Aksel Bender Madsen & Ejner Larsen easy chair

This rare armchair was designed by the Danish design duo Aksel Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen and produced by the master cabinetmaker Willy Beck in Denmark in 1965. The chair exemplifies core Scandinavian modernist ideals through its precise craftsmanship, material authenticity, and understated elegance.

The frame is crafted from solid teak, exhibiting warm reddish-brown tones and a finely grained surface. The legs are tapered and cylindrical, subtly flaring outward to create a balanced visual proportion between the seat and backrest. The teak remains in excellent condition, preserving its original finish with only minimal surface wear and no structural damage.

The seat and backrest are upholstered in the original black leather, which is smoothly integrated around the internal wooden frame. The leather shows moderate patina, including natural creasing and light signs of use, especially on the seat cushion, but remains free from cracks or repairs. The upholstery contributes to clean, continuous lines, with a taut surface across the gently curved backrest.

The chair’s silhouette is characterized by soft geometric forms, featuring a slightly reclined backrest, low-set arms, and a broad, enveloping seat. A horizontal lumbar indentation on the backrest adds both visual articulation and ergonomic support, reflecting the designers’ cabinetmaking background and their meticulous focus on the relationship between form and function.

Aksel Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen were influential figures in Danish modern design, noted for their restrained yet elegant creations. Their collaboration with highly skilled cabinetmakers like Willy Beck ensured an architectural clarity and a focus on comfort that defined their work.

Willy Beck was one of Denmark’s most esteemed cabinetmakers, recognized for small-batch, high-quality furniture productions that showcased traditional joinery and finishing techniques. Pieces produced under his craftsmanship are prized by collectors and institutions for their constructional integrity and fidelity to design.

The chair measures 71 cm in width, 67 cm in depth, and 87 cm in height, with a seat height of 40 cm. In imperial measurements, this is approximately 28 inches wide, 26.4 inches deep, 34.3 inches high, and a seat height of 15.7 inches. Its compact yet generous proportions make it suitable as a standalone piece or paired with other mid-century Scandinavian furniture.