Magnus Stephensen. A rare Wingback easy chair
Oak frame. Seat and back upholstered with black leather. Back fitted with buttons. Designed 1955. This example made 1955 by cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen.
Width 80 cm, height 84 cm, depth 75 cm, seat height front circa 35 cm.
In 1955 cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen “strayed” from Ole Wanscher that in the past 15 years or so had been his regular partner at the annual Copenhagen Cabinetmakers Guild Exhibitions.
For a moment he again looked away from the fine yet more traditional furniture inspired by the 18th century English style to resume a brief deja-vu with the group of modernist architects Mogens Lassen, Flemming Lassen and Magnus Stephensen.
Thy had in the late 1930s already for Iversen created some of most important pieces of Danish Furniture per se.
This meant that his 1955 booth was made up of models more experimental in nature. But like with their modernist pieces from the 1930s they were hard to sell. It is doubtful that any examples were made beyond those shown in the exhibition.
The present chair appeared in 3 examples. Two in fabric and one in black leather. It is likely that, this present example, is that one.
The model is the climax of a type open “big ears” chair that Magnus Stephensen had toiled with for a range of makers since 1930. Prior models were more angular and modular in expression, but with this chair he managed to combine the overall theme with a more rounded organic look.
This in great part thanks to the skillfulness of the A. J. Iversen workshop that not only were great with wood, but also by their peers, were regarded as the best upholstery shop.
The result is a big incredibly comfortable chair with a clear sculptural yet light appearance. in handcrafted A. J. Iversen quality.
The present chair is the only example known to us to resurface.
However in spite of it’s rarity, it was still widely touted by A. J. Iversen around 1955 and appeared in both ads from them and as one of just a handful of pieces of furniture they chose to illustrate the history of the company in their Jubilee booklet from 1956. A booklet that was published on the occassion of their 40th anniversary.