 20th century dentist / medical chair made in white painted wood with dark green leather upholstered seat and neck rest. The neck rest is height adjustable so it would accommodate both adults and children when in use. The seat also has a very modernist pattern made with upholsterers decor nails similar to that of German/Swedish designer Otto Schulz and what he used on his cabinets. The high back style of chair is also very much associated with the grand father of Scottish design Charles Rennie...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair Of Rare Oak Arm Chairs By Henning Kjaernulf, Denmark Circa 1970's
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Norwalk, CT
Embrace the essence of Danish modern design with this exceptional pair of 1970s oak armchairs by renowned designer Henry 'Henning' Kjærnulf. These chairs epitomize Kjærnulf's signatu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brutalist Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Oak
Set Of Six Seven Chairs Model 3107 By Arne Jacobsen For Fritz Hansen
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Exquisite Set of 6 Model 3107 Chairs by Arne Jacobsen For Fritz Hansen, now beautifully reimagined with new upholstery in black elegance leather.
These iconic chairs, born from the ...
Category
2010s Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Hans Wegner 'CH22' Chair in Black Painted Oak for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Glendale, CA
Hans Wegner 'CH22' Chair in Black Painted Oak for Carl Hansen & Son
The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitment to beau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Papercord, Oak
Verner Panton 'System 1-2-3' Standard Dining Chair in Fabric for Verpan
By Verner Panton, Verpan
Located in Glendale, CA
Verner Panton 'system 1-2-3' standard dining chair in fabric for Verpan
Verner Panton was one of Denmark's most legendary modern furniture a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
Hans J. Wegner Cushion for Wishbone Chair CH24
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner cushions for wishbone chair model CH24.
Made in cognac pure aniline leather and good quality foam.
Only the cushion, not the chair.
Category
2010s Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art chair in it's original condition. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Folk Art Antique Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Pine
Niels O Moller Model 62 Carver Chair, JL Moller, Denmark, 1960s
By J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik, Niels Otto Møller
Located in LEWES, GB
A Niels O Moller model 62 carver chair in East Indian Rosewood, produced by JL Moller, Denmark. In good structural condition with one minor restor...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Easy Chairs in Teak and Leather by Ib Kofod-Larsen, 1950s
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Easy Chairs in Teak and Leather by Ib Kofod-Larsen, 1950s
Additional Information:
Material: Teak and original cognac brown leather
Style: midcentury, Scandinavian
Rare ...
Category
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Teak
Arne Jacobsen Dining Chair
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Jacobsen dining chair new upholstered with cognac vintage aniline leather.
Base of chrome steel tube.
Model 3107 Syveren, made by Fritz Hansen.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather
Danish Modern Side Chair Custom Made by Mills, Denmark
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in New York, NY
Classic architectural side chair from the Golden Age of Danish Modern furniture design. This example is in very good, original condition, show...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Wood, Bentwood
Pair Swedish Modern Easy Chairs, 1940s
By Gösta Jonsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent condition. Newly reupholstered in honey colored sheepskin.
Category
1940s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Set of Six Chairs Solid Beechwood by Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals, 1970s
By Rainer Daumiller, Hirtshals Sawmill
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful set of six very sculptural dining room chairs in beeche wood by Swedish architect and designer Rainer Daumiller, manufactured by Hirtshalls Sawmills.
The beech variant is...
Category
1970s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Beech
Stockholm, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture.
STOCKHOLM, This Gustavian style armchair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Gustavian Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Beech
Tokyo, Armchair by Carl-Axel Acking for NK, Sweden
By Carl-Axel Acking, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Goteborg, SE
This stylish chair was designed by the Carl-Axel Acking for the Swedish Embassy in Tokyo in 1959. This piece is in solid teak and natural leather.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
'Hippo' Bar Chair 65 by Norr11, Black Oak, Barnum Bouclé col.3
By Kristian Sofus Hansen, Tommy Hyldahl, Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
HIPPO Bar Chair
Signed by Kristian Sofus Hansen and Tommy Hyldahl for Norr11.
Model shown on the picture:
Wood: Black Oak
Fabric: Barnum Bouclé 03
Wood ty...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Wool, Oak
Set of Six Classic Chairs by Hans Wegner Johannes Hansen, Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great set of six (6) Hans Wegner JH-501 classic chairs. Teak and cane. Restored and recaned.
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Cane, Teak
Erik Buch Armchair
By Odense Maskinsnedkeri, Erik Buch
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Erik Buch armchair frame of oak.
New upholstered with vintage tan aniline leather.
Model 50 made by Odense Maskinsnedkeri, Denmark.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Chair with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish Rococo chair from Stockholm,
Southern Sweden.
A fantastic chair with nice proportions & curvy legs
It comes from the upper class environment.
Scraped by ha...
Category
18th Century Rococo Antique Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Pine
Bodil Kjær Principal Dining Wood Chair by Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Bodil Kjær in 1959.
One of the last living mid-century Scandinavian design pioneers and a female pioneer in the field of architecture in her time, Bodil Kjær, con...
Category
2010s Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Contemporary Chair 'FF 4-Legs' Black Dakar Leather, Chrome Legs
By Friends & Founders
Located in Paris, IDF
Dining chair 'FF' 4-Legs designed by Ida L. Hildebrand for Friends & Founders
Dimensions:
H. 75 / W. 55 / D. 55 cm
H. 29.53" / W. 21.65" / D. 21.65"
Model shown on main picture:
Fa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Steel
Lounge Chair in Metal and Sheepskin by Hans Wegner, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare lounge chair / flag halyard chair designed by Hans Wegner
Produced by GETAMA in Denmark
Metal, flagline, sheepskin, cushion
1960s
Good vintage condition, with signs of usage...
Category
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Set of Eight Hans Wegner CH 30 Dining Chairs
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of eight Hans Wegner CH-30 dining chairs produced by Carl Hansen.
Category
1950s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Oak, Teak
Arne Jacobsen Dining Chair, Model ''Syveren'' 3107, Mokka Aniline Leather
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Jacobsen dining chair new upholstered with Mokka aniline leather.
Base of powder coated steel tube.
Model 3107 Syveren, made by Fritz Hansen.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Leather
Set of 8 Dining Chairs in Rosewood and Original Fabric, 1960's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 8 Dining Chairs in Rosewood and Original Fabric, 1960's
Additional Information:
Material: Rosewood and original fabric
Style: Mid century, Scandinavian
Produced in Denmark
Di...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Rosewood, Fabric
Scandinavian Blue Painted Chair
Located in New York, NY
Scandinavian blue painted chair. Vintage blue painted wood side chair with shaped back perfect in the bath. Sweden, first quarter 20th century.
Di...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Wood
Rustic Danish Chairs in Straw and Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, oak, straw wicker, Denmark, 1960s
A pair of rustic Danish church chairs, constructed from durable oak wood and characterized by their distinctive straw seats. Notabl...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Straw, Oak
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Kaleidoscopic Upholstery Makes This Edward Wormley Chair a Showstopper
What at first glance seems an unusual choice jibes perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
How to Reupholster a Chair
Want to update an old chair that still has good bones? We spoke to experts to find out how they approach reupholstering antique furniture.
How to Spot Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI Chairs
A field guide for anyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of French antiques
The Ball Chair, Eero Aarnio’s Space Age Masterpiece, Was Almost Never Made
Now considered emblematic of 1960s mod aesthetics, the Finnish designer's famous creation was far from an overnight success.