The Swan Lounge Chair was designed by Arne Jacobsen – the legendary Finnish modernist and an icon of 20th-century architecture and design. Manufactured by the furniture company of the Republic of Fritz Hansen, the Swan Chair has been in continuous production since its introduction in 1958. Despite its considerable age, this timeless piece of furniture still looks extravagant and fascinating and is therefore a great, tasteful addition to any modern interior.
Story
The Swan Chair was developed in 1958 along with the Egg Chair and the Drop Chair to furnish the lobby of the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. The entire building, as well as its interior design and furnishings, were designed by Arne Jacobsen for the Scandinavian Airline System (SAS). While working on the hotel project, Jacobsen, who had previously worked as a landscape architect, pursued the theme of “modern garden”. The result was the chair’s organic, oval shape, which matches the rest of the furniture designed for the hotel. Jacobsen built the first prototypes of the egg and swan in the garage of his home in Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen.
The chair, which was enthusiastically received by audiences and critics alike, was mass-produced. It is commercially available under the Republic of Fritz Hansen brand. The Danish manufacturer began working with Arne Jacobsen in 1934. Since then, Jacobsen has provided the company with many memorable furniture designs including the following: the Ant Chair, the Series 7 Chair, the Grand Prix Chair, the Drop Chair and of course the iconic Swan and Egg stools.
design
Even if many would certainly engage in polemics about the questionable attractiveness of the SAS hotel, the design of the Swan Chair leaves no room for such a discussion. Its innovative, futuristic design coupled with impeccable craftsmanship have given the chair a very special place in interior design history. Although the chair looks like a masterpiece of modern art, it is fully functional and very comfortable. Perhaps the most striking feature of the chair is its shell, which lacks straight lines. With its famous soft curves, the chair looks like a swan when viewed from the side. Hence the name of the chair – “The Swan Chair”. The shell is made of fiberglass, which is molded into the desired shape. The seat shell hugs the person sitting in it and gives the chair its well-known cosy, intimate atmosphere. The curved armrests and the generous backrest give the chair a relaxing lounge feeling. The high level of comfort is due to the cold-cured, high-density polyurethane foam, which is then covered with either supple, high-quality leather or fabric in a range of colours. The chair is supported by a steel spindle and a rectangular steel plate that is attached to the base of the shell with four Allen screws.
The individual parts are welded and surface-treated with matt zinc. The rotating unit rests on a 4-star base made of die-cast aluminium. In addition, the base is equipped with plastic glides to protect the floor surface. The Swan Chair is available in two different heights, as a standard or +8 cm version. The chair carries a full five-year warranty against manufacturing defects. By registering your chair on the Republik Fritz Hansen website, the guarantee is extended and includes a 5-year guarantee on the swivel mechanism, automatic reset, material and leather defects (Basic Leather) and a 10-year guarantee on the base, shell and choice of high-quality leather upholstery .
The overall look of the chair is extremely appealing and stylish. Even today, more than five decades after its presentation, when modernity is no longer an extravagant or radical concept, the Swan Chair has neither aged nor become banal. It still looks fresh and contemporary. An ideal chair for lounge or waiting areas and a tasteful addition to any modern home.
