Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Furniture maker and architect Ib Kofod-Larsen was one of the greatest design minds to emerge from mid-century Denmark, and his impact was felt across the world, especially in the United States. Kofod-Larsen, who is known for his exemplary seating, tables and storage solutions, understood that the attention to detail, quality materials and functional design ethos of the Scandinavian modernism style he followed would become part of a major international movement.
Due to his foresight and innovation, Kofod-Larsen was one of the best-selling Danish designers in the U.S. in the 1950s, when mid-century modernism was at its most popular.
Originally trained as a cabinetmaker, Kofod-Larsen later studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and was most interested in designing practical yet graceful furniture, although he also dabbled in things like wallpaper and textiles. He favored natural grains and woods like teak and rosewood combined with leather, steel and fabric upholsteries to create inviting pieces. Working with manufacturers such as Faarup Møbelfabrik, Christensen Larsen and Bovenkamp, he brought his sculptural aesthetic to the world.
Some of his seating designs have earned legendary status: The U-56 chair (1956) was renamed the Elizabeth because England’s Queen Elizabeth II is said to have picked up a pair during a 1958 trip to Denmark. With OPE Möbler, he created the Seal chair (1956) with a wooden frame shaped around leather upholstery. The sculptural Penguin chair (1953), produced by Selig and named for its curved back, became Denmark’s most frequently exported piece of furniture to the U.S. at the time. Its bentwood shell echoes the work of Kofod-Larsen’s modernist contemporaries Eero Saarinen and Charles and Ray Eames, while its options as a dining, lounging and rocking chair offer versatility for the home.
As mid-century modern furniture experiences a fresh wave of popularity in the U.S. — although, one could argue that it never really went away — Kofod-Larsen’s timeless pieces are among the most coveted vintage finds. Several of his designs continue to be produced, such as the Penguin chair, which has been manufactured by Brdr. Petersen since 2012.
Find vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen furniture today on 1stDibs.
2010s Polish Scandinavian Modern Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Bouclé
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Wool, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Sheepskin, Oak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Wool, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Rosewood
1960s Israeli Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Suede, Wenge
1950s Danish Vintage Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Leather
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Ib Kofod-Larsen Seating
Birch
