Fritz Hansen

Why it is renowned

Fritz Hansen makes several of the best-known chairs of Danish modern design: Arne Jacobsen's Ant from 1952, the Series 7 from 1955, and the Swan and the Egg from 1958.¹² It also makes the Superellipse table by Piet Hein and Bruno Mathsson and much of Poul Kjærholm's furniture, and it has showrooms around the world.²¹ The Victoria and Albert Museum in London holds a Series 7 chair of its making (CIRC.371-1970).³

Recognition

• Victoria and Albert Museum, London³1970a Series 7 chair of its making (CIRC.371-1970)

The story

The cabinetmaker Fritz Hansen took out a trade licence in Copenhagen in 1872.² In 1915 the company made its first chair in steam-bent wood.¹ Its work with Arne Jacobsen began in 1934.¹² In 1982 it took over the rights to a large part of Poul Kjærholm's furniture, and it has since added work by Cecilie Manz, Kasper Salto, Hiromichi Konno and Jaime Hayon.¹² The company is based in Allerød, north of Copenhagen.²

What to know it by

• Egg¹1958Arne JacobsenLounge chair
• Series 7²1955Arne JacobsenStacking chair in moulded veneer
• Swan¹1958Arne JacobsenLounge chair
• Ant²1952Arne JacobsenStacking chair
• Superellipse table²Piet Hein and Bruno MathssonTable
• PK22⁴1956Poul KjærholmLounge chair