Seat of Power
In 1914, Kaare Klint designed the Faaborg chair for the Faaborg Museum, and since then, the chair has proved to be the first modern Danish design classic. this year, the iconic faaborg chair marks 110 years.
The Faaborg Chair ushered in a new era for Danish design, creating a foundation for its development and for what we now associate with the Danish Modern phenomenon. The extremely simple design and unity between structure, materials and function set the Faaborg Chair apart from its predecessors and is today considered as an icon of Danish Design.
The Faaborg Chair is, to this day, an integral part of the gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art) Faaborg Museum, which was inaugurated in 1915. At just 26 years of age, Kaare Klint carefully considered every aspect of the Faaborg Chair to ensure it fulfilled its intended function, arriving at a light and portable solution that allowed museum visitors to position the chair before artworks they wished to study in greater detail.
The Faaborg Chair is characterised by its relatively thin legs, tapering to a point at the base, and its curved back, which lend the chair a particularly light, elegant and refined expression. At the same time, the semicircular back extends forward to create an armrest that almost encircles the occupant, providing a sense of privacy while seated. The chair was originally produced with a French rattan seat, sides, and back. For greater comfort, the chair has been produced with a seat upholstered with leather or fabric since 1964. The back and sides still feature hand-woven French rattan, and it takes more than 12 hours for a skilled craftsman to weave one chair by hand.
Each Faaborg Chair consists of 13 pieces made of either oak, walnut, or mahogany.
All wood used for the Faaborg Chair is certified and/or from sustainable forestry. To achieve a rich deep glow on the wooden surface, all parts are either treated with oil or soap, a process which is entirely carried out by hand.
The classic French weaving found in the backrest of the chair is a process entirely carried out by hand. A skilled craftsman needs more than 12 hours to finish the weaving Each Faaborg Chair is unique – as each weaver has a personal signature style of weaving. Most people would not recognize it, but the weavers do. 500g of Indonesian wicker is used for each Faaborg Chair.
The extremely simple design and unity between structure, materials, and function set the chair apart from its predecessors. Today, the Faaborg Chair is regarded as a landmark design with a key place in Danish design history as the first modern design classic – handmade in Denmark by Carl Hansen & Søn on the island of Funen. Upholstering the Faaborg Chair is a production step that can only be mastered by our most skilled craftsmen. Each seat is made with the greatest precision and attention to detail.
Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store London,
48A Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP, 020 77308454
@carlhansenandson_london; carlhansen.com
