Scandinavian teak armchair by Glostrup Møbelfabrik

Armchair or carver chair in teak and synthetic leather, design by Svend Åge Eriksen for Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s.

The slightly widened and flattened armrest, subtly off-center, is a characteristic signature of Svend Åge Eriksen. The backrest extends naturally into the armrests in a continuous curve, offering the enveloping comfort typical of Scandinavian furniture.

• Excellent condition, perfectly stable and comfortable.
• The teak elements have been renovated by our restorer.
• H 77 cm x D 54 cm x W 62 cm.
• Seat height 45 CM.

An armchair designed for multiple uses

Halfway between a Scandinavian chair and a small occasional armchair, this seat designed by Svend Åge Eriksen possesses the characteristic versatility of Danish furniture from the 1960s. Around a dining table, its armrests give it more presence than a classic chair; placed in front of a desk, it naturally becomes a comfortable task chair without taking up the volume of a full-sized lounge chair.

This dual function relies on a construction that is ultimately very simple. The upholstered seat and backrest ensure comfort, while the teak structure remains entirely visible. The backrest extends into the armrests in a continuous curve that naturally supports the upper body. Few elements, no unnecessary effects: ergonomics here arise directly from the design of the structure.

The armrest, a Svend Åge Eriksen signature

The detail deserves close observation. At its end, the armrest widens slightly, flattens, and subtly shifts away from its support. This small break in an otherwise very fluid line gives it character and constitutes one of the details found in the vocabulary of Svend Åge Eriksen’s seating.

The slightly widened and flattened armrest, subtly off-center, is a characteristic signature of Svend Åge Eriksen.

Viewed from the side, the armchair reveals another peculiarity. Its silhouette is strikingly sharp: the angled backrest and seat, the distinct void under the armrests, and the tapered compass legs compose a succession of clean lines. This rather “cut” profile visually lightens the seat and contrasts with the much softer curves visible when viewed from the front.

The sharply defined silhouette of the GM 11 chair is revealed in profile.

It is precisely this opposition that makes the design so interesting: a structure that is almost graphic when viewed laterally, but much more enveloping once you sit in it.

Svend Åge Eriksen belongs to that generation of Danish designers whose work is closely linked to post-war furniture manufacturers. His collaboration with Glostrup Møbelfabrik is particularly well-documented at the turn of the 1960s: he is notably responsible for the “Pingvin” armchairs as well as various seats in the GM series, which are widely recognized today.

His furniture generally favors a very legible wooden structure, sculpted armrests, and particular attention to the relationship between the body’s position and the seat’s design. An approach that fully corresponds to the golden age of 1960s furniture in Denmark.

An original Danish teak edition

This piece is an original Glostrup Møbelfabrik edition from the late 1960s, identifiable by its label preserved under the seat. Its structure is made of teak and the seat retains its original wool fabric.

The woodwork has been carefully restored in our restoration workshop, while preserving the character and vintage materials of the armchair.

With a width of 62 cm, a depth of 53 cm, and a seat height of 46 cm, its proportions allow for daily use both around a dining table and at a desk.

An armchair that perfectly summarizes the efficiency of Danish design from this period: few elements, an immediately understandable construction, but significant work in the proportions, curves, and points of contact with the body.