Early Pair Of Arnold Madsen Clam Chairs In Curly Sheepskin, 1944
About the Item
- Creator:Arnold Madsen (Designer),Madsen & Schubell (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 25.6 in (65 cm)Width: 29.53 in (75 cm)Depth: 33.47 in (85 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1944
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:ABCOUDE, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6852237658222
Arnold Madsen
A powerhouse duo in Danish furniture design throughout the mid-20th century, Henry Hans Schubell and Arnold Madsen collaborated as Madsen & Schubell with Dutch company Bovenkamp and Vik & Blindheim on a range of furnishings and created memorable lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating throughout the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s — such as the wingback Pragh chair and the iconic Clam chair — that represent the finest of Scandinavian modern design.
In 1944, a skilled upholster by the name of Arnold Madsen requested assistance from a cabinetmaker to make a prototype lounge chair based on a plaster model he’d made. Accepting the challenge, Schubell impressed Madsen to the point that he suggested they enter into a partnership. The Clam chair was their first collaboration as Madsen & Schubell.
According to Aaron FitzGerald, of Dagmar gallery, Madsen’s Clam chair is “one of the most sought-after and simultaneously misattributed and copied chair designs of the twentieth century.” In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen.
In the backyard of a modest home in Copenhagen, Schubell built wooden frames which Madsen then upholstered. They sold their finished products to dealers under their joint name, earning enough money to move production to a factory outside the city. Some models, such as the Clam, were under license by Norwegian company Vik & Blindheim while others were manufactured by Bovenkamp in the Netherlands. The pair’s partnership ended in 1963 in order for the designers to establish separate companies. Madsen opened a new upholstery firm with his son, Ib Madsen, under the name Madsen og Schubell, and Schubell continued to build frames for Madsen as Schubell & Son. (At some point, Ib also traded under the name Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell.)
Vintage Madsen & Schubell chairs offer sturdy build quality and the kind of superior upholstery that is typical among mid-century Scandinavian furniture. Working with a range of woods including teak, rosewood and birch, Madsen & Schubell accented natural wood grains with soft lambswool and sheepskin for a variety of comfortable seating.
Find vintage Arnold Madsen Clam chairs, lounge chairs and other seating on 1stDibs.
Madsen & Schubell
A powerhouse duo in Danish furniture design throughout the mid-20th century, Henry Hans Schubell and Arnold Madsen collaborated as Madsen & Schubell with Dutch company Bovenkamp and Vik & Blindheim on a range of furnishings and created memorable lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating throughout the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s — such as the iconic Clam chair — that represent the finest of Scandinavian modern design.
Born in 1906, Schubell was an apprentice cabinetmaker turned foreman by his early 20s. As a supervisor for cabinetmakers Winter and Winding, Schubell oversaw furniture production in their workshop until the mid-1940s. In 1944, a skilled upholster by the name of Arnold Madsen requested assistance from a cabinetmaker to make a prototype lounge chair based on a plaster model he’d made. Accepting the challenge, Schubell impressed Madsen to the point that he suggested they enter into a partnership. The Clam chair was their first collaboration as Madsen & Schubell.
According to Aaron FitzGerald, of Dagmar gallery, Madsen’s Clam chair is “one of the most sought-after and simultaneously misattributed and copied chair designs of the twentieth century.” In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen.
In the backyard of a modest home in Copenhagen, Schubell built wooden frames which Madsen then upholstered. They sold their finished products to dealers under their joint name, earning enough money to move production to a factory outside the city. Some models were under license by Norwegian company Vik & Blindheim while others were manufactured by Bovenkamp in the Netherlands. The pair’s partnership ended in 1963 in order for the designers to establish separate companies. Madsen opened a new upholstery firm with his son, Ib Madsen, under the name Madsen og Schubell, and Schubell continued to build frames for Madsen as Schubell & Son. (At some point, Ib also traded under the name Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell.)
Vintage Madsen & Schubell chairs offer sturdy build quality and the kind of superior upholstery that is typical among mid-century Scandinavian furniture. Working with a range of woods including teak, rosewood and birch, Madsen and Schubell accented natural wood grains with soft lambswool and sheepskin for a variety of comfortable seating.
Find vintage Madsen & Schubell Clam chairs and other seating on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: ABCOUDE, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Pair Of Riaza Chairs In Cognac Leather By Paco Muñoz For Darro Gallery, Spain, 1By Paco MuñozLocated in ABCOUDE, UTFantastic pair of Riaza chairs in cognac leather by Paco Muñoz for Darro Gallery, Spain, 1960s. Drawing inspiration from hunting chair aesthetics, the cognac leather upholstery, loos...Category
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Pair Of ‘Malù’ Lounge Chairs In Brown Corduroy Upholstery By Diego Mattu For 1PLocated in ABCOUDE, UTDiego Mattu’s Malù creation introduces exceptionally cozy lounge chairs produced by the Italian company 1P. These chairs are made to reach an ultimate level of comfort as can clearly be recognized in the design. The base is constructed from ABS, a durable plastic frequently used in furniture design of this period. These chairs can function as standalone pieces or can be arranged side by side to form a sofa arrangement. These particular chairs come with removable armrests...Category
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Plastic
- Pair Of Hartmut Lohmeyer Model 400 Lounge Chairs For Wilkhahn, 1959By Wilkhahn, Hartmut LohmeyerLocated in ABCOUDE, UTNice pair of lounge chairs in teak and cane model 400 by Hartmut Lohmeyer for Wilkhahn, 1960s. A timeless design, with a woven cane seating and backrest and a solid teak frame. The c...Category
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Cane, Teak
- Pair Of Costela Lounge Chairs By Carlo Hauner And Martin Eisler, 1950sBy Carlo Hauner and Martin EislerLocated in ABCOUDE, UTThe beautiful 'Costela' lounge chairs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler are one of the icons of Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design. The name ‘Costela’ which translates as rib, is ap...Category
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Elda Lounge Chair In Black Leather By Joe Colombo For Comfort Italy 1970sBy Joe Colombo, Comfort, ItalyLocated in ABCOUDE, UTIconic design chair by top designer Joe Colombo. The Elda chairs were produced by Comfort Italy from the early 60s. The rotating white fiberglass shell gives the chair a clean look a...Category
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Fiberglass
- Arne Norell Inca Lounge Chair, Sweden 1960sBy Norell Möbel AB, Arne NorellLocated in ABCOUDE, UTA fantastic edition of the Inca chair, executed in a patinated leather upholstery. The sophisticated lacquered beech wooden frame shows clear, simple lines with visible wooden dowels...Category
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell Rare Pair of Clam Chairs, Denmark, 1944By Madsen & Schubell, Arnold MadsenLocated in New York, NYArnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell rare pair of Clam chairs with beech arms and legs and upholstered in ivory bouclé with camel leather buttons on back and seat, Denmark. 1944. These iconic Clam chairs have a characteristic organic shape with soft curves throughout including gently curved back, seat, and arms, and resting on club-shaped beech legs. The name comes from the shape of the seat and back that together form the silhouette of an open clam. The back is slightly tilted while the seat is slightly raised towards the front to provide conformity to the body and great comfort. These original exquisite Madsen Clam chairs...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBouclé, Birch
- Original Clam Chair in lambskin by Arnold MadsenBy Arnold Madsen, Madsen & SchubellLocated in Copenhagen, DKEarly and original 'Clam Chair' in stained beech with new lambskin and leather buttons. Designed by Arnold Madsen for Schubell & Madsen, 1940's.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLambskin, Beech
- Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chairs - New EditionBy Arnold MadsenLocated in London, GBOfficial Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chair...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
- Arnold Madsen Vintage 1950s Sheepskin Clam ChairBy Vik & Blindheim, Arnold MadsenLocated in London, GBArnold Madsen - The Clam Chair, 1944 A rare and highly collectible original production from the early 1950s of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. This example was produced unde...Category
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Beech
- Clam Chair in Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen - New EditionBy Arnold MadsenLocated in London, GBOfficial Re-Edition of the iconic clam chair by Arnold Madsen. Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-launch the Clam Chai...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
- Re-Edition Sheepskin Clam Chairs by Arnold MadsenBy Madsen & SchubellLocated in London, EnglandOfficial Re-Edition of the iconic Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen. Dagmar in collaboration with the estate of Arnold Madsen is proud to re-lau...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut