ARNE JACOBSEN | Vintage Egg and Swan Armchairs | NORKI
Arne Jacobsen, Visionary Designer and Creator of the Egg™, Swan™, Series 7™, and Drop™ Chairs
Norki presents a curated selection of mid-century Scandinavian furniture, showcasing some of the most iconic pieces by the renowned Danish designer Arne Jacobsen.
Who is Arne Jacobsen?
Arne Jacobsen (February 11, 1902 – March 24, 1971, Copenhagen, Denmark) was a celebrated Danish architect and designer. His works are among the most significant contributions to Danish functionalism, a movement that, like Le Corbusier or Walter Gropi
Jacobsen’s design philosophy laid the foundations for Scandinavian organic modernism, a style that continues to influence design today. Scandinavian design, still associated with simple, elegant, and functional shapes, uses natural and comfortable materials, much like Jacobsen’s own creations.
His Journey
Until 1924, Jacobsen studied masonry at the Copenhagen Technical College. He then joined the architecture department at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1927. In 1929, he won a competition with his colleague and friend Flemming Lassen for the "House of the Future," featuring a visionary design with a rotating structure to follow the sun’s path. Between 1927 and 1929, he worked at Paul Holsoe’s architecture firm before founding his own agency in 1930, where he worked on projects ranging from architecture and interior design to furniture, textiles, and ceramics.
Bellavista Complex – One of His Early Achievements
Jacobsen’s first major project was the Bellavista residential building in Klampenborg (1930-1934), on the outskirts of Copenhagen. This landmark project elevated his reputation, and he was often compared to Le Corbusier for his rigorous, modern approach. In the realm of design, one of Jacobsen’s most iconic creations is the Ant chair (Model 3100) of 1952, initially designed for a pharmaceutical laboratory. Featuring a molded plywood seat and backrest, and thin steel tube legs, it became an extremely lightweight piece. He later developed the Series 75 chairs, launched in 1955, which remain a benchmark in Danish design. With nearly 5 million units sold, they are some of the world’s best-selling chairs.
His Landmark Project: SAS Royal Hotel, Copenhagen
Among Jacobsen's most famous works is the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, built between 1958 and 1960. Jacobsen designed the entire building, from the architecture to the door handles, and created three iconic chairs in 1958: the Egg, Swan, and Gryden (later renamed The Pot). These chairs remain classics of contemporary design. This project exemplifies Jacobsen’s integrated approach, combining architecture, furniture, and everyday objects, with five years devoted to the endeavor.
Materials and Influences
Although Jacobsen worked with various materials like wood and synthetic substances, steel was his preferred medium, which he shaped into simple, precise forms. His 1967 Cylinda-Line series, which includes cylindrical pitchers and plates, is a striking example. His influence even extended to the film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), where his design inspired the cutlery used.
Internationally, Jacobsen's most significant project was the construction of St. Catherine’s College at Oxford (1964-1966), where he also designed the famous Oxford chair. In Germany, he designed the new town hall of Mainz, the entrance to the Hannover Concert Hall, and the administrative pavilion at the Hamburg power plant. However, it is in Denmark that Jacobsen’s legacy is most felt, with numerous buildings, houses, theaters, schools, hotels, and factories.
Awards and Legacy
Jacobsen’s work has been widely recognized with numerous international awards, including the Honorable Diploma at the 10th Milan Triennale in 1954 and the International Design Award posthumously in 1991. In 1956, he became a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. Even over 30 years after his death, his influence on Danish design remains undeniable. Recent reissues of his chair designs by Fritz Hansen attest to the timelessness of his work.
Arne Jacobsen, Vintage Passion by Norki
The famous Danish designer remains one of Norki's favorites. We have made the Egg and Swan chairs iconic pieces in our collection. These two legendary pieces, fully restored and upholstered in soft sheepskin leather, regularly feature in our catalog.
The Egg chair, a masterpiece of Scandinavian design, with its four-branch aluminum swivel base, was designed in 1958 by Jacobsen for the reception hall and lobby of the Royal SAS Hotel in Copenhagen. In addition to designing the entire building, Jacobsen was responsible for the interior design, giving him the opportunity to create furniture and objects that perfectly fit their environment.
A true icon of Scandinavian furniture, the Egg chair’s unique organic shape gave it its name and timeless style. With its organic silhouette, this creation remains one of the most recognizable design pieces of the 20th century. Discover this furniture, reimagined and revitalized by Norki.
The Swan chair, the little brother of the equally famous Egg chair, features the same swivel base as its predecessor. Also designed to furnish the reception hall and lobby of the Royal SAS Hotel in Copenhagen, the Swan chair embraces fluid, curved lines without a single straight edge. Its swivel base, shaped like a star, is made of pressure-cast aluminum.
Discover here this iconic chair that we all love so much.
