Stacking Chairs

Stacking Chairs

One of the most celebrated designers of modern chairs in the second half of the 20th century, Panton was renowned for his experimentation with materials and form. He also designed interiors, lighting, and textiles as well as experimental housing such as the 1957 Cardboard House and 1960 Spherical House. After training as an architectural engineer at the Odense Technical School (1944-7) he studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen (1947-51), followed by a spell in Arne Jacobsen's architectural offices between 1950 and 1952. Three years later he set up his own studio (first in Denmark, from 1955 to 1962, briefly in France and then Switzerland, from 1962) and began a series of experimental chairs. His progressive reputation was furthered by his display of the Applied Arts section of the Fredericia Furniture Show of 1958 where furniture was shown hanging from the ceiling of the stand. After a series of striking furniture designs such as the Cone chair of 1958, the Heart chair of 1959, and the Wire Cone chair of 1960 (all for Plus-linje in Copenhagen) he came to international attention with his 1960 elegantly curved, cantilevered stacking Panton chair.

Stacking Chairs

Stacking Chairs

Stacking Chairs

Stacking Chairs

Stacking Chairs

Stacking Chairs

Stacking Chairs

Stacking Chairs

Stacking Chairs