Arne Jacobsen, Oxford Chair for Fritz Hansen

ARNE JACOBSEN (Denmark, 1902–1971) for Fritz Hansen.
Oxford chair, designed in 1965.
High-back model, with black leather upholstery, chrome-plated aluminum frame and armrests, on a five-legged base with casters. Height-adjustable and reclining.
Chair shows slight signs of use.
Manufactured by Fritz Hansen.
Measurements: 140/125 x 60 x 60 cm, seat height 55/40 cm.

Oxford chair with an aluminum frame and a body fully upholstered in black leather, featuring a high backrest. This is a minimalist design, with a frame reduced to its essence—functional yet elegant thanks to its harmonious combination of straight lines and gentle curves. The original design of the Oxford chair was created by Jacobsen for the faculty at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford, in 1965.

An architect and designer, Arne Jacobsen studied for four years at the Copenhagen School of Construction before enrolling in the Faculty of Architecture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Among his most notable architectural works are St. Catherine’s College in Oxford, the SAS Hotel in Copenhagen, the headquarters of the Danish National Bank in the same city, and the Royal Danish Embassy in London. As a designer, he created furniture that has become iconic, including the “Ant” chair (1951) and the “Swan” and “Egg” chairs designed for the SAS Hotel. He is also known for his 1955 Model 3107 chair, also called the “Chair No. 7,” of which more than five million were sold; it features alongside Christine Keeler in Lewis Morley’s iconic photograph. Another of his contributions to popular culture in the media is his designer cutlery set, featuring spoons for both hands, which was chosen for the film “2001: A Space Odyssey” because of its futuristic appearance. The key to the success of Jacobsen’s work lies in its elegant and minimalist design, and today his pieces can be found in collections such as those at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the MoMA in New York, among many others.