The History of the Egg Chair

The egg chair is a distinctive chair style that took hold in the 1950s and 60s in Europe, and it's made a comeback today. The egg chair is also a favourite design in outdoor and balcony furniture. It was created to offer an alternative to the chair or sofa, but it also happens to accent these pieces very well. From stationary egg chairs to hanging egg chairs, the egg chair adds a comfortable style and flair to any setting. It functions well as both a focal point and a secondary piece in any furnished environment.

An Exclusive Design

Designer Arne Jacobsen first created egg chairs in 1958 for the Radisson Hotel of Copenhagen, Denmark. The Republic of Fritz Hansen Company manufactured the first egg chairs. It is said that Jacobsen drew inspiration for his egg chair design the Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen; however some dispute this story, as both chairs are quite different from one another.

Jacobsen's original egg chair was intended for the most magnificent, opulent settings. It was massive in size and thereby needed a large space to work as a design piece. The chairs were very well made and covered in premier quality cowhide, giving them a classy but rugged look. However, a seam in the cowhide was perceived as a slight defect in the design, and some owners had to have their chairs re-covered.

The comfort and unusual aesthetics offered by the egg chair caused it to gain widespread appeal at the time, although relatively few chairs using Jacobsen's original design were made. Most were created for the Denmark Radisson Hotel, but there were a few "special editions" created as well, which fetched as much as $60,000 each. While distinctive and beautifully crafted, few people in the 1950s and 60s could afford these special edition models.

2015 Egg Chair

Egg Chair 2.0

Fifty years later, in 2008, the Fritz Hansen Company released 999 more chairs as a limited edition to commemorate the egg chair's 50-year anniversary. The new chairs were made from suede and leather and included an attractive two-toned brown look. The base was bronze and the chairs were hand-polished, adding to their classic look.

Collectors loved the reboot of the egg chair, and Fritz Hansen numbered each of the 999 under the cushion to confirm authenticity. A written history of the egg chair was also included as well as a limited edition book about the chairs and designer Arne Jacobsen.

Inspiration for Today

Since there were so few of the original egg chairs from the 1950s and 60s made, the ones that still exist are rare and considered collectibles. The distinct, unique style of the egg chair is its main attraction, so it's no surprise that it has been emulated in many other furniture lines. It is a favourite for outdoor furniture styles, balcony furniture and whenever a compact, stylish, comfortable effect is desired. Newer designs like the cocoon sofa were likely inspired by the egg chair design.

Love the look of the egg chair? Consider a Uovo Hanging Egg Chair from Outdoor Furniture Ideas for a truly unique addition to your patio, balcony, or other outdoor space.