Jens H. Quistgaard Pair of Safari Stick ‘Stokke’ Chairs, 1966
(sold as a pair)
Jens H. Quistgaard Pair of Safari Stick ‘Stokke’ Chairs, 1966
Pair of "Stokke" stick Lounge/easy Chairs in Suede and Rio Rosewood by Jens Quistgaard for Nissen, Denmark 1966
Rare and timeless, these ‘Stick’ easy chairs, designed in 1966 by Jens Harald Quistgaard and produced by Richard Nissen Langaa, showcase masterful minimalism. The chairs derive their name from the distinctive Rio-rosewood sticks that form their elegant frames. This design, known as the Stick or ‘Stokke’ chair, has garnered admiration since its debut for its simple yet ingenious design.
The Rio-rosewood frame features a beautiful grain colouration and pattern. Curved metal connectors link the rosewood sticks, bearing a beautiful patina that has developed over time. The seat and backrest retain their original suede leather upholstery, enhancing the chair’s vintage appeal.
This Stokke (stick) Armchair draws inspiration from colonial safari chairs used in the field, known for their collapsible and portable nature, as is this chair. This chair is held together without screws, brackets, or joints, relying instead on internal tension. The tapered wooden poles slot into metal bars, and the seat and backrest lock the structure together, allowing tool-free assembly in minutes, like the safari chairs of old.
This design typifies Danish Functionalism, a movement of the 1960s that focused on functionality over all else. The design is also reminiscent of the sails of a ship, with its design based on structural tension, merging Quistgaard’s vision with the principles of Danish design.
Designer: Jens Quistgaard
Manufacturer: Richard Nissen Langaa
Year: 1966
Model: Conical stick chairs.
Dimensions: Height: 73 / Width: 66 / Depth: 70 / Seat height: 29 cm
Materials: Frame of chromed frame, and sticks of rio rosewood, suede leather.
The Danish Museum of Art & Design, Furniture collection 106/2002
Condition:
The chairs are from the 60s and appear with patina, however, in very good condition with their age taken into account.
The seat & backrest bear their original suede leather upholstery which is still in good condition and has been professionally cleaned.
Jens Quistgaard (1919–2008) was a Danish designer whose work epitomized Scandinavian Modern design. After apprenticing under Georg Jensen, he evolved from a draughtsman and relief-maker into a sculptural designer.
Quistgaard aimed to create beautiful, functional objects for everyday use. For many years, he was the leading—and often sole—designer for Dansk International Designs, a company that grew into a global enterprise, deeply influenced by his distinctive style. Today, his designs may seem almost familiar, but they were groundbreaking and original in their time. He was awarded the Lunning Prize in 1954.
The postwar-era work of Danish sculptor and designer Jens Harald Quistgaard remains highly popular in living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens across the United States, Europe, and Japan, especially among mid-century design enthusiasts. For 30 years, Quistgaard crafted distinctive serving pieces and barware for Dansk Designs, producing striking Scandinavian modernist designs that seamlessly combined function with sophisticated form.
Quistgaard’s designs have received numerous awards and are featured in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Louvre, and the Museum of Modern Art.
We try to capture the condition of our items in our photographs as best as possible. Prior to dispatch all items are carefully cleaned and re-coated with danish oil to ensure your item is looking its best when delivered.
