Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius sofas

Each sofa is constructed around a sharply defined, slightly reclined seating structure supported by an elegant steel base. The frame follows the angular transition between the seat and backrest, creating a continuous geometric profile that emphasizes the design’s structural clarity. The polished steel supports extend into slender, horizontal feet, giving the sofas a light, almost floating appearance despite their substantial leather upholstery. Carefully positioned visible fasteners reinforce the technical character of the construction, while the exposed edges of the supporting structure reveal the designers’ attention to the relationship between materials and form.

The seating consists of two generously proportioned seat cushions and two separate back cushions, upholstered in original cognac-brown leather. The cushions rest directly within the angular frame, following its gently reclined geometry and creating a relaxed seating position. Their soft, naturally creased surfaces provide a deliberate contrast to the crisp, polished metal structure. The leather has developed a rich and varied patina over time, with subtle tonal differences, natural wrinkles, and traces of wear that emphasize its age and authenticity. The warm brown upholstery complements the cool metallic finish of the steel, creating a balanced composition of softness and precision.

Jørgen Kastholm (1931–2007) and Preben Fabricius (1931–1984) were among the most significant Danish furniture designers of the 1960s. Both trained as cabinetmakers before studying at the School of Interior Design in Copenhagen, where they developed a shared interest in furniture construction, material quality, and functional design. They established their design partnership in 1961, producing a series of highly refined furniture designs that combined the craftsmanship of Danish furniture traditions with the industrial possibilities of steel and leather.

Unlike many of their contemporaries, who primarily worked with solid wood and traditional cabinetmaking techniques, Kastholm and Fabricius frequently explored the expressive potential of metal structures. Their designs are characterized by precise proportions, clearly articulated construction, and an almost architectural approach to furniture. They believed that furniture should be reduced to its essential elements, allowing the quality of the materials and the logic of the construction to define its appearance. This philosophy is particularly evident in the BO-582, where the exposed steel framework and simple upholstered surfaces form a carefully balanced whole.

BO-EX was a Danish furniture manufacturer associated with the production of modern furniture during the 1960s. The company’s collaboration with Kastholm and Fabricius resulted in designs that reflected the period’s growing interest in industrial materials, structural transparency, and refined minimalist forms. The BO-582 sofas embody these qualities through their low proportions, carefully engineered bases, and distinctive combination of leather and steel.

The pair is in good vintage condition, with signs of age and use consistent with its period. The original leather displays a beautiful, naturally developed patina, including visible creasing, surface marks, and variations in color that contribute to the sofas’ character. The steel frames retain their clean architectural appearance, with minor traces of wear. Together, the sofas form a striking and increasingly uncommon example of Danish modernist seating from the 1960s.

Each sofa measures 152 cm (59.8 in) in width, 80 cm (31.5 in) in depth, and 70 cm (27.6 in) in height, with a seat height of 37 cm (14.6 in).