Story
Fritz Hansen, founded in Copenhagen in 1872, stands as one of Denmark’s most influential and enduring furniture manufacturers. Its 150-year history has been shaped by an unwavering commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design. From its earliest years, the company distinguished itself through the use of steam-bent wood and by integrating traditional woodworking techniques with forward-thinking industrial production methods.
Beginning in the 1930s, Fritz Hansen entered a historic collaboration with Arne Jacobsen, resulting in some of the most iconic designs of the 20th century—including the Ant Chair, Series 7 Chair, Egg Chair, and Swan Chair. These works, celebrated for their molded plywood construction, organic forms, and remarkable balance of strength, lightness, and beauty, established Fritz Hansen as a global design leader.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the company expanded its legacy through its partnership with Poul Kjærholm. The PK22 chair, PK80 daybed, and other pieces combined steel with natural materials in a refined minimalist expression that came to define Kjærholm’s aesthetic. These designs achieved widespread use in public spaces, hotels, and offices, admired for their durability and understated elegance.
Fritz Hansen navigated the evolving design landscape of the 1970s and, in 1999, consolidated its identity under the brand “Republic of Fritz Hansen.” Since the 2000s, the company has simultaneously revived classic masterpieces and developed contemporary pieces in collaboration with leading designers such as Piero Lissoni, Jaime Hayon, and Nendo. In recent years, sustainability and environmental responsibility have become central pillars of the brand, reinforcing its status as a forward-looking global design institution. Today, Fritz Hansen’s presence extends beyond private homes into public, hospitality, and commercial environments around the world.
About
Year: 1872 – Present
President: Skanderup Jensen
Designer: Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjærholm, Jaime Hayon, Piero Lissoni, Nendo
Place: Copenhagen, Denmark
History
1872: Fritz Hansen is founded in Copenhagen and begins producing furniture using steam-bending techniques.
1885: Christian E. Hansen, son of the founder, joins the company.
1898: Produces seating for major public institutions, including the Aladdin Theatre.
1915: Supplies furniture for Copenhagen City Hall, strengthening its presence in the public sector.
1930: Begins collaboration with Arne Jacobsen.
1934: Jacobsen designs the Bellevue Chair.
1940: Continues domestic production during World War II.
1952: Introduces the Ant Chair, a lightweight molded-plywood design with three legs and stacking capability.
1955: Launches the Series 7 Chair, which becomes a global best-seller.
1956: Poul Kjærholm designs the PK22 chair.
1957: Kjærholm introduces the PK80 daybed.
1958: Unveils the Egg Chair, Swan Chair, and Drop Chair for the SAS Royal Hotel.
1960: Launches the Superellipse Table, a collaboration between Piet Hein, Bruno Mathsson, and Arne Jacobsen.
1961: Introduces the PK9 chair and PK24 chaise longue.
1965: Manufactures Werner Panton’s cantilevered chair prototype.
1970: Releases Kjærholm’s PK31 sofa and PK54 table.
1974: Following Jacobsen’s death, continues production and reissues of his major designs.
1979: PK25 lounge chair gains renewed international attention.
1980: Poul Kjærholm passes away; the company continues producing his entire collection.
1982: Provides furniture for international architectural projects, including those by Steven Holl.
1987: Series 7 chair surpasses 5 million units sold.
1993: Introduces expanded color options and new refinishing technologies.
1998: Celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Ant Chair with commemorative editions.
1999: Rebrands as the “Republic of Fritz Hansen.”
2000: Begins collaboration with Piero Lissoni, launching the Lissoni Sofa.
2002: Releases a 50th-anniversary limited edition of the Egg Chair.
2006: Jaime Hayon begins development of the Ro Chair.
2010: Cecilie Manz designs the Essay Table.
2014: Nendo introduces the N01 Chair.
2016: Limited-edition fabric collections released for the Egg and Swan chairs.
2018: Jaime Hayon introduces the Fri Chair and Favn Sofa.
2020: Reintroduces the Vico Duo Sofa by Vico Magistretti.
2022: Launches the 150th-anniversary collection.
2023: Introduces a new sustainable model of the Series 7 Chair.
Furniture
・Ant Chair
・Series 7 Chair
・Egg Chair
・Swan Chair
・Drop Chair
・PK22 Chair
・PK80 Daybed
・PK9 Chair
・PK24 Chaise Longue
・PK31 Sofa
・PK54 Table
・Superellipse Table
・N01 Chair
・Essay Table
・Ro Chair
・Fri Chair
・Favn Sofa