Rare Design Icons from the 1950s

A Leaping Dolphin

With a unique sense for both design and craftsmanship, Danish furniture designers took the world by storm in the 1940s and 50s. The long version of Hans J. Wegner's poetic "Dolphin Chair" from 1955 is by far the ultimate trophy for most collectors of Scandinavian furniture design. It was designed for the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Exhibition in 1950 and was only produced in a few copies by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen. The deckchair, like many other pieces of Wegner’s furniture, resembles a representative of the animal kingdom – in this case, a leaping dolphin.

There is no doubt that the chair in its design is undeniably beautiful, but for the architect himself the perfect piece of furniture was a utopian concept. Many of his furniture pieces therefore functioned as archetypes, which were then later developed into a myriad of new versions. With its echoes from Wegner’s first folding chair from 1947 the Dolphin Chair was therefore made with the idea in mind that "you cannot make something that is definitive," which Wegner himself articulated on several occasions. At Bruun Rasmussen, we are, however, of the opinion that the chair stands out as one of Wegner's most complete accomplishments.

Craftsmanship or Art?

With Poul Kjærholm’s "Bowstring Chair" from 1952 we have a bit of a sensation on our hands, since the piece has never previously been offered on the auction market. The prototype has only been made in two copies, and the one up for auction has belonged to the architect himself and until now been in his family's possession. The easy chair belongs to Kjærholm’s earliest experiments from the year when he graduated from the Danish Design School in Copenhagen. It was a time when he defined the distinctive and stylish idiom that would prove to be the consistent guideline for his furniture design. Kjærholm was deeply rooted in the Danish tradition of craftsmanship, and with the chair up for auction he truly challenged the properties of wood as a material and created a furniture piece that is as much a sculpture as a functional object.

Set the Perfect Stage for Your Cocktail Party

There are not many undiscovered gems left in Danish furniture history. However, this is actually the case with the bar cabinet from 1951 by professor and architect Kaj Gottlob, who undeservedly has been a bit overlooked compared to the period's other significant architects. He placed a distinctive mark on public buildings during the mid- and post-war period, including the bridge Knippelsbro in Copenhagen, but he also designed interiors and collaborated with the cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen for many years. Together they created just a handful of cabinets of the finest craftsmanship, which the freestanding bar cabinet is a fine example of. Gottlob has here managed to unite a tight and distinct design with a decorative expression in the form of the marquetry in exquisite types of wood. In its closed form the cabinet almost looks like a sculpture, but when opened it resembles a theatre stage whereupon drinks can be mixed in a festive fashion.

Many Other Design Gems

Although not undiscovered, there are many other design gems at the summer's auction – including Frits Henningsen’s high back sofa in a rare version, upholstered with original, patinated Niger leather from 1936. The auction also includes Arne Jacobsen's small unique desk, which was designed around 1960 as part of the original interior of his well-known "Atrium" houses at Bellevue, north of Copenhagen.

Auction: Thursday 9 June at 4pm in Bredgade 33, Copenhagen

Preview: 26 - 30 May at the same address

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