Fritz Hansen.

Fritz Hansen

Fritz Hansen is one of the oldest still-active edition houses in Scandinavian furniture. Founded in 1872 in Copenhagen, it has produced for over 150 years pieces that, through collaborations with Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjærholm and Hans Wegner, have become reference points in modern design. LAPIERRE sources, authenticates and restores Fritz Hansen pieces from early Series 7 arrivals to original-leather Egg and Swan chairs for the Paris and European market.

Brand history

Fritz Hansen opened its workshop in Copenhagen in 1872 as a cabinetmaking studio. The founder earned his master cabinetmaker patent in 1887. In the late 19th and early 20th century the company specialised in steam-bent wood, then the dominant technique in seating, similar to the Thonet model in Central Europe. This mastery of moulded plywood would condition all subsequent development.

The modern turning point arrived in the early 1950s. Arne Jacobsen, then at the height of his influence, designed the Ant Chair in 1952 for Fritz Hansen — the first three-dimensionally moulded plywood chair to be mass-produced. The Series 7 followed in 1955, a four-leg evolution that became one of the great commercial successes of Scandinavian furniture: the company communicates that more than eight million units have been produced since launch.

In 1958, Jacobsen received the commission for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen and designed the Egg and the Swan — two enveloping armchairs with foam shells moulded over a steel structure. Both became the most iconic pieces in the catalogue. Fritz Hansen took over Poul Kjærholm's editions in 1982, previously produced by E. Kold Christensen, and gradually added Hans Wegner, Piet Hein, Kasper Salto, Cecilie Manz and Jaime Hayon. Production remains centralised in Allerød north of Copenhagen.

Signature pieces we source

Series 7 (model 3107). Moulded plywood shell on chromed steel base. The absolute bestseller, sought in teak, rosewood, ash or lacquered finishes. 1960s and 1970s pieces often display a more pronounced wood grain than recent productions.

Ant Chair (model 3100). Jacobsen's first stackable chair, three-legged in the original version then four. Sought in rosewood or teak for dining configurations.

Egg. Enveloping armchair on swivel cross-base in polished aluminium, foam shell on steel structure, leather or fabric upholstery. 1960s patinated black or cognac leather pieces command the highest values.

Swan. Lower than the Egg, designed for the reception zones of the SAS Royal Hotel. Foam shell on aluminium cross, leather or textile upholstery. Sought in black or cognac leather, or in original Hallingdal fabric.

PK22, PK24, PK31. Poul Kjærholm seating and lounge chairs in matte brushed steel, leather or wicker. Pre-1982 pieces produced by Kold Christensen carry a specific sought-after marking.

AJ Lamp. Table lamp, floor lamp and wall lamp designed by Jacobsen for the SAS Royal Hotel. Edited by Louis Poulsen rather than Fritz Hansen, but often associated with the same ecosystem.

Authenticating an original

Four points support authentication of a vintage Fritz Hansen piece. Marking: a Fritz Hansen stamp or label under the seat of chairs, under the base of the Egg and Swan, or stamped on the metal of the PK series. Logo style has evolved over time and helps with dating. Plywood and finish: on Series 7 and Ant chairs, plywood thickness and lacquer or stain quality are noticeably higher than common copies. Base: thick polished chromed steel on Jacobsen models, solid aluminium cross on Egg and Swan, specific brushed steel on Kjærholm pieces. Foam: original Egg and Swan foam shells retain a characteristic density and shape even after decades. A collapsed shell calls for foam replacement.

LAPIERRE process for this brand

The Fritz Hansen protocol at LAPIERRE distinguishes light chairs (Series 7, Ant) from enveloping armchairs (Egg, Swan, PK). For chairs, we check plywood, base chrome, marking, stability. For Egg, Swan and lounge chairs, we run a full check on the foam shell, upholstery and cross-base mechanics. If upholstery is too tired, we direct the client to a specialised recover workshop working in tanned leather or Hallingdal Kvadrat fabric. Kjærholm pieces are restored through leather waxing and careful brushed-steel polishing.

Request a search

Looking for a Series 7 in a rare finish, an Egg or Swan in original leather, or a patinated PK22? Write to LAPIERRE with your brief: exact model, finish, period, target condition, budget. Our team activates its sourcing network in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands and returns within a few days with a catalogue response.