The Story of Jacobsen's Egg Chair
The Egg chair is undoubtedly, the most sculptural and iconic design of Arne jacobsen's furniture inspirations, this timeless lounge chair is very notable for its organic, rounded Egg shape and short swivel base. Jacobsen designed his famous Egg chair in 1958, exclusively for the Radison Hotel in Copenhagen, which was part of the biggest Scandinavian airline company. The Radisson Hotel was one of Jacobsen's major projects and architectural achievement, the hotel was the largest and the tallest skyscraper in Copenhagen at that time. Jacobsen was determined to accomplish his architectural building project, by designing the ultimate furniture for the lobby area of the Hotel. The picture showing this designer classic lounge chair, standing as a sculptural feature in the middle of the reception area of the Royal hotel, a true statement in furniture design and architecture , combined together to create the ultimate international modern style.
The danish architect and furniture designer Arnie Jacobsen was one of the top leading designers of Bauhaus design. He is considered to be the founder of the modern international style, and very well remembered for his work, notably the egg chair, swan chair, the swan sofa, his collection of designer lights and other timeless classic designs.
During the mid of the 20th century, furniture evolved side by side with architectural and technological progress. Instead of the traditional classic furniture with its heavy, carved wood, and dark materials, Jacobsen introduced the new technological applications and materials at that time for his furniture inspirations. His concept of design was based on lightness, minimalistic style, sculptural figures and excellent craftsmanship. Jacobsen managed to brake the traditional methods by designing the body of the Egg Chair in non conventional shape, from a light weight plaster shell, and injecting it with synthetic foam which make the Egg Chair very comfortable, and very light. Jacobsen egg chair reproductions was later followed by even lighter models made of fibreglass and polyurethane foam. The egg chair reproductions furniture is extremely lighter now days, with an overall weight of 18 kg.
Only a limited production of egg chairs have ever made by the danish furniture company Fritz Hanzen, they were very expensive up, to 60.000UD each. The Fritz Hanzen had the full exclusivity on its production licence and made exclusively for the Royal hotel, that,s why there are very few originals, some of them displayed in museums, Art gallery or owned by specialised collectors.
The Fritz Hanzen released a special edition of 50 egg chairs at the celebration of its 50Th anniversary. Each egg chair was released with a special stamped signature of arnie jacobsen. In addition to the egg chair original design which was notable for its curvaceous and rounded egg shell shape, the danish furniture company the Fritz also manufactured the egg chair in couch version, unfortunately the egg Chair Couch furniture reproduction did not last long, and did not witness any success because of manufacturing issues and high cost production, the project was soon dropped by the Frtiz manufacturing company.
During the mid of the 20th century, furniture evolved side by side with architectural and technological progress. Instead of the traditional classic furniture with its heavy, carved wood, and dark materials, Jacobsen introduced the new technological applications and materials at that time for his furniture inspirations. His concept of design was based on lightness, minimalistic style, sculptural figures and excellent craftsmanship. Jacobsen managed to brake the traditional methods by designing the body of the Egg Chair in non conventional shape, from a light weight plaster shell, and injecting it with synthetic foam which make the Egg Chair very comfortable, and very light. Jacobsen egg chair reproductions was later followed by even lighter models made of fibreglass and polyurethane foam. The egg chair reproductions furniture is extremely lighter now days, with an overall weight of 18 kg.
Only a limited production of egg chairs have ever made by the danish furniture company Fritz Hanzen, they were very expensive up, to 60.000UD each. The Fritz Hanzen had the full exclusivity on its production licence and made exclusively for the Royal hotel, that,s why there are very few originals, some of them displayed in museums, Art gallery or owned by specialised collectors.
Few critics argued that, Arnie Jacobsen was inspired in his egg chair design by the womb chair, which was designed by the finish furniture designer Eero Saarinen. Although the egg chair was designed nearly 60 years ago, it always stands out as a unique iconic design and one of the best furniture designs ever made in modern classic furniture history.
In 2008, Fritz Hansen celebrated the 50th anniversary of the egg chair, by producing a limited edition Fritz Hansen said :“We wanted to create something special to celebrate the golden anniversary of this legendary design”.
I really wonder who are the lucky ones who got their hands on one of Jacobsen's Egg chair latest edition ?
View our selection of Jacobsen's Designs
i love the egg like chair !its one of the latest edition ,, and i think it is more comfortable then other chair design ! hospitality furniture manufacturers
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