International Decorative Art

Egg Chair

Egg Chair

Design Date 1957-1958

Designer Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971, Danish)

Manufacturer Fritz Hansen (1872-present), Allerod, Denmark

Media fiberglass, aluminum and leather upholstery

Dimensions 42 x 34 1/4 x 31 inches

Arne Jacobsen was a leading International Style architect, though some of his designs are categorized as Modern, such as this chair. The Scandinavian Airlines System hired Jacobsen to design their Royal Hotel and Air Terminal, built 1956 to 1960 in Copenhagen, Denmark—his most influential commission. He also designed all of the utilitarian objects (cutlery, ashtrays) and the furnishings for the project including this chair. For the Egg Chair, Jacobsen reworked the classic wing chair, adding enveloping and organic curves forming the shape of an egg out of molded fiberglass and foam-rubber. The Egg Chair caused difficulties in manufacturing because it required new hand-upholstering methods and precise execution to fit the fabric or leather upholstery to the unusual shape.

Not currently on view

Markings Silver label on bottom, "MADE IN DENMARK 0166 BY FRITZHANSEN"

Credit Line Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

Accession Number 2007.0176