Danish cabinetmaker Fritz Hansen founded his furniture production company in 1885, and in the first fifty years he and his son Christian worked to develop a strong reputation for stunning craftsmanship and strong forms, qualities we now recognize as the hallmarks of the company and of Nordic design as a whole. From early on Fritz Hansen made a point to collaborate with architects and designers, and he and his son kindled one such relationship with Danish icon Arne Jacobsen in 1934, though the 1950s was when Jacobsen really had the strongest impact on the Fritz Hansen history. This mid-century boom in creative and commercial success resulted in such iconic designs such as the Ant, Egg, and Swan Chairs, all of which continue to be celebrated by designers and collectors alike.
Christian Hansen’s visionary exploration of steam bending techniques in the 1930s for a time put the brand among the world leaders in the field. This research developed into what would become the specialty for the firm: creating furniture from laminate wood. Arguably the pinnacle of this form is The Series 7 Chair designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1955, one of Fritz Hansen’s most sold chairs in its history.
Today Republic of Fritz Hansen remains a leading and exclusive international brand, producing classics from Poul Kjærholm and Hans Wegner, and also collaborating with contemporary designers such as Cecilie Manz and Kasper Salto. They are renowned for their iconic, sculptural contributions to the international design scene, with furniture that typify the Danish ideals of craftsmanship, nobility of materials, and innovative functionality. They have always been a forward-looking company, and as more of the world becomes environmentally conscious and consumers expect companies to follow suit, Republic of Fritz Hansen has implemented a ten-year plan for boosting sustainability in their production which includes renewed attention to responsible sourcing and reducing toxic chemicals and emissions, thereby securing a sustainable future.