Erik Ole Jørgensen easy chairs

This very rare pair of easy chairs, model BO 360, was designed by Erik Ole Jørgensen and produced by Bovirke in Denmark in 1953. The design marks an early and experimental phase in Danish modern seating, merging industrial materials with sculptural form and an organic, loose aesthetic.

The chairs feature a three-legged base constructed from chromed tubular steel, supporting a suspended suede sling that forms both the seat and backrest. The seat is shaped like a deep, inverted dome that contours closely to the body, tensioned with visible leather laces threaded through steel eyelets along the edges. The suede interior has aged to a warm, rich brown with a soft, textured surface. An adjustable fabric-covered headrest in a brick red tone is suspended by leather cords and counterbalanced with solid rosewood spheres, allowing users to reposition the support as desired.

The design is notable for its striking balance between functional engineering and visual lightness. The open steel frame contrasts with the enveloping softness of the suede sling, creating a dynamic interplay of tension and comfort. The exposed structural elements and visible lacing reflect postwar Danish experimentation with transparency, adaptability, and material expression.

Erik Ole Jørgensen (1925–2002) trained as an upholsterer before studying design at the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen. His work focused on the relationship between soft materials and structural clarity, particularly in seating. The BO 360 stands as one of his most significant early designs and was produced by Bovirke, a Danish manufacturer known for fostering innovative, limited-production works by designers like Finn Juhl and Jørgensen himself. With Bovirke ceasing operations in the mid-1960s, pieces from their early catalog have become increasingly rare.

These chairs remain in good unrestored condition. The suede shows expected wear, patina, and some discoloration consistent with age and use, while the chromed steel frames retain their original finish with minor oxidation. The headrests and leather cords are intact, and the overall structure is stable.

Each chair measures 78 cm wide, 90 cm deep, and 86 cm high, approximately 30.7 inches by 35.4 inches by 33.9 inches, with a seat height of 32 cm (12.6 inches).