Four First Edition Ant Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
View Similar Items
Four First Edition Ant Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
About the Item
- Creator:Arne Jacobsen (Designer),Fritz Hansen (Maker)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 20.48 in (52 cm)Length: 29.14 in (74 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1955
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Little Burstead, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2100317044791
Ant Chair
For almost anybody else in the early 1950s, designing a three-legged chair inspired by the shape of an ant with its head raised would be unthinkable. But Arne Jacobsen (1902–71), the modernist Danish designer and architect, was always ahead of his time. His Ant chair is part of his legacy of designing avant-garde, unusual and revolutionary chairs like the Egg, the Swan and the Drop.
As a child, Jacobsen covered the Victorian wallpaper in his bedroom with white paint, the beginning of a lifetime of pioneering new ideas in design and architecture. Soon after graduating from the School of Architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Jacobsen set up his own practice, through which he could further his ideal of “total design.” This meant that for the architecture projects he undertook — such as the revered SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen — he was involved in the design of everything down to the last detail: from the exterior structure to the door handles to the carpets.
Over time, this attention to detail evolved into a pursuit of perfect proportions, a quality that is most prominent in his organic furniture pieces like the Ant chair. Originally called the Model 3100 and designed for the cafeteria of Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, the spare Ant chair (Myren in Danish) was inspired by plywood furniture crafted by American designers Charles and Ray Eames. Assisted by his then-apprentice Verner Panton, who would apply what he learned at Jacobsen’s practice to his own Cone chair and more, Jacobsen applied the Eameses’ groundbreaking ideas to the construction of his two-piece Ant chair — a seat and backrest made from a single piece of molded plywood supported by tubular metal legs. While the chair’s silhouette was unusual for the time, so too were its three legs. But Jacobsen insisted that in order for the chair to be functional and stackable — also uncommon in the 1950s — it couldn’t be any other way.
“I based my work on a need. What chairs are needed?” asked Jacobsen. In working toward his mission of creating functional furniture, Jacobsen inadvertently also created some of the most imaginative designs of the 20th century. The Ant chair is one of his most well-known designs.
Jacobsen’s longtime collaborator, Fritz Hansen, introduced the three-legged Ant chair as stipulated in 1952, despite complaints about its instability, and only introduced a four-legged version after Jacobsen’s death. It’s still manufactured today by Fritz Hansen and is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and elsewhere.
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.
- 'Ant' Table Model 3601 by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThis is an excellent. untouched original example of this drop leaf dining table designed by Arne Jacobsen, the top has a wonderful patina, and the Rosewood has nicely and evenly faded to a really lovely mellow color. It is 60 mcm wide with no flaps up, then with one flap is 100cm, then fully open is 140cm. The Rosewood used...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Arne Jacobsen Teak Model 3600 Circular Dining Table for Fritz HansenBy Heal's, Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThis is an early original version, designed by Arne Jacobsen and Made by Fritz Hansen, and retaining it;s original Ivorine Retailers label from Heal's of Tottenham Court Road London.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Set of 4 Rare Hardwood Chairs by Ole Knudsen & Torben Lind for France and SonBy Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben LindLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThese are a beautifully crafted set of four chairs in classically Scandinavian Modern style. Designed in 1957 and produce by one of Denmark's most active manufacturers of that time, France and Sons. The quality of the design is matched by the fine workmanship in the making of these chairs, which very rarely come to the market. Wooden parts totally original, and freshly upholstered to comply with current fire safety...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsHardwood
- Set of 4 Teak Model 42 Armchairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schou AndersenBy Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen MøbelfabrikLocated in Little Burstead, EssexA very nice set of 4 classic Scandinavian Modern Teak Model 42 armchairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen, with fresh black leatherette seats and backs.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Teak
- CH07 Shell Chair by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & SonBy Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Little Burstead, EssexWhen Hans J. Wegner designed this chair in 1963 it was a little too radical for the public and it was sold in very low numbers, and because of this when the world became aware of the...Category
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak, Walnut, Plywood
- Teak Desk by Severin Hansen for HaslevBy Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Severin HansenLocated in Little Burstead, EssexA beautiful example of this classic Scandinavian Modern design, a great example of form and function. This is the more desireable 4 drawer version, and is in great condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Set of Four Original 3100 'Ant' Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Dronten, NL1995 set of 4 Arne Jacobsens iconic Model 3100 "Ant" chair. The Ant chair’s visual expression is delicate and artful, much like the curves of a musical i...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Set of four early ‘Ant’ chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1951By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Antwerp, BESet of four early ‘Ant’ chairs designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1951. This is Model No. 3100 and features teak seats and a tubular steel frames. Presented in a ver...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Six Early Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Three-Legged Ant ChairsBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Pawtucket, RISet of six teak early three-legged Jacobsen Ant chairs manufactured by Fritz Hansen. See other listing for table. Signed.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Series 7 Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Brooklyn, NYIconic, Scandinavian Modern, Series 7, model 3107 chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen. Perfect for dining or office/desk use. 6 stackable chairs ...Category
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Expertly Restored - Arne Jacobsen "Ant" Model-3100 Teak Chair for Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Los Angeles, CAArne Jacobsen "Ant" Model-3100 teak chair for Fritz Hansen. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history b...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- 3107 Chair By Arne Jacobsen For Fritz Hansen, 1960sBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Bunnik, NL3107 chair designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, teak veneer. This chair is also called the butterfly chair because of this unique shape. The chair has been renovated and oiled...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak