The Swan office chair by Arne Jacobsen

About the Item
- Creator:Arne Jacobsen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.68 in (83 cm)Width: 28.35 in (72 cm)Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Steel,Patinated
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Copenhagen, DK
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- AJ 3316 - 'The Egg' lounge chair by Arne JacobsenBy Arne JacobsenLocated in Copenhagen, DKAJ 3316 - 'The Egg' lounge chair in original, patinated aniline leather on a cast aluminium base. Arne Jacobsen / Fritz HansenCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Coffee table by Arne JacobsenBy Arne JacobsenLocated in Copenhagen, DKRectangular coffee table with rosewood top and chromed steel frame. Arne Jacobsen / Fritz HansenCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Dining Table by Arne JacobsenBy Arne JacobsenLocated in Copenhagen, DKShaker dining table by Arne Jacobsen / Fritz Hansen.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Rosewood desk by Arne JacobsenBy Arne JacobsenLocated in Copenhagen, DKDesk in rosewood with black lacquered drawers, chromed steel legs and solid rosewood shoes. Arne Jacobsen / Fritz HansenCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Drop Leaf Table by Arne JacobsenBy Arne JacobsenLocated in Copenhagen, DKDrop-leaf table in rosewood. Designed in 1952. Additional length: 40.00cm per leaf. Arne Jacobsen / Fritz Hansen.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Egg with footstool by Arne JacobsenBy Arne JacobsenLocated in Copenhagen, DKAJ 3316 - 'The Egg' lounge chair in original black leather, tilt function and on an old aluminium base with matching footstool. Arne Jacobsen / Fritz HansenCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Vintage Arne Jacobsen 3113 Hammer Office ChairBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Søborg, DKA vintage 3113 series one hammer office chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen of Denmark from the late 1950s. This chair has been completely refurbish. The wheels have been disma...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Refurbished Vintage Arne Jacobsen 3117 Office ChairBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Søborg, DKA vintage 3117 series one hammer office chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen of Denmark from the late 1950s. This chair has been completely refurbish. The wheels have been disma...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- "Series 7", or model 3217 office chair designed by Arne Jacobsen (50170)By Arne JacobsenLocated in Budapest, HU"Seven" office chair, model 3217 designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen in the 1950's. Rare and exquisite Turqoise color textile uphosltery. The arm rests have some paint damage,...Category
1990s Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- "Seven" Office Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1950sBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Stockholm, SERare early version of Arne Jacobsen’s “Seven” office chair, with the original wheel base. Elegant black leather upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Scandinavian Modern Office Chair, Model 3217, by Arne Jacobsen and Fritz HansenBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Lejre, DK"Seven" office chair, model 3217, with armrests and swivel function in cognac classic leather designed by Arne Jacobsen in the 1950s and manufactured by Fritz Hansen. This product w...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Office Chair in Red UpholsteryBy Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Waalwijk, NLArne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, office chair model ‘3217’, wood, fabric, chrome-plated metal, plastic, Denmark, designed in 1955, later production This office chair by Arne Jacobsen...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsChrome, Metal
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More

The 16 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about to how they came to be.

Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair Scrambled the Idea of What a Wingback Could Be
The curvaceous Egg was designed to cradle the body and offer privacy. Later, it became the seat of choice for bosses in movies, too.