Model 3107 chair
Encyclopedia
The Model 3107 chair is one of the most popular chairs in Danish design
history. It was designed by Arne Jacobsen
, using a new technique in which plywood could be bent in two dimensions. Over 5 million units have been produced exclusively by Fritz Hansen
ever since its invention in 1955. It is also the most copied chair in the world.
Being a "copy" itself contributes some irony to that fact. The chair, along with the Jacobsen's Ant chair
, was, according to Jacobsen himself, inspired by a chair made by the husband and wife design team of Charles and Ray Eames
.
The chair comes with a number of different undercarriges - both as a regular four-legged chair, an office-chair with five wheels and as a barstool. It comes with armrests, a writing-table attached, and different forms of upholstering. To some extent, these additions mar the simple aesthetics of the chair, while contributing practical elements.
The chair is widely believed to have been used in Lewis Morley
's iconic photograph of Christine Keeler
; however, the chair used in this photograph was in fact an imitation and not the original Jacobsen model. After the publishing of the pictures sales rose dramatically.
Numerous images in print media have been made with a celebrity mimicking the pose, notably David Frost and a pop single cover of the Spice Girls
.
– The Keeler chair compared with the Model 3107
Danish design
Danish Design is a term often used to describe a style of functionalistic design and architecture that was developed in mid-20th century. Influenced by the German Bauhaus school, many Danish designers used the new industrial technologies, combined with ideas of simplicity and functionalism to...
history. It was designed by Arne Jacobsen
Arne Jacobsen
Arne Emil Jacobsen, usually known as Arne Jacobsen, was a Danish architect and designer. He is remembered for contributing so much to architectural Functionalism as well as for the worldwide success he enjoyed with simple but effective chair designs.-Early life and education:Arne Jacobsen was born...
, using a new technique in which plywood could be bent in two dimensions. Over 5 million units have been produced exclusively by Fritz Hansen
Fritz Hansen
Fritz Hansen, also known as Republic of Fritz Hansen is a Danish furniture design company. Designers who have worked for Fritz Hansen include: Arne Jacobsen , Poul Kjærholm , Hans J. Wegner , and Piet Hein...
ever since its invention in 1955. It is also the most copied chair in the world.
Being a "copy" itself contributes some irony to that fact. The chair, along with the Jacobsen's Ant chair
Ant (chair)
The Ant chair is a classic of modern chair design.It was designed in 1952 by Arne Jacobsen for use in the canteen of the Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk. The Ant was named for its approximate similarity to the outline of an ant with its head raised.The chair was designed to be light,...
, was, according to Jacobsen himself, inspired by a chair made by the husband and wife design team of Charles and Ray Eames
Charles and Ray Eames
Charles Ormond Eames, Jr and Bernice Alexandra "Ray" Eames were American designers, who worked in and made major contributions to modern architecture and furniture. They also worked in the fields of industrial and graphic design, fine art and film.-Charles Eames:Charles Eames, Jr was born in...
.
The chair comes with a number of different undercarriges - both as a regular four-legged chair, an office-chair with five wheels and as a barstool. It comes with armrests, a writing-table attached, and different forms of upholstering. To some extent, these additions mar the simple aesthetics of the chair, while contributing practical elements.
The chair is widely believed to have been used in Lewis Morley
Lewis Morley
Lewis Morley, born in Hong Kong, 1925, to English and Chinese parents, is a photographer. He was interned in Stanley Internment Camp during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong between 1941 and 1945, when he was released and went to the United Kingdom with his family. He studied at Twickenham Art...
's iconic photograph of Christine Keeler
Christine Keeler
Christine Margaret Keeler is an English former model and showgirl. Her involvement with a British government minister discredited the Conservative government of Harold Macmillan in 1963, in what is known as the Profumo Affair....
; however, the chair used in this photograph was in fact an imitation and not the original Jacobsen model. After the publishing of the pictures sales rose dramatically.
Numerous images in print media have been made with a celebrity mimicking the pose, notably David Frost and a pop single cover of the Spice Girls
Who Do You Think You Are
"Who Do You Think You Are" is a dance-pop song performed by British pop group Spice Girls. It was written by the group members with Paul Wilson and Andy Watkins,—also known as Absolute—for the group's debut album Spice, released in November 1996. The song is heavily influenced by early 1990s...
.
External links
– The Keeler chair compared with the Model 3107