Rare Jens Harald Quistgaard Set of Four Sculptural Dining Chairs in Oak

Jens Harald Quistgaard for Richard Nissen, set of four dining chairs, oak, suede, Langå, Denmark, 1964

Danish sculptor and designer Jens Harald Quistgaard (1919-2008) is particularly known for designing kitchenware and tableware. Although consisting of a smaller amount, his oeuvre incorporates home furnishings of excellent quality. These chairs are a great example of Quistgaard's brilliance and great craftsmanship. By designing this armchair, Quistgaard aligned himself with Danish furniture architects like Finn Juhl and Hans J. Wegner, who have, for over two centuries, designed furniture characterized by its curved top rail. The roots of this chair can be found in the ancient Klismos design, with a backrest that curves into armrests to envelop the sitter. He acknowledged the dual influence of the Klismos chair and classical Chinese designs from the 17th and 18th centuries, the latter reflected particularly in the supporting bars of the lower frame. Highlighting the antique chair as inspiration, he explained, "I suppose that the reason I find this chair so interesting is mainly that it suits the human body so incomparably well".

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the armchair's top rail is a circular assembly of three wooden pieces, joined with finger joints to create a seamless flow. The backrest, tallest at its center, gently curves inward, blending into armrests through an elegant, fluid transition. The legs, however, are the chair’s defining sculptural element. Unlike conventional tapered legs, Quistgaard's design culminates in distinctive conical “elephant’s feet,” lending the chair an organic presence. This naturalistic influence extends to the entire frame, with its smooth, curvilinear forms and absence of strict angles. Typical of Quistgaard’s work, the chair’s design features graceful, flowing lines that evoke natural forms. The armchair was crafted in limited quantities at Richard Nissen's factory in Langaa. It was never sold commercially and was made exclusively to order.
Please note that we advise reupholstery before use. This item contains threadbare upholstery with stains and discoloration. Reupholstery can be done before shipping by our experienced craftspeople in our own in-house restoration atelier. With high attention for the original, they make sure every piece contains its value and is ready for the many years to come. We kindly ask you to contact our design experts for further information about the endless possibilities our restoration and upholstery atelier has to offer. Of course, a locally organized reupholstery is possible as well.

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