Penguin Chair by Ib Kofod Larsen

About the Item

Classic Penguin chair designed by Ib Kofod Larsen and produced by Selig. Gorgeous molded birch upper shell provides contoured support with original upholstered seat atop black iron frame. Elegant minimal silhouette with bold styling make this a favorite here at the shop. Preserves in god original condition with minor wear and markings. Structurally intact and fit for normal use.

Creator:
Ib Kofod-Larsen (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
Style:
Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Birch,Iron
Place of Origin:
Denmark
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Mid-20th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Normal age related wear. Foam firming but still comfortable. Original upholstery intact with normal soiling.
Seller Location:
Brooklyn, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1546226903762

Shop All Ib Kofod-Larsen

Ib Kofod-Larsen

Furniture maker and architect Ib Kofod-Larsen was one of the greatest design minds to emerge from mid-century Denmark, and his impact was felt across the world, especially in the United States. Kofod-Larsen, who is known for his exemplary seating, tables and storage solutions, understood that the attention to detail, quality materials and functional design ethos of the Scandinavian modernism style he followed would become part of a major international movement.

Due to his foresight and innovation, Kofod-Larsen was one of the best-selling Danish designers in the U.S. in the 1950s, when mid-century modernism was at its most popular.

Originally trained as a cabinetmaker, Kofod-Larsen later studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and was most interested in designing practical yet graceful furniture, although he also dabbled in things like wallpaper and textiles. He favored natural grains and woods like teak and rosewood combined with leather, steel and fabric upholsteries to create inviting pieces. Working with manufacturers such as Faarup Møbelfabrik, Christensen & Larsen and Bovenkamp, he brought his sculptural aesthetic to the world.

Some of his seating designs have earned legendary status: The U-56 chair (1956) was renamed the Elizabeth because England’s Queen Elizabeth II is said to have picked up a pair during a 1958 trip to Denmark. With OPE Möbler, he created the Seal chair (1956) with a wooden frame shaped around leather upholstery. The sculptural Penguin chair (1953), produced by Selig and named for its curved back, became Denmark’s most frequently exported piece of furniture to the U.S. at the time. Its bentwood shell echoes the work of Kofod-Larsen’s modernist contemporaries Eero Saarinen and Charles and Ray Eames, while its options as a dining, lounging and rocking chair offer versatility for the home.

As mid-century modern furniture experiences a fresh wave of popularity in the U.S. — although, one could argue that it never really went away — Kofod-Larsen’s timeless pieces are among the most coveted vintage finds. Several of his designs continue to be produced, such as the Penguin chair, which has been manufactured by Brdr. Petersen since 2012.

Find vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen furniture today on 1stDibs.