Frits Henningsen easy chairs

This pair of easy chairs, designed and produced by the Danish cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen in the 1940s, showcases a refined approach to traditional Scandinavian craftsmanship and form. The chairs exhibit Henningsen’s signature sensibility for elegant proportions, modest ornamentation, and high-quality materials.

The upholstery is executed in a rich original red wool fabric with a subtly textured weave, providing visual depth and warmth. The seat cushions are framed with double piping that follows the contours of the chairs, giving a well-defined, structured appearance. The chairs are distinguished by their gently flaring armrests and curved backrest, which lend a sense of comfort while maintaining formal restraint. A small array of buttons at the interior back adds a discreet detail without interrupting the overall purity of line.

The frames are constructed in solid wood, finished in black lacquer. The base consists of straight front legs and subtly curved rear legs, connected by an X-stretcher, reinforcing both stability and aesthetic presence. This structural feature is characteristic of Henningsen’s attention to durable yet elegant cabinetmaking.

Condition is good, with visible signs of wear consistent with age and use, especially at the armrests where the fabric shows softened edges and minor discoloration. The wool remains intact with its original hue, retaining the tactile and visual integrity that is typical of early-mid 20th-century upholstery.

Frits Henningsen, active primarily in the first half of the 20th century, was one of Denmark’s foremost cabinetmakers, known for his classical taste and preference for entirely handmade furniture. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Henningsen insisted on crafting all his pieces in-house, ensuring an uncompromised level of quality and finish.

The dimensions of each chair are 61.5 cm wide by 73 cm deep by 81.5 cm high (24.2 x 28.7 x 32.1 inches), with a seat height of 39 cm (15.4 inches).