Northern Europe is a powerhouse for great design. Some attribute it to the excellent public education system. Others credit their tradition of craftsmanship. Still others claim it’s that unique type of Nordic light. In all likelihood, it’s probably a little bit of each. Denmark, in particular, has produced some of the most interesting names in 20th century design — and the 22 chairs (and one table) below are going to show you why.
Ant Chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen (1952), and a table and a chair by Poul Kjaerholm (1957, 1956).
Picture: fritzhansen.com
The GJ Chair by designer Grete Jalk at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Danish Design exhibition, in London, in 1963.
Picture: Douglas Miller/Getty Images
Chairs suspended from the ceiling, designed by Verner Panton, the most influential Danish designer of the 1970s.
Picture: Keystone/Getty Images
Hans J. Wegner’s international breakthrough came in 1949 with the Round Chair, which was used 11 years later in the televised presidential debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
Picture: Jakob Maarbjerg/POLFOTO/AP
The chair became Wegners’ best-known design.
Picture: PP Møbler/Danish Interior Design
Teddy Bear Chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner for PP Møbler, 1951.
Picture: Danish Interior Design
The “Panton” chair in an exhibition.
Picture: David Hecker/DAPD/AP
Series 7 Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Republic of Fritz Hansen (1958).
Picture: Danish Interior Design
Verner Panton’s System 1-2-3, a swivel-based dining chair.
Picture: Design Within Reach/AP
Verner Panton’s Bar Boy bar car, a mobile cylinder of pivoting components.
Picture: Danish Interior Design/Design Within Reach/AP
Fritz Hansen’s Egg Chair, Designed by Arne Jacobsen, 1958.
Picture: fritzhansen.com
Fritz Hansen’s Rin designed by Japanese designer Hiromichi Konno in 2008
Picture: fritzhansen.com
The Flag Halyard Chair designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1950
Picture: Danish Interior Design
Peacock Chair by Hans J. Wegner (1947).
Picture: Danish Interior Design
The Swan, designed by Arne Jacobsen (1958).
Picture: fritzhansen.com
Arne Jacobsen’s Ant Chair and a Favn Sofa by Jaime Hayón (2010) for the Republic of Fritz Hansen.
Picture: Danish Interior Design
Pelican chair by Finn Juhl (1940)
Picture: finnjuhl.com
Shell chair by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & SØN (1963).
Picture: Danish Interior Design
57 Sofa by Finn Juhl (1957).
Picture: finnjuhl.com
Ocolus Chair by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & SØN (1960).
Picture: Danish Interior Design
Lounge Chair by Poul Kjærholm (1965).
Picture: fritzhansen.com
Nanna Easy Chair by Nanna Ditzel (2002).
Picture: nanna-ditzel-design.dk
The Space Chair by Jehs + Laub (2007).
Picture: fritzhansen.com