The First Danish Modern Design Classic Turns 110 Years – The Faaborg Chair by Kaare Klint

IN 1914, KAARE KLINT DESIGNED THE FAABORG CHAIR FOR FAABORG MUSEUM, AND SINCE THEN, THE CHAIR HAS PROVED TO BE THE FIRST MODERN DANISH DESIGN CLASSIC. THIS YEAR, THE ICONIC FAABORG CHAIR TURNS 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.