About
Lifespan: 1907–1989
Birthplace: North Jutland, Denmark
Manufacturers: Madsen & Schubell, Vik & Blindheim, Bovenkamp, Audo Copenhagen (reissue)
Story
Arnold Madsen (1907–1989) was a Danish upholsterer and furniture designer born in North Jutland. As a young man he went to sea as a sailor, then emigrated to Canada with his father and three brothers, where he also worked as a cowboy and rodeo rider. After returning to Denmark, he settled in Copenhagen, trained as a furniture upholsterer, and opened his first workshop in 1941.
In 1944, Madsen developed the Clam Chair (Muslingestolen) from a small plaster model and asked cabinetmaker Henry Schubell to realise its wooden frame. Schubell’s ability to translate the model into a workable frame led to their collaboration, and in 1945 the pair established Madsen & Schubell.
Madsen had no formal architectural or furniture-design education. His approach grew instead from upholstery, physical prototyping, and direct experimentation with materials and construction. His work explored rounded shells, fully upholstered forms, and combinations of wood, steel, and plywood. The Clam Chair and the Oda Chair from around 1956 are the best documented examples. Both were misattributed for years—the Clam Chair to Philip Arctander and the Oda Chair to Nanna Ditzel—before archival research and surviving evidence restored Madsen’s authorship.
Madsen & Schubell produced furniture from 1945 into the mid-1960s. The Clam Chair was licensed to Norway’s Vik & Blindheim, while several Madsen & Schubell models were manufactured in the Netherlands by Bovenkamp. After the partnership with Henry Schubell ended in 1963, Madsen continued an upholstery business with his son Ib Madsen under the name Madsen og Schubell.
History & Works
1907 (Age 0)
Born in North Jutland, Denmark.
Early life
Worked as a sailor, emigrated to Canada with his father and three brothers, then returned to Copenhagen and trained as a furniture upholsterer.
1941
Opened his first workshop in Copenhagen.
1944
Designed the Clam Chair (Muslingestolen). Henry Schubell developed the wooden frame from Madsen’s plaster model, beginning their collaboration. The chair was shown the same year in connection with the opening of NY FORM A/S in Copenhagen.
1945
Founded Madsen & Schubell with Henry Schubell and began furniture production.
1953
Licensed production of the Clam Chair to the Norwegian company Vik & Blindheim.
c. 1956
Designed the Oda Chair, originally known as Model 9.
1963
Ended the partnership with Henry Schubell. Continued an upholstery business with his son Ib Madsen under the name Madsen og Schubell.
1989
Died.
2020
The Oda Chair was formally reattributed to Arnold Madsen, correcting its earlier attribution to Nanna Ditzel.
Furniture
Clam Chair / Muslingestolen
Oda Chair / Model 9
Oda Ottoman
References
Audo Copenhagen, Arnold Madsen.
Audo Copenhagen, Oda Lounge Chair.
Dagmar, The Clam Chair: The History of Arnold Madsen and the Muslingstol.
Dorotheum, Clam Armchair attributed to Arnold Madsen.