A powerhouse duo in Danish furniture design throughout the mid-20th century, Henry Hans Schubell and Arnold Madsen collaborated as Madsen & Schubell with Dutch company Bovenkamp and Vik & Blindheim on a range of furnishings and created memorable lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating throughout the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s — such as the wingback Pragh chair and the iconic Clam chair — that represent the finest of Scandinavian modern design.
In 1944, a skilled upholster by the name of Arnold Madsen requested assistance from a cabinetmaker to make a prototype lounge chair based on a plaster model he’d made. Accepting the challenge, Schubell impressed Madsen to the point that he suggested they enter into a partnership. The Clam chair was their first collaboration as Madsen & Schubell.
According to Aaron FitzGerald, of Dagmar gallery, Madsen’s Clam chair is “one of the most sought-after and simultaneously misattributed and copied chair designs of the twentieth century.” In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen.
In the backyard of a modest home in Copenhagen, Schubell built wooden frames which Madsen then upholstered. They sold their finished products to dealers under their joint name, earning enough money to move production to a factory outside the city. Some models, such as the Clam, were under license by Norwegian company Vik & Blindheim while others were manufactured by Bovenkamp in the Netherlands. The pair’s partnership ended in 1963 in order for the designers to establish separate companies. Madsen opened a new upholstery firm with his son, Ib Madsen, under the name Madsen og Schubell, and Schubell continued to build frames for Madsen as Schubell & Son. (At some point, Ib also traded under the name Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell.)
Vintage Madsen & Schubell chairs offer sturdy build quality and the kind of superior upholstery that is typical among mid-century Scandinavian furniture. Working with a range of woods including teak, rosewood and birch, Madsen & Schubell accented natural wood grains with soft lambswool and sheepskin for a variety of comfortable seating.
Find vintage Arnold Madsen Clam chairs, lounge chairs and other seating on 1stDibs.
Arnold Madsen, calm chair for Vik & Blindheim, circa 1944.
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
An iconic example of Scandinavian modern design, the Clam Chair (Muslingstol) was conceived in Copenhagen in 1944 by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. Its distinctive sculptural form...
Sheepskin, Birch
Yngve Ekström, Model ”Sibbo” for Stolab AB circa 1955, Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Yngve Ekström Arm Chair model Sibbo in solid oak designed in 1955 for Stolab AB in Sweden. Good overhall condition. Original cushion available. Yngve Ekström is one of the most influ...
Oak
Hans Agne Jakobsson armchair, leather & wood circa 1970
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Hans Agne Jakobsson chair, leather and wood core. Strong Patina with no structural damage. Designed in the 70.
Leather
Steneby hemslöjd, armchair is solid pine, Sweden, circa 1930
By Torsten Claeson
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Arms chair designed by the fabric Steneby hemslöjd in Sweden, circa 1930. The chair is made in stained solid pine with a scultural high. Nice orginal condition. Torsten Claeson have...
Pine
Arne Norell curvy Soffa Produced by Westbergs Möbler, Sweden, circa 1960
By Arne Norell
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
A rare curvy 3 seats Arne Norell soffa produced by Westbergs Möbler edition in 1950. The sofa is composed by stained beech feets and is reupholstered with a bouclette fabric in white...
Bouclé, Beech
Alvar Aalto, rare variation of the model 46 for Artek, circa 1960.
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Rare variation of the model 46 designed by Alvar Aalto in the 40's and produced by Artek in Finland in the same era. The chairs is composed by two extremly rare armrest. It has been ...
Fabric, Birch
“Clam” Chair by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, Denmark, 1944
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Arnold Madsen
Located in Utrecht, NL
This “Clam” chair has a beloved design thanks to which it is considered by many as one of the most attractive chairs of Nordic Design. At the same time, this chair is arguably also the most mysterious piece on the Danish furniture market. The model has a rather perplexing history, and has been attributed to several designers before, the latest being the Danish architect Phillip Arctander. However, recent research revealed that the “Clam” is the model that in fact started the story of Madsen & Schubell. Arnold Madsen designed this model in 1944 in his small basement workshop in Gothersgade, Copenhagen. This chair has a characteristic organic shape with soft curves, perched on club-shaped beech legs. The name comes from the shape of the seat and back that together form the silhouette of an open clam. The round armrests compliment the overall round feel of the chair. The seat is slightly raised towards the front, while the back is tilted to provide great sitting comfort. The seat and back are covered in light sheepskin, adding to the soft and cosy feel of this “Clam”. Interestingly, Hans Schubell invented the special connecting piece of this chair, formed from only one piece of wood. The rest of the seat and backrest were glued to this single piece. In 1944, the chair was already exhibited in conjunction with the presentation of the newly opened furniture store NY FORM A/S in Copenhagen, which sold the leading design of the day. In 1945, the Clam went into serial production as the first model of the new furniture company Madsen & Schubell and many well-known stores soon included Madsen & Schubell in their product range. Illums Bolighus was one of them, as were the Messen department store and the Copenhagen furniture store Nordisk Staal-og-Møbel Central. In 1953, Madsen & Schubell sold the licence of the chair to the Norwegian company Vik and Blindheim. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in light sheepskin. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 26.38 in W x 33.27 in D x 32.28 in H; Seat height 14.96 in; Arm height 22.64 in 67 cm W x 84.5 cm D x 82 cm H; Seat height 38 cm; Arm height 57.5 cm About the designer: Henry Hans Schubell...
Sheepskin, Wood
Arnold Madsen, Rocking Chair, Beech, Leatherette, Sweden, 1950s
By Arnold Madsen
Located in High Point, NC
A beech and brown leatherette rocking lounge chair designed by Arnold Madsen and likely license-produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Seat height: 12.75"
Faux Leather, Beech
Arnold Madsen 'Clam Chair' produced by Madsen & Schubell, 1950s
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Arnold Madsen 'Clam Chair' produced by Madsen & Schubell 1950s. Completely restored. Excellent condition. Beech, recently recovered in sheepskin upholstery.
Sheepskin
1940s, Beech and Bouclé Rocking Chair , Sweden
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
A charming 1940s Swedish rocking chair crafted from beech wood. This elegant piece showcases smooth, curved armrests and runners that give it a graceful silhouette and gentle motion....
Bouclé, Beech
Swedish Rocking Chair in Sheepskin, 1950s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Reupholstered in honey colored sheepskin. Produced in Sweden, 1950s.
Sheepskin
Swedish Rocking Chair in Sheepskin, 1940s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Reupholstered in nature colored sheepskin. Produced in Sweden, 1940s.
Sheepskin
