Ib Madsen & Acton Schubell easy chairs

This rare matched pair of easy chairs was designed by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell and produced in Denmark during the 1950s. The set includes one high-back and one low-back chair, both constructed from dark-stained beechwood and newly reupholstered in natural sheepskin with leather button detailing. The contrasting materials underscore the organic and tactile qualities of the design.

The frames feature gently curved, sculptural elements with organically flowing armrests and supportive side stretchers, characteristic of Danish mid-century design. The legs taper subtly, and the exposed joinery highlights the hand-finished craftsmanship. The high-back chair offers extended upper support and a pronounced winged silhouette, while the low-back version maintains a similar language with a slightly reduced profile. Both chairs have a deep reclining angle intended to maximize comfort.

The upholstery is executed in lightly curled beige sheepskin, providing a soft tactile contrast to the dark wood. The original button tufting detail has been carefully replicated using natural leather buttons, preserving the aesthetic integrity while updating the materials to contemporary standards.

Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell were notable figures in Denmark’s postwar design movement, recognized for their refined ergonomic seating solutions. Their collaborative work combined modernist principles with traditional Scandinavian craftsmanship, emphasizing comfort, fluidity of form, and structural clarity.

The high-back chair measures 68 cm in width, 84 cm in depth, and 103 cm in height, while the low-back chair measures 68 cm wide, 84 cm deep, and 94 cm high. Both chairs have a seat height of 45 cm. In imperial units, the high-back chair is approximately 26.8 inches wide, 33.1 inches deep, and 40.6 inches high; the low-back chair is 26.8 inches wide, 33.1 inches deep, and 37 inches high. The seat height for both chairs is approximately 17.7 inches. This pair illustrates a thoughtful balance of form, comfort, and materiality emblematic of Danish mid-century modern seating.