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The design of the Swan Lounge Chair was created by Arne Jacobsen – the legendary Finnish modernist and an icon of architecture and design of the 20th century. The Swan Chair, manufactured by the furniture company of the Republic Fritz Hansen, has been in constant 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 together with the Egg Chair and the Drop Chair to furnish the lobby of the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. The entire building, along with its interior and furnishings, was designed by Arne Jacobsen for the Scandinavian Airline System (SAS). While working on the hotel’s project, Jacobsen, who had worked as a landscape architect in the past, pursued a “modern garden” theme. The result was the organic, oval shape of the chair, which matches the rest of the furniture developed for the hotel. The first prototypes of the egg and the swan were built by Jacobsen in the garage of his house in Klampenborg north of Copenhagen.
The chair, which was enthusiastically received by the public and critics, was mass-produced. It is commercially available under the Republic of Fritz Hansen trademark. 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
Although many people would certainly engage in polemics because of the questionable appeal of the SAS hotel, the design of the Swan Chair leaves no room for such discussion. Its innovative futuristic design, combined with the immaculate quality of craftsmanship, has given the chair a very special place in the history of interior design. Although the chair looks like a masterpiece of modern art, it is fully functional and very comfortable. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the chair is its shell, which has no 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 from the fiberglass, which is molded into the desired shape. The shell curves around the person sitting in it, giving the chair its famous cozy, intimate feel. The curved armrests and the generous backrest give the chair a relaxing lounge feel. 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 covers in a variety of colors. 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 swivel assembly rests on a 4-star base made of injection-molded aluminum. In addition, the base is equipped with synthetic glides to protect the surface of the floor. The Swan Chair is available in two different heights, standard or +8 cm versions. The chair comes with a full five year warranty against manufacturing defects. By registering your chair on the website of the Republic of Fritz Hansen, the guarantee is extended and includes a 5-year guarantee on the swivel mechanism, automatic return, material and leather defects (Basic Leather) and a 10-year guarantee on the base, shell and Selection 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 as well as a tasteful addition to any modern home.
