Lounge Chair and Footstool by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Denmark, 1950s
View Similar Items
Lounge Chair and Footstool by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Denmark, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell (Maker, Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 39.38 in (100 cm)Width: 28.75 in (73 cm)Depth: 35.44 in (90 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Stockholm, SE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1638227933282
Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
The history of Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell originates with Henry Hans Schubell and Arnold Madsen, a powerhouse duo in Danish furniture design throughout the mid-20th century. The pair collaborated with Dutch company Bovenkamp on a range of furnishings and created memorable lounge chairs, stools and other seating throughout the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s — such as the iconic Clam chair — that represent the finest of Scandinavian modern design.
Born in 1906, Schubell was an apprentice cabinetmaker turned foreman by his early 20s. As a supervisor for cabinetmakers Winter and Winding, Schubell oversaw furniture production in their workshop until the mid-1940s.
In 1944, a skilled upholster by the name of Arnold Madsen requested assistance from a cabinetmaker to make a prototype lounge chair based on a plaster model he’d made. Accepting the challenge, Schubell impressed Madsen to the point that he suggested they enter into a partnership. The Clam chair was their first collaboration as Madsen & Schubell.
According to Aaron FitzGerald, of Dagmar gallery, Madsen’s Clam chair is “one of the most sought-after and simultaneously misattributed and copied chair designs of the twentieth century.” In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen.
In the backyard of a modest home in Copenhagen, Schubell built wooden frames which Madsen then upholstered. They sold their finished products to dealers under their joint name, earning enough money to move production to a factory outside the city. Some models were under license by Norwegian company Vik & Blindheim while others were manufactured by Bovenkamp in the Netherlands. The pair’s partnership ended in 1963 in order for the designers to establish separate companies. Madsen opened a new upholstery firm with his son, Ib Madsen, under the name Madsen og Schubell, and Schubell continued to build frames for Madsen as Schubell & Son.
Vintage Madsen & Schubell chairs offer sturdy build quality and the kind of superior upholstery that is typical among mid-century Scandinavian furniture. Working with a range of woods including teak, rosewood and birch, Madsen & Schubell accented natural wood grains with soft lambswool and sheepskin for a variety of comfortable seating.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating.
- Midcentury Modern "Oda" chair by Arnold Madsen, Denmark, 1950sBy Arnold MadsenLocated in Stockholm, SEAmazing “MS-9” or “Oda” lounge chair by Arnold Madsen, with a striking round silhouette. Cocoon model with decorative teak details on the arms. Uphols...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chair and Footstool by Axel Larsson, Sweden, 1950sBy Axel Larsson, BodaforsLocated in Stockholm, SEAmazing lounge chair by Axel Larsson, made from teak with original wreathed blue leather. Neck cushion. Bold lines create a very cool silhouette.Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Pair of Midcentury "Seal" Lounge Chairs by Ib Kofod Larsen, Sweden, 1950sBy OPE Möbler, Ib Kofod-LarsenLocated in Stockholm, SEPair of amazing “Seal” lounge chairs by Ib Kofod Larsen, made with teak frames. Light grey upholstery with dark brown leather piping. Great silhouettes and materials, sculpted wingli...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Midentury "Japan" Lounge Chairs and Ottoman, Finn Juhl, Denmark, 1950sBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Stockholm, SEPair of elegant “Japan” lounge chairs, made from teak with clean lines. White wool upholstery. Shared ottoman with cognac colored leather.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Midcentury Modern "Egg" Lounge Chair and ottoman, Arne Jacobsen, Denmark, 1950sBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Stockholm, SEIconic “Egg” lounge chair and footstool by Arne Jacobsen, upholstered with cognac brown leather. This design was originally made for the SAS Radisson Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958. Ot...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Scandinavian Modernist Lounge Chair by Carl-Axel Acking, Sweden, 1950sBy NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Carl-Axel AckingLocated in Stockholm, SEElegant lounge or armchair by Carl-Axel Acking, made in walnut and upholstered with linen. Beautiful carved decor around the base of the seat and lines of wood following the curves o...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLinen, Walnut
- Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell Easy Chairs Produced by Madsen & SchubellBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare pair of easy chairs designed by Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell. Produced by Madsen & Schubell in Denmark. Dimensions low-back (W x D x H): 68 x 84 x 94 cm, SH: 45 cm. Dimensions hig...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Sheepskin, Beech
- Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell's "Prague Chair" for Schubell & Madsen, Denmark 1960sBy Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Madsen & SchubellLocated in Utrecht, NLThis famous model, known as the “Pragstolen or Pragh” (literally: The Prague Chair) by Danish designer duo Madsen & Schubell was designed by Henry Hans Schubell...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Beech, Oak, Teak
- Mid-Century Lounge Chair Designed by Ib Madsen & Acton SchubellBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Lejre, DKLounge chair in leather, designed by Danish architects Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Ib Madsen for Madsen & SchübellBy Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Ib MadsenLocated in Los Angeles, CALounge chair with ottoman by Ib Madsen for Madsen & Schübell, Denmark, circa 1950s. The chair and ottoman retain original black leather upholstery and feature multiple settings for c...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- 1950's Lounge Chair Attributed to Madsen & SchubellBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Bridgeport, CTUltra cool 1950's chair attributed to Danish designer duo Madsen & Schubell. The chair closely resembles the duo's famous "Pragh" chair and we speculate that this is either an early ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Beech
- Madsen & Schubell, Wingback Lounge Chair & Stool in Teak, Reupholstered, 1950sBy Ib Madsen and Acton SchubellLocated in Odense, DKA very rare version of "The Prague Chair" and stool in teak, reupholstered in a luxurious vintage fabric from the 1980s. Designed by Henry Hans Schube...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak