The Spanish Chair by Børge Mogensen

Læs beskrivelsen Læs mindre

In 1958, Børge Mogensen presented The Spanish Chair, inspired by traditional medieval chairs with wide armrests and a seat in full grain leather. The chair is produced by Fredericia Furniture and is one of Mogensen's most distinctive design icons. At KLASSIK you will find original Spanish Chairs in oak with patinated or newly upholstered leather. The wide, low shape provides unique comfort and makes the chair a collector's item as well as a functional piece of furniture in modern interiors.

The story behind

The armchair holds a special place in Børge Mogensen's work, and The Spanish Chair from 1958 is his adaptation of a traditional European furniture type with a Danish modernist focus on materials, proportions, and function. Mogensen (1914-1972) studied under Kaare Klint and shared a design studio with Hans Wegner in the 1940s. Both had a crucial influence on his work.

The idea for the chair originated during a family holiday in Andalusia, where Mogensen saw traditional Spanish and Moorish-inspired chairs with wide armrests and stretched leather over a solid wooden frame. He simplified the design language and removed the original carvings. What remained was a low-back armchair with a clear construction, wide armrests, and saddle leather fastened with visible buckles. The Spanish Chair was presented at the Cabinetmakers' Guild exhibition in 1958 and has since been produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik, today Fredericia Furniture.

Design and materials

The Spanish Chair is built around a solid oak frame with wide armrests, which both give the chair its distinctive silhouette and serve as a practical place to put a glass or a cup. The seat and back are upholstered with strong, vegetable-tanned saddle leather, fastened with visible buckles and fittings, allowing the leather to be tightened as it stretches over time.

The oak is available in several finishes: soap-treated, oiled, or smoked. The leather develops a significant patina through use, so each chair develops its own color and texture. The seat and back can be replaced, so the chair can be maintained without losing its original character. The construction reflects Mogensen's basic principle of durable furniture, where maintenance is a natural part of the whole.

BM 2225 and BM 2226 - production and variants

The model was originally produced at Fredericia Stolefabrik under model number BM 2225. It is this early production that is particularly sought after today as vintage, not least the first examples, where the leather work was carried out by saddler Dahlman in Copenhagen. The chair is available on the vintage market with both one and two stretchers between the back legs; both variants are original and reflect variations in early production.

Fredericia Furniture continues production today under model number BM 2226 according to the original principles, with vegetable-tanned saddle leather stretched over a solid oak frame. The two production periods differ primarily in age, the patina of the leather, and a few structural details. The basic form and choice of materials are the same.

Restoration at KLASSIK

At KLASSIK, each version of The Spanish Chair is individually assessed with respect for the original design and craftsmanship. Restoration is carried out with a focus on preserving the chair's materials, proportions, and character, so that the whole appears authentic.

Our workshop has been working with original Danish furniture classics since 1991 and has extensive experience with Mogensen's furniture in various designs. When a Spanish Chair needs restoration, the oak frame, saddle leather, and metal fittings are each assessed separately. The leather can be tightened or replaced, and the frame can be sanded and surface-treated where necessary to preserve the integrity.

Sell your Spanish Chair to KLASSIK

We purchase original Børge Mogensen Spanish Chairs, both the early BM 2225 from Fredericia Stolefabrik and later editions from Fredericia Furniture. Send us photos and relevant information via our contact form and receive a professional valuation based on condition, originality, and demand.

At KLASSIK, we buy original Danish furniture from the 1920s to the 1980s. We emphasize a serious and professional sales process with a focus on accurate valuation and dialogue.

Originality, sustainability, and guarantee of authenticity

An original Spanish Chair carries its history in the patina of its materials and the traces that come with use over time. At KLASSIK, we consider these signs to be part of the furniture's quality and lifespan. With over 30 years of experience and thousands of pieces of furniture passing through our hands, we guarantee the authenticity of all furniture in our range.

Therefore, we offer a lifetime guarantee of authenticity on all furniture purchased from us. At KLASSIK, you invest in original Danish design - with certainty.

Contact us

Since 1991, we have specialized in the purchase, sale, and restoration of original Danish furniture classics. You are always welcome to contact us or visit us at our store at Bredgade 3, 1260 Copenhagen K.

Phone: +45 33 33 90 60
Email: support@klassik.dk
Instagram: @klassikcopenhagen