FH411 Teddy Bear Chair by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen, 1960s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

Show description

Beautiful large 'Teddy Bear' armchair by Danish designers Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen, upholstered in an exclusive, special bouclé fabric of alpaca & pure wool by exclusive French fabric brand 'Pierre Frey', making it extremely comfortable to the touch. This rarely seen armchair was made in 1960 by Danish furniture maker Willy Beck, famous for the manufacture of very high quality furniture. The armchair was included in the Fritz Hansen collection under model number FH411. The armchair has a characteristic abstract oval-shaped swallowed pillow which is a beautiful and characteristic part of the design. Due to the generous dimensions, the seat cushion with innerspring and the comfort of the special upholstery, you will experience the ultimate sitting experience in this beautiful tall arm chair. If desired we can always send a fabric sample of the fabric that this chair is upholstered in.

Creator	Aksel Bender Madsen
Design Period	1950 to 1959
Production Period	1960 to 1969
Country of Manufacture	Denmark
Identifying Marks	This piece is attributed to the above-mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark
Style	Scandinavian Modern
Detailed Condition	Good — This vintage item remains fully functional, but it shows sign of age through scuffs, dings, faded finishes, minimal upholstery defects, or visible repairs.
Product Code	AGB-803086
Restoration and Damage Details	Restored, Reupholstered
Materials	Wool
Width	79 cm 79 cm
Depth	76 cm 76 cm
Height	102 cm 102 cm
Weight Range	Standard — Between 40kg and 80kg
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Netherlands
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.
Returns	Returns accepted within 14 days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

Delivery Options

Front Door Delivery: (Included in Every Order)	A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below). The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.
In-Home Delivery: (For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)	A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers. The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.

Front Door Delivery:
(Included in Every Order)

A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below).
The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

In-Home Delivery:
(For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)

A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers.
The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine every order upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damage or missing or incorrect pieces, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations of missing, damaged, or incorrect item(s) represents your acceptance of the complete order in perfect condition.

About the Creator

Aksel Bender Madsen

Danish designer-cabinetmaker Aksel Bender Madsen (1916-2000) created a number of classic midcentury designs in the late 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, often working jointly with his business partner and friend Ejner Larsen (1917-1987).

Bender Madsen (as he is usually referred) trained as a cabinetmaker before spending four years studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1940. It was there that he met his lifelong friend Larsen, with whom he would work throughout his career. The pair designed over 300 pieces of furniture together until Larsen’s death in 1987, often working with cabinetmaker Willy Beck, who produced their designs over a 25-year period. Larsen and Bender Madsen participated annually in the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild competitions from 1947, and their work was exhibited at the Triennale di Milano and in the Design in Scandinavia exhibition, which traveled across the US. from 1954 to 1957.

Larsen and Bender Madsen's most famous design, namely the Metropolitan Chair, was developed in 1949 and produced from 1950; its name came from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it was shown and acquired for the Arts of Denmark exhibition in 1960-61. Upholstered in saddle leather, the Metropolitan Chair is an elegant example of organic Danish modern design.

Before he began working with Larsen, Bender Madsen worked for Danish icons Kaare Klint and Arne Jacobsenfrom 1940 to 1943. While designing furniture, he also worked simultaneously as an architect for the Danish Consumers Cooperative Society (1943-1950) and as a teacher and principal at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (1950-54).

Bender Madsen was committed to building the Danish design identity and exporting Scandinavian style. He introduced a clear Danish aesthetic to the Dutch brand Bovenkamp in the 1950s and 1960s, who also worked with fellow Arne Vodder. Bender Madsen designs for Bovenkamp feature many models of easy chairs and armchairs, including the low-backed Edith and the high-backed Karen (circa 1950).

Together Bender Madsen and Larsen received many awards, including winning the prestigious Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Annual Prize in 1956 and 1961. Their furniture is housed in museums around world, including the aforementioned Met Museum and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark.