Grete Jalk Teak Sofa and Armchair Mid-Century, Denmark, Circa 1960
View Similar Items
Grete Jalk Teak Sofa and Armchair Mid-Century, Denmark, Circa 1960
About the Item
- Creator:Grete Jalk (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 72 in (182.88 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960-1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Ottawa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU141726412233
Grete Jalk
What would the reputation of mid-century Danish furniture be without legendary female designer Grete Jalk? A pioneer of Scandinavian modernism, Jalk sought to craft furniture that was both cost-efficient and high in quality, each piece made for the evolving interiors and design sensibilities of the day. She continues to be celebrated for her sleek and minimal armchairs, lounge chairs, coffee tables and more.
Jalk was born in 1920 in Copenhagen. She studied at the Drawing and Applied Art School for Women before enrolling at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where famed designer Kaare Klint was among her instructors. Jalk completed her studies in 1946 and began a cabinetmaker apprenticeship. That same year, she won an award at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild competition. Jalk also participated in the 1951 Milan Triennial exhibition, where her designs earned more acclaim and attention.
In 1954, Jalk opened her own design studio and began working with major Danish furniture manufacturers like Fritz Hansen and Glostrup Møbelfabrik. She found inspiration in plywood experiments carried out by Alvar Aalto and Ray and Charles Eames, and she quickly became known for her pared-back, expressive designs, which touted fluid forms and were made of alluring woods such as teak and rosewood.
Jalk’s best-known work is the 1963 GJ chair, a collaboration with cabinetmaker Poul Jeppesen that won first place in the Daily Mail International Furniture Competition. Made of two pieces of molded teak plywood, the sculptural GJ lounge chair is part of the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While creating her iconic furniture designs, Jalk wore many other hats. She taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and served as an editor of the Danish design magazine Mobilia from 1956–62 and 1968–74. In 1974, Jalk curated a traveling design exhibition for the Danish Foreign Ministry and was named a member of the Danish Design Council in 1981. She was also the editor of 40 Years of Danish Furniture Design: The Copenhagen Cabinet-makers' Guild Exhibitions 1927–1966, published in 1987.
Jalk passed away in 2006 at the age of 86. In 2008, Danish furniture manufacturer Lange Production was granted exclusive rights to reproduce the GJ chair, a design as fresh and original today as ever.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Grete Jalk seating, tables and storage pieces.
- Mid-Century Chrome and Oak Table Lamps, circa 1960s-1970sLocated in Ottawa, OntarioMid-Century chrome and oak table lamps, circa 1960s-1970s, nice pair of late 1960s-early 1970s lamps, with four lights per lamp, in polished chrome and oak. The lamps measure 36"...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Kay Bojesen Denmark Signed Teak MonkeyBy Kay BojesenLocated in Ottawa, OntarioKay Bojesen 1886 - 1958 LARGE MONKEY Branded “KAY BOJESEN DENMARK COPYRIGHT” Teak, Limba. Mid 20th century. Approx: 17 1/2" in.(44 cm.) high. 16" in. ( 41 cm.) wide. Together wi...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsTeak
$5,500 / set - Pair of Mid-Century 1960's Ceramic Swag Pendant LightsLocated in Ottawa, OntarioA pair of Mid-Century ceramic swag pendant lights, circa 1960's, done in deep mustard yellow with an earth tone dark brown sponge and drip accent. The lamps are open on the bottom an...Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCeramic
- Pair of Danish Teak Hans Olsen Triangular Chairs 1950's, Made In DenmarkBy Frem RøjleLocated in Ottawa, OntarioPair of Danish Teak Hans Olsen Triangular Chairs 1950's, Made In Denmark, By Frem Røjle Model Roundette. Matched Pair With Black Faux Leather Seats Iconic Three Footed Design With Sl...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Mid-Century Chrome "Moon Light" Table Lamp, circa 1970sLocated in Ottawa, OntarioMid-Century chrome "Moon Light" table lamp, circa 1970s. The lamp has a squat chrome base and a chrome cup base for the milk glass ball shade, the shade is ...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Lot of Three Danish Mid-Century Modern Pcs. Candleholder by Laurids LonborgBy Laurids LonborgLocated in Ottawa, OntarioLot of three Danish Mid-Century Modern Pcs. 1)- Candleholder by Laurids Lonborg 2)- Pewter trinket box by Just Andersen 3)- Teak wood figural toothp...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsMetal
- Sofa Set in Red Velvet by Grete Jalk, Denmark, 1960sBy Grete JalkLocated in Hemiksem, VANSet of Danish seats from the 1960s by Grete Jalk. This set consists of a 3-seater and 2 separate 1-seater seats. The cushions are in a warm red color and ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsVelvet, Teak
- Couch 3-Seater Original Sofa by Grete Jalk Dansk Mobler Teakwood, Denmark, 1960sBy Grete JalkLocated in Vienna, ATOutstandingly rare 3-seater couch or sofa by Grete Jalk for Dansk Mobler, Denmark 1960ies. Solid teakwood frame wearing the rectangular brass inlay as a s...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsTeak
- 2 Seater Sofa Model 118 Made With a Teak Frame By Grete Jalk From 1960sBy Grete JalkLocated in Lejre, DKThis 2-seater sofa from around the 1960s is a rare beauty designed by Grete Jalk and manufactured by France & Søn in Denmark. It is made of beautiful teak wood and has newly upholste...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Teak Armchair by Grete JalkBy Grete JalkLocated in Grand Rapids, MIDenmark, 1950s Beautifully made teak armchair with gently curved armrests and coiled spring seat and back, designed by Grete Jalk. Frame is made of old growth teak that has very tigh...Category
Vintage 1950s North American Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Grete Jalk Sofa in Teak for France & Daverkosen Danish Mid-CenturyBy France & Daverkosen, Grete JalkLocated in Chicago, ILGrete Jalk sofa for France & Daverkosen Denmark, circa 1955 Teak frame, upholstery. Measures: 80.5" W x 30.5" D x 32" H 'John Stuart Inc' distributors label attached to inte...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Teak armchair by Grete Jalk, Denmark, 60'sBy Grete JalkLocated in Marinha Grande, PTArmchair by designer Grete Jalk in solid teak, 1960s Refurbished cushions Very elegant !Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
$1,768 Sale Price30% Off