Ultimate Guide to Arne Jacobson’s Design Icons - From Egg Chair to Swan Chair

Arne Jacobsen wanted to be a painter, yet luckily for Danish Modern fans, his father talked him into architecture instead. Like other architects of his time, he ended up creating bespoke fixtures and furnishings for his projects, many of which are still coveted and some that are often replicated.

On this day in 1902, Arne Jacobsen was born in Copenhagen, and the world gained such iconic objects as the Egg Chair. Today, we’re celebrating the Danish architect with a look back at his lasting contributions to product design.

1. Egg Chair - 1958

Did you know the much-loved Egg Chair furnished the reception areas and lobby of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen? It was meticulously designed for the prolific architect!While creating the Egg Chair, Jaobsen had the chance of integrating design on a smaller scale with architecture for a more cohesive, total look.

As a matter of fact, he designed everything that had to do with the hotel, everywhere from the lighting to door knobs to shade cords to the furnishings, including the Egg Chair. This sculptural beauty would later become a Danish mid century modern design icon.

The swivel Egg Chair leather, which ultimately envelops the sitter, comes fully upholstered in fabric or leather on a four-prong star base. An optional matching footrest is also available.

2. Drop Chair - 1858

Did you know the Drop Chair was produced in a limited quantity exclusively for the 1958 SAS Royal Hotel commission for Jacobsen? Along with the Egg Chair Arne Jacobsen and Swan Chair, it furnished both the reception area and lobby of the hotel.

Nevertheless, five decades later, it was put into production for the masses.Its scoop-like, embracing shape ismade of plastic in many shades or upholstered in leather or fabric, while its four legs are chromed.

3. Ant Chair - 1952

Originally, the architect designed the three-legged Ant Chair for the cafeteria at Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company, to offer the client something affordable, lightweight and stackable. Its form, reminiscent of an ant, comprises bent plywood and tubular steel legs.

The Ant Chair distinguished itself by using a single, continuous shell for the seat and back, which was characteristic of Jacobsen’s reductionist work during this period. Today, the piece comes in both three- and four-legged models.

4. Series 7 Chair - 1955

Jacobsen’s Series 7 Chair, a.k.a. The Sevener, was his top-selling chair ever.Besides, in addition to the Egg Chair fabric, it gets copied over and over again, to this day.The Series 7 Chair, unlike its predecessor the Ant Chair, was designed with four legs from the get-go and was more curvy.

Today, the Series 7 Chair comes in a range of stained wood but also colored wood, color lacquered veneer or upholstered and in barstool, counter stool, stacker, swivel and children’s model

5. Swan Chair - 1958

Also gracing the SAS Royal Hotel in 1958, the Swan Chair was another Jacobsen design that has found favor with the design community. Back then, the chair was offered in a swivel model but also a wood-leg version.

Nowadays, it’s available only as a swivel on a four-prong star base but it’s still popular. The seat shell comes in a wide range of fabrics or leather. The Swan Chair has a coordinating sofa.

We hope this truly inspires you. So, there you go! In our opinion, these were, hands down, the best designs by Danish mastermind Arne Jacobsen. Which of them did you like best? Our personal favorite is the leather Egg Chair.

This enveloping beauty has never been out of style! Don't forget to visit Manhattan Home Design for Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair replicas. Browse our extensive catalog!