This roomy, comfortable chair was christened ‘Fried Egg’, because that is what it looks like when viewed from above. The flat armrests invite you to swing your legs nonchalantly up on them, when you really feel like relaxing. As a tribute to the 1950s’ adoration of colour and love of teak, one of the Fried Egg options is this elegant type of wood and upholstery in a range of stunning colours. You also have the option of playing with two-tone combinations, which are strongly reminiscent of a fried egg.
The distinctive Fried Egg chair was originally designed in 1956 by the architect Hans Olsen, whose experiments led to some highly original designer furniture. The chair is also referred to as ‘Model 188’ and is a collector’s icon, which only rarely comes up for auction in Denmark.
The Fried Egg chair stands out with its playful idiom, which in its very own way captures the zeitgeist of the 1950s, when experiments, bravery and skill resulted in world-class furniture. Hans Olsen had an exceptional awareness of line, surface and colour. In his designs, he was not afraid to combine classic values with humour, and Fried Egg aroused well-deserved attention when it was presented at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Furniture Exhibition in Copenhagen in 1956.
The Fried Egg chair has been specially selected for the Warm Nordic range as a tribute to iconic Nordic design that invests modern décor with invaluable diversity and depth.
House of Hans Olsen
In consultation with Hans Olsen’s family, Warm Nordic is upholding the legacy of this great furniture designer and will regularly launch more House of Hans Olsen classics.
Hans Olsen’s remarkable designs from the 1950s are vivid examples of the beautiful diversity of Danish Modernism. This Danish architect and industrial designer took on the classic virtues of the Academy of Fine Arts and the great master, Kaare Klint, but opted for a more playful and experimental approach to furniture design.
Hans Olsen challenged contemporary production methods and much of his inspiration came from the opportunities offered by moulding wood. A refusal to compromise in terms of comfort, functionality and aesthetics is Hans Olsen’s trademark, and his iconic design attracts just as much attention today as it did back then .
Hans Olsen (1919-1992) made his own special mark on the Danish Modernism of the 1950s with his consummately designed, characterful furniture. Today, several of his design classics are collector icons and sell for high prices at international auctions.
