Swan Swivel Arm Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
View Similar Items
Swan Swivel Arm Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
About the Item
- Creator:Arne Jacobsen (Designer),Fritz Hansen (Manufacturer)
- Design:Swan ChairSwan Series
- Dimensions:Height: 31.25 in (79.38 cm)Width: 28.75 in (73.03 cm)Depth: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and light use. Slight patina to metal built up over time.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU133027154033
Swan Chair
In 1958, during the golden age of air travel, Scandinavian Airline Systems tapped Arne Jacobsen (1902–71), then a notable architect both in his native Denmark and beyond, to design its SAS Royal Hotel. The 22-story building would become Copenhagen’s first skyscraper, and its interiors constitute a monument to modern design and mid-century air travel. The project became a crowning achievement for Jacobsen, who, in conceiving its architecture, interiors and furnishings — which included the elegant Swan chair — had the opportunity to produce a widely visited Gesamtkunstwerk, or “total work of art.”
As a meeting place in one of SAS’s hub cities, the hotel was, by nature, a bustling place. Jacobsen factored that into the design, creating several spaces for activities ranging from business tête-à-têtes to preflight cocktails. The Swan chair was set on a swivel base, an important attribute that offered guests the ability to become mobile participants in the hotel’s buzzy lobby, lounges and elsewhere.
When it debuted, the Swan — as well as the equally celebrated Egg chair, also created for the SAS Royal Hotel — represented a daring departure from the traditional notion of a chair. With nary a back slat or a linear armrest in sight, the curvaceous shape exemplified Jacobsen’s innovative approach. The seat, as well as its accompanying sofa, was produced by Danish manufacturer Fritz Hansen, with which Jacobsen enjoyed a long partnership. Fritz Hansen continues to produce the Swan chair today.
Despite its popularity and Jacobsen’s close relationship with American designers Charles and Ray Eames, who are considered pioneers of easily replicable furniture, the Swan is not ideal for autonomous mass production: The seat of each chair is hand-sewn by an upholsterer to carefully adhere to its shapely curves before being attached to the base, which is made of polished aluminum.
Decades later, the Swan chair continues to be a fixture in modern interiors, with its seat offered in over 30 upholstery options. In 2018, on the hotel’s 60th anniversary, Danish design firm Space Copenhagen undertook an expansive redesign of the SAS Royal Hotel, now known as the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel. Jacobsen’s Swan chair, Egg chair and Drop chair feature prominently throughout the hotel’s lobby and guest rooms, paired with more contemporary furnishings and bespoke interior detailing for a new jet-set era.
Arne Jacobsen
The eye-catching work of the Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen often introduces new collectors to mid-20th century furniture. With their fluid lines and sculptural presence, Jacobsen’s signature pieces — the elegant Swan chair and the cozy-yet-cutting edge Egg chair, both first presented in 1958 — are iconic representations of both the striking aesthetic of the designers of the era and their concomitant attention to practicality and comfort. Jacobsen designed furniture that had both gravitas and groove.
Though Jacobsen is a paragon of Danish modernism, his approach to design was the least “Danish” of those who are counted as his peers. The designs of Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Børge Mogensen and others grew out of their studies as cabinetmakers. They prized skilled craftsmanship and their primary material was carved, turned and joined wood. Jacobsen was first and foremost an architect, and while he shared his colleagues’ devotion to quality of construction, he was far more open to other materials such as metal and fiberglass.
Many of Jacobsen’s best-known pieces had their origin in architectural commissions. His molded-plywood, three-legged Ant chair (1952) was first designed for the cafeteria of a pharmaceutical company headquarters. The tall-backed Oxford chair was made for the use of dons at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford, whose Jacobsen-designed campus opened in 1962 (while still under construction). The Swan, Egg and Drop chairs and the AJ desk lamp were all created as part of Jacobsen’s plan for the SAS Royal Copenhagen Hotel, which opened in 1960. (The hotel has since been redecorated, but one guest room has been preserved with all-Jacobsen accoutrements.)
To Jacobsen’s mind, the chief merit of any design was practicality. He designed the first stainless-steel cutlery set made by the Danish silver company Georg Jensen; Jacobsen’s best-selling chair — the plywood Series 7 — was created to provide lightweight, stackable seating for modern eat-in kitchens. But as you will see from the objects on 1stDibs, style never took a backseat to function in Arne Jacobsen’s work. His work merits a place in any modern design collection.
Find authentic Arne Jacobsen chairs, tables, sofas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Egg Chair by Arne Jacobson for Fritz Hansen in Blue Leather, SignedBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Los Angeles, CAA fantastic signed example egg chair by Arne Jacobson for Fritz Hansen in a custom commissioned electrifying blue high-grade leather with in...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
$6,999 Sale Price36% Off - Emerald Green 'Big' by Guido Faleschini for Mariani Leather Executive Desk ChairBy i4 Mariani, Pace Collection, Guido FaleschiniLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis incredible executives chair is named 'Big', designed by Guido Faleschini by i4 Mariani originally designed in the 1970s, this example newly produced in a gorgeous emerald green ...Category
2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- 'Wall Street Big' by Guido Faleschini for Mariani Leather Executive Desk ChairBy i4 Mariani, Pace Collection, Guido FaleschiniLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis incredible executives chair is named 'Big', designed by Guido Faleschini by i4 Mariani originally designed in the 1970s, this example newly produced in a gorgeous burgundy leath...Category
2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- 'Big' by Guido Faleschini for i4Mariani Leather Executive Desk Chair, Italy, NewBy i4 Mariani, Pace Collection, Guido FaleschiniLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis incredible executives chair is named 'Big', designed by Guido Faleschini by i4 Mariani originally designed in the 1970s, this example newly produced in a gorgeous pop color oran...Category
2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- 'Big' by Guido Faleschini for i4Mariani Leather Executive Desk Chair, Italy, NewBy i4 Mariani, Pace Collection, Guido FaleschiniLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis incredible executives chair is named 'Big', designed by Guido Faleschini by i4 Mariani originally designed in the 1970s, this example newly produced in gorgeous black leather an...Category
2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
$5,760 Sale Price20% Off - Mario Bellini Post-Modern Executive Desk Chair for Vitra, Signed and Dated 1992By Vitra, Mario BelliniLocated in Los Angeles, CAA spectacular set of Mario Bellini signed desk chairs for the Vitra, dated 1992 production. This Post Modern set of task chairs feature soft and supple black leather in excellent condition, five star height adjustable bases on casters, and are extremely comfortable. *Note, 6 are available at the time of this listing, priced individually. We also have a 7th highback chair available as well in another listing. The black on black color combination of this set makes it perfect for Post-Modern interiors which are on-trend with upcoming design projects led by many of the worlds top interior designers. These design masterpieces are rare and hard to find, especially here in the United States, so interior designers: get this before your competition does! These Mario Bellini for Vitra leather...Category
1990s Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Plastic
- Oxford Desk Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn "Oxford" arm chair in white leather upholstery with a high back and a cast aluminum 5 point base with casters. Height adjustable +/- 5".Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Danish Modern High Back Swivel Oxford chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Belmont, MAArne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 'Oxford' high backed desk chair, aluminum, wood, fabric upholstery, United Kingdom, design 1965, recent production. The original version of the 'Oxfo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
$1,050 Sale Price30% Off - 1960s Arne Jacobsen Butterfly Auditorium Chairs by Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Knebel, DKRare auditorium version of the Iconic chair model 3107 / butterfly from the 7 series designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen, Denmark in the 1960s. The seats of ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Chair model 3117 by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1950sBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Lasne, BEWood and metal office chair. Rotates on itself and height adjustable. Maximum height: 87 cm, maximum seat height: 55 cm. Stamped on the und...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Oxford Midcentury Black Leather Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1960sBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITSet of two scandinavian midcentury modern design swivel “Oxford” office chairs designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz Hansen with black le...Category
Antique 1660s Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen "Swan"Chair 2005By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Amsterdam, NLThis model 3320 or "Swan" swivel lounge chair was designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1958 and is still a design icon. This one is manufactured in 2005, it is marked in the foot and with a ...Category
Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal