850/​1064

Flemming Lassen (b. 1902, d. 1984)

“Flemming's Chair”. Large, unique, sculptural easy chair with Cuban mahogany frame. Sides, seat and back upholstered with patinated natural leather. Designed and made 1938 by cabinetmaker Jacob Kjær.

Overstuffed easy chair with divided back, designed by Flemming Lassen for Jacob Kjær in 1938. Presented at the Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition the same year. After the exhibition, Flemming Lassen bought the chair, which may have been a little too progressive with this kind of back. In any case, no other chairs have been sold before or since.

Initially the chair was upholstered with coarsely woven brown fabric. It was reupholstered with natural leather in the late 1950s or early 1960s, which is the present upholstery. At some point Flemming Lassen sawed off approximately 3 cm of the legs, as he thought the seat was to high. This made the chair look more like his other easy chairs with regards to leg length and seat height.

The chair was not a success when first shown. Cabinetmaker Jacob Kjær told Flemming Lassen that his customers were afraid of draught coming through the divided back. In fact, this divide opens up the chair and provides it with a visual lightness as well as a sculptural expression. Functionally, the divide provides the perfect, integrated armrests.

Today, the chair is notably one of the most audacious chairs made in Denmark in the 1930s, and exceptionally modern for its time. Some will probably see characteristics from Finn Juhl's designs within Lassen's chair, but one should note that Lassen's design preceeds Finn Juhl's “Pelican Chair” with two years.

Condition

For conditionreport contact department.

Auction

Nordic Design (resumed), 29 September 2014

Category
Estimate

800,000–1,000,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

900,000 DKK