Børge Mogensen’s designs are renowned for their subtlety, with an emphasis on strong structures and materials of the highest quality. These qualities are manifested in the Huntsman Chair, which was presented by the designer for the first time at the 1950 Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Furniture Exhibition in line with its ‘hunting cabin’ theme. This elegant design from Mogensen’s golden era will now join Carl Hansen & Søn’s collection of furniture classics – confirming its status as part of the history of the Golden Age of Danish Design.
The Huntsman Chair is an excellent example of Mogensen’s ambition to create high quality people-centered design that would last for generations. Through Mogensen’s choice of organic materials, the chair has a refined strength and a visual simplicity which is also characteristic of the era known today as Danish Modern.
The Huntsman Chair is characterized by a stringent and rational design which lets the materials speak for themselves – with his keen eye for detailed craftsmanship, Mogensen has created a piece of furniture that seamlessly combines aesthetics and comfort.
Mogensen’s training as a cabinet maker and his respect for materials are evident in every detail: in the Huntsman Chair’s soft, organic wooden frame; in its angled legs; and in its rounded embracing armrests as well as in the classic mortise and tenon joints with contrasting wooden wedges, which add extra strength to the chair’s joints. All of these are elements that demand precision craftsmanship.
The seat and backrest are made of saddle leather, which wraps around the wooden frame, held taut by buckles behind the back and under the seat – a characteristic design feature of Mogensen’s work. The saddle leather is carefully skived for a smooth transition between layers. The flexible top edge of the leather and the swiveling backrest, mounted on brass or stainless steel brackets, optimize comfort and enable flexible sitting positions.