The combination of style and efficiency that the Series 7 encapsulates is one of the reasons that it is one of the most iconic, and imitated, chair designs in the world. With over 5 million units sold (not to mention the uncountable copies in circulation), it is one of the most commercially successful chair programs ever created. The Series 7 was designed in the mid 1950’s by Arne Jacobsen, a Danish architect and designer, and amalgamates smooth, swooping curves, with modernist industrial straight tubular steel legs. Not only does it boast a timeless design but due to the fact it is stackable, was also designed to be practical and versatile. For this reason it is still as popular today as it was when it was first produced in the 1950’s.
A photo taken by photographer Lewis Morley in 1963 (left) of model Christine Keeler propelled the chair into wider popularity, even though the chair used in the photo was actually an imitation of the Jacobsen original. A chair with an aperture cut-out in the back rest was used so as to avoid copyright legalities.
The Chair was produced by Fritz Hansen, who produced most of Jacobsen’s furniture designs after they began collaboration in 1934. It was manufactured using a technique developed by Charles and Ray Eames, whereby plywood is molded and pressed in 3 dimensions, giving the curved seat that makes the chair so iconic. This technique was also primarily developed for the purpose of mass production, making the Series 7 one of the first mass produced designer chairs, and is still in production today.
Due to it’s extremely versatile design the Series 7 is used in a wide range of settings. It is often used as a dining chair, a bedroom chair or a desk chair, and given that it is produced in a wide range of colours, can provide a stylish addition to almost any interior. Typically, for an original piece produced by Fritz Hansen, you can expect to pay in the region of £300-£500, with some special edition pieces costing upwards of £800.
For this piece the real thing can always be told by the stamp on the underside of the chair. The bolt cover of a real piece will always be stamped by Fritz Hansen, so you need never be caught out by an imitation that claims to be legitimate.
Due to the sheer quantity of imitations being produced, it will pay to make sure that you are buying an original, so make sure that any piece you buy has evidence of authenticity. An original can add a splash of colour, practicality and style in equal parts to any commercial, or domestic setting in which you wish to put it.
I’m James Broad, a lover of all things vintage and Co-founder of Intique, a marketplace with personality selling vintage and antique furniture with character.
