Arne Jacobsen, coffee table

ARNE JACOBSEN (Denmark, 1902–1971) for Fritz Hansen.
Circular coffee table with veneered rosewood top, aluminum frame, on three-star base with profiled stem.
Table with minor signs of use.
Produced by Fritz Hansen in June 1965, according to the label.
Measurements; height 47 cm. Diameter 110 cm.

Designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in June 1965, as indicated by its original label, this circular coffee table perfectly embodies the principles of mid-20th-century Scandinavian design: formal simplicity, functionality, and impeccable craftsmanship. The rosewood-veneered tabletop features spectacular grain that lends warmth and sophistication, with visual hallmarks of lightness in the form of the aluminum frame and the characteristic three-legged star-shaped base— a highly stable solution that became one of the Danish designer’s most recognizable hallmarks. Conceived with timeless elegance and devoid of any superfluous elements, this table reflects Jacobsen’s mastery in creating pieces of extraordinary aesthetic purity, now considered icons of Nordic design and highly prized by collectors for their authenticity, the excellence of their craftsmanship, and the enduring relevance of a formal language that remains fully contemporary.

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 National Bank of Denmark 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 portrait. 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 look. 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.

The Danish firm Fritz Hansen, founded in 1872, manufactures original, unique, functional, and innovative contemporary design furniture. It produces its products at its facilities north of Copenhagen, crafting each piece in close collaboration with internationally renowned designers and architects. Highlights of its collection include the Egg Chair and the Swan Chair, the Series 7 Chair, the Ant Chair, and the Oxford Chair by designer Arne Jacobsen, as well as tables and armchairs designed by the Danish designers Piet Hein and Poul Kjaerholm.