'Oxford' Highback Swivel Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1968, Signed

Details

Description

A highly collectible set of six early production Oxford high-back swivel chairs designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz … Read more A highly collectible set of six early production Oxford high-back swivel chairs designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz Hansen, Denmark. Five of the six chairs retain their original early production labels dating to 1968, placing them among the first years of manufacture of this iconic modernist design and making them especially desirable for collectors and design historians.

Note - we have six chairs available, priced in this listing individually.

Originally commissioned for the professors of St. Catherine’s College, Oxford, the Oxford chair stands as one of Arne Jacobsen’s most refined and architectural seating designs, embodying the principles of Scandinavian Modernism and Danish Modern design at their most sophisticated. The tall, sculptural high backs were conceived to create a sense of privacy and contemplation within academic and executive environments, while the elegant swivel base introduced both functionality and modern technological precision. Over time, the Oxford chair has become a cornerstone of mid-century modern and modernist interiors, widely used in executive offices, boardrooms, conference spaces, and architecturally significant residences.

This particular set features the desirable high-back variation upholstered in its original warm cognac-toned leather, now beautifully timeworn with a rich, authentic patina that reflects decades of use. The leather shows notable distress and wear consistent with age, offering a compelling candidate for restoration or reupholstery depending on the collector’s vision. Many designers and collectors value the honesty and character of original worn leather, while others may choose to reupholster to suit a bespoke interior while preserving the integrity of the early frames and bases. Each chair retains its original cast aluminum four-star swivel base and all swivel mechanisms are functioning smoothly.

Elegant and architectural, the Oxford chair bridges Danish Modern, Mid-Century Modern, and modernist design movements, pairing seamlessly with executive desks, conference tables, or as statement seating within contemporary residential interiors. The tall silhouette and sculptural form also complement interiors featuring designers such as Eero Saarinen, Florence Knoll, Hans Wegner, and Paul McCobb, while maintaining a distinctly Jacobsen identity rooted in disciplined Scandinavian minimalism.

As an early labeled set from the late 1960s, produced within the first years following the Oxford chair’s introduction, these examples represent an increasingly scarce opportunity to acquire an authentic and historically significant group of Jacobsen seating. Ideal for collectors of Danish modern design, architects, or design-forward offices and studios, this set offers both investment quality and the chance to restore or preserve a true icon of 20th-century design history.

MEASUREMENTS:
H 50" x W 21" x D 20"
Seat Height: 17.5"
Seat Depth: 17"

CONDITION:
Chairs have major age and wear including tears, scuffs and patina throughout. Would benefit from reupholstery however they are ideal candidates for new leather or fabric as 5 of the 6 chairs have early production year labels giving them a lot of collector appeal. Or keep as-is in a design collection or museum. Swivel mechanism is in working order. See less