Vintage "Clam” rocking chair attributed to Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, Denmark 1944

Iconic Clam chair attributed to Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell in Denmark in 1944. This example is a vintage original armchair produced in the 40's in danemark. The chair has been reupholstered in premium Sheepskin from New Zeland. The arm chairs is in monted on a elm wood based and arms. The overhall condition is good, no structural damage. The Clam chair is an Iconic scandinavian piece and can be related to other famous designer as Paavo Tynell, Axel Einar Hjorth or Alvar Aalto. The sheepskin is completly new and has never been use before. This chair was previously attributed at Phillip Arctander before further investigation which proved that it was a Madsen design. 

Dimensions : 65 cm large / 80 cm depth / 70 cm hight / 42 cm seat hight / 1m depth with the skates. 

about the Clam chair : The story of the Clam Chair is a fascinating example of how mid-century Danish design quietly shaped modern interiors without always gaining mass-market fame.

The Clam Chair was designed in 1944 by Arnold Madsen, during a period when Denmark was beginning to define what would later be known as Danish Modern. Madsen worked with the cabinetmaking firm Madsen & Schubell, and the chair emerged from their shared interest in sculptural form, comfort, and craftsmanship rather than industrial scale production.

The chair gets its nickname from its distinctive shape: two curved, shell-like upholstered forms that open and close visually like a clam. At a time when most lounge chairs were either rigid or heavily overstuffed, the Clam Chair felt radically organic. Its low profile, generous curves, and enveloping seat were designed to cradle the body, anticipating later ideas about ergonomic lounging decades before that term became common.

What makes the Clam Chair especially notable is its balance between softness and structure. Beneath the plush upholstery is a carefully engineered wooden frame that allows the chair to appear almost floating while still providing strong support. This combination of visible lightness and hidden strength became a hallmark of Danish furniture design in the years that followed.

Despite its innovation, the Clam Chair was never widely produced. Wartime material shortages, high production costs, and its labor-intensive construction meant that only a small number were made. As a result, it remained relatively obscure outside of Denmark for many years, admired mostly by designers and collectors rather than the general public.

Today, the Clam Chair is considered an icon of early Danish Modern design. Original examples are extremely rare and highly valued at auctions, often fetching high prices due to their scarcity and historical importance. Contemporary reissues and inspired reproductions have helped reintroduce the design to new audiences, but the original chairs remain prized as sculptural objects as much as functional furniture.