Verner Panton introduced the word “groovy” — or at least its Danish equivalent — into the Scandinavian modern design lexicon. He developed fantastical, futuristic forms and embraced bright colors and new materials such as plastic, fabric-covered polyurethane foam and steel-wire framing for the creation of his chairs, sofas, floor lamps and other furnishings. And Panton’s ebullient Pop art sensibility made him an international design star of the 1960s and ’70s. This radical departure from classic Danish modernism, however, actually stemmed from his training under the greats of that design style.
Born on the largely rural Danish island of Funen, Panton studied architecture and engineering at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where the lighting designer Poul Henningsen was one of his teachers. After graduating, in 1951, Panton worked in the architectural office of Arne Jacobsen, and he became a close friend of Hans Wegner's.
Henningsen taught a scientific approach to design; Jacobsen was forever researching new materials; and Wegner, the leader in modern furniture design using traditional woodworking and joinery, encouraged experimental form.
Panton opened his own design office in 1955, issuing tubular steel chairs with woven seating. His iconoclastic aesthetic was announced with his 1958 Cone chair, modified a year later as the Heart Cone chair. Made of upholstered sheet metal and with a conical base in place of legs, the design shocked visitors to a furniture trade show in Copenhagen.
Panton went on to successive bravura technical feats. His curving, stackable Panton chair, his most popular design, was the first chair to be made from a single piece of molded plastic.
Panton had been experimenting with ideas for chairs made of a single material since the late 1950s. He debuted his plastic seat for the public in the design magazine Mobilia in 1967 and then at the 1968 Cologne Furniture Fair. The designer’s S-Chair models 275 and 276, manufactured during the mid-1960s by August Sommer and distributed by the bentwood specialists at Gebrüder Thonet, were the first legless chairs crafted from a single piece of plywood.
Panton would spend the latter half of the 1960s and early ’70s developing all-encompassing room environments composed of sinuous and fluid-formed modular seating made of foam and metal wire. He also created a series of remarkable lighting designs, most notably his Fun chandeliers — introduced in 1964 and composed of scores of shimmering capiz-shell disks — and the Space Age VP Globe pendant light of 1969.
Panton’s designs are made to stand out and put an eye-catching exclamation point on even the most modern decor.
Find vintage Verner Panton chairs, magazine racks, rugs, table lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Verner Panton Original "Relaxer 2" Rocking Chair by Rosenthal, 1970s
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid-Century Modern rocking chair " Relaxer II " by famous Danish designer Verner Panton and manufactured by Rosenthal Einrichtung in Germany, 1970s. The chair is in original conditi...
Fabric, Wood
' Relaxer 2 ' Rocking Chairs by Verner Panton
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in Brussels, BE
Verner Panton's Relaxe 2 is one of his innovative piece of furniture that embodies mid-century modern design with a playful twist. His width of 100 cm makes the Relaxer 2 even more c...
Fabric, Beech
Verner Panton Relaxer II Rocking Chair by Rosenthal with new upholstered Leather
By Rosenthal, Verner Panton
Located in Berlin, DE
Verner Panton "Relaxer II" rocking chair, designed for Rosenthal Einrichtung, Germany, 1974. Reupholstered in brown leather. The black stained beech frame shows light wear consistent...
Leather, Wood
$2,450 / set
H 31.89 in W 18.12 in D 23.63 in
Panton S, Chairs Vitra by Verner Panton for Herman Miller 1965s
By Verner Panton
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good condition - cleaned.
Laminate
$5,493 / set
H 28.35 in W 35.44 in D 25.6 in
An Original Dondolo Rocking Chair by Luigi Crassevig, Italy, 1970s
By Luigi Crassevig
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Dondolo rocking chair by Luigi Crassevig, Italy, 1970s. Bentwood and original cane. We only have a single chair available. The price is for the single chair. Fast ...
Cane, Wood
Rocking Chair by Tendo Mokko Japan
By Tendo Mokko
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Heron rocking chair and matching footrest / ottoman designed by Mitsuwasa Sugasawa made of bent laminated oak and manufactured by Tendo Mokko Japan. Great example of Japanese mid century design...
Oak
$48,400
H 37.5 in W 32.25 in D 41.5 in
Vladimir Kagan Rocking Chair Upholstered in Champagne Ivory Peruvian Alpaca
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Iconic Vladimir Kagan walnut rocker newly upholstered in the softest hide on Earth - Champagne Ivory Alpaca. Most certainly an important acquisition for any discerning and sophisticated collector, this beautiful Vladimir Kagan Rocking Chair is constructed of curved walnut with a rich grain. Look at that gorgeous silhouette. The angled back and seat feature an ergonomic design that aligns you in perfect comfort and relieves pressure points. Scrolled curved cushions are symmetrical and are designed to gently support the back of your knees and neck. This Vladimir Kagan Rocker...
Hide, Alpaca, Walnut
Verner Panton Cone Chair
By Plus-Linje, Verner Panton
Located in Highland, IN
A Classic Panton design, the cone chair is petite, sculptural, playful and surprisingly comfortable. This vintage example is newly upholstered in a brick red fabric with a nice weave.
Steel
Exceptional Rocking Chair by Thonet
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This old authentic rocking chair was designed Michael Thonet and manufactured by Thonet. It was in the catalogue of 1904. It is a design classic. This dark brown rocking chair is in very good vintage condition with normal signs of age and use. The chair is stamped. Take your chance to get this Thonet collector’s item. Michael Thonet (1796-1871) was a German-Austrian cabinet maker, known for the invention of bentwood furniture, which ment the beginning of Modern Design. Le Corbusier used Thonet chairs...
Bentwood
$3,375
H 41 in W 21 in D 37 in
Original Gustav Siegel Bentwood Rocking Chair / Lounge, Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in New York City, NY
A fabulous and important original Vienna workshop, bentwood rocker, model# 824, Schaukel Fauteuils by designer Gustav Siegel, manufactured by Jacob & Josef Kohn, Austria 1905 Illust...
Bentwood
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet in excellent original codnition.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Verner Panton Amoebe Chair by Vitra
By Verner Panton
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Amoebe Chair by Verner Panton, designed in the 70s. Labeled
Fabric
Italian Rocking Chair Model 572 By Cassina
By Cassina
Located in London, GB
An incredible and very rare rocking chair (has been attributed to Gio Ponti in the past and shows a strong and striking resemblance to his designs) in walnut, rubber and fabric for C...
Steel
$1,627
H 38.59 in W 31.5 in D 37.41 in
Brutalist pine rocking lounge chair with leather seat by Wasa 1984
Located in Zaandam, NL
Pine rocking chair originally designed in the 1970s according to some but this one is Cleary marked 1984 by Wasa ( Germany ). The chair is ingrate condition with only some minimal we...
Leather, Pine
Rare Rocking Chair by François Turpin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare painted metal rocking chair with canvas sling by François Turpin. Made in France circa 1930s. Bibliography: Pierre Migennes, "Les meubles de ja...
Metal
Verner Panton Relaxer II Rocking Chair by Rosenthal
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Verner Panton "Relaxer II" rocking chair, designed for Rosenthal Einrichtung, Germany, 1974. Reupholstered in brown leather. The beech frame shows light wear consistent with age. Dim...
Wood, Leather
Sold
H 30.71 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Tandem Relaxer Rocking Chair 2for2 by Verner Panton for Rosenthal, Germany
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in Halle, DE
Tandem Relaxer rocking chair by famous Danish designer Verner Panton. Manufactured by Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany, 1974. This rocking chair is...
Beech
Sold
H 31.5 in W 24.41 in D 39.38 in
'Relaxer 2' Rocking Chair by Verner Panton for Rosenthal Studio-Line, 1974
By Rosenthal, Verner Panton
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original Verner Panton Relaxer. Designed in 1974 and manufactured by Rosenthal Studio-line in Germany. Labeled. Beech wood solid frame with cushion in original yellow cotton fabric. ...
Upholstery, Beech
Verner Panton “Relaxer” Mid Century Rocking Chair
By Verner Panton
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Verner Panton “Relaxer” Mid Century Rocking Chair for Rosenthal. Original leather cushion
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 33.86 in W 24.41 in D 35.44 in
Verner Panton Relaxer II Rocking Chair, 1970s - Dedar Milano bouclé fabric
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in Renens, CH
Relaxer II rocking chair designed by Verner Panton, produced by Rosenthal, Germany during the 1970s. The rocking chair consists of a black lacquered wooden curved structure with a f...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 30.5 in W 57.25 in D 37 in
Verner Panton 'Relaxer II for 2' Rocking Lounge Chair with New Custom Cushion
By Verner Panton
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
We love this piece! Verner Panton loved a good futuristic design. We've seen many of the single rockers for one person. This double rocker is supreme. We...
Leather, Beech
Sold
H 33.86 in W 24.41 in D 35.44 in
Verner Panton Original "Relaxer 2" Rocking Chair by Rosenthal, 1970s
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid-Century Modern rocking chair " Relaxer II " by famous Danish designer Verner Panton and manufactured by Rosenthal Einrichtung in Germany, 1970s. The chair is in original condi...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 33.86 in W 24.41 in D 35.44 in
Verner Panton Set of 2 "Relaxer 2" Rocking Chairs by Rosenthal, 1970s
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid-Century Modern set of the pair rocking chairs " Relaxer II " by famous Danish designer Verner Panton and manufactured by Rosenthal Einrichtung in Germany,...
Fabric, Wood
1990s Vintage Verner Panton Atrributed "Dondolo" Chair
By Verner Panton, Ycami Collection
Located in Chicago, IL
for Ycami Edizioni c. 1990s. The fabric is a lovely chenille that's in excellent condition. There are no maker's marks.
Metal
Sold
H 32.29 in W 39.38 in D 24.81 in
'Relaxer 2' Rocking Chair by Verner Panton for Rosenthal, Germany 1970s
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in Ranst, VAN
Nice “Relaxer 2” rocking chair designed by Verner Panton for Rosenthal in the 70s. The cushion is reupholstered in a very soft cream beige fabric.
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 39.38 in D 35.44 in
Tandem Relaxer 2for2 Rocking Chair by Verner Panton for Rosenthal, Germany
By Rosenthal, Verner Panton
Located in Halle, DE
Tandem Relaxer rocking chair by famous Danish designer Verner Panton. Manufactured by Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany, 1974. This rocking chair is...
Beech
Sold
H 33.86 in W 24.41 in D 35.44 in
Vernor Panton Relaxer Rocking Chair in New Green Wool and Wood for Rosenthal
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Sculptural and iconic rocking lounge chair designed by Vernor Panton for Rosenthal Einrichtung Germany. Organically shaped and well proportioned in relation to stability. Solid beech...
Fabric, Wood