Kay Bojensen – Monkey
This sweet wooden monkey is one of the most famous toys to come out of Denmark. Characterised by its cheeky face and moveable limbs, it has been a favourite in Danish homes since 1951. The toy, made of teak and limba woods, is a beautifully crafted piece that treats woodworking with integrity.
Created out of 31 separate parts, each monkey is unique thanks to the variety of wood colours and grains from the responsibly sourced plantation teak.
Here’s my monkey sitting on his shelf in LA –a little bit of Danish design to remind me of home.
Arne Jacobsen – The Swan
One of the most well-known chair designs to come out of Denmark is Arne Jacobsen’s The Swan.
No straight lines are seen in the design, with curvy shapes just like the swan. You can see the level of craftsmanship detail on the upholstery as well! The stitching across the fabric is an integral part of the design to help define its shape.
Sold by iconic brand Fritz Hansen, each chair is hand crafted in their factory and sold globally. You can see these chairs inthe San Francsico airport lounges, or in Denmark at the refurbished Royal SAS Hotel in Copenhagen!
Hans j. Wegner – Wishbone Chair
It wouldn’t be a journal about Danish craftsmanship without mentioning the Wishbone chair by Hans J Wegner. This timeless classic is combines the back and arm rest into one steam-bent teak piece, which is then attached to the beautifully crafted base support. There are more than 100 steps required to craft each Wishbone Chair, the majority of which are carried out by hand –including the paper cord seat. The seat is characteristic of domestic Danish design and takes over an hour for a craftsman to complete, using 120 meters of paper cord. A chair made of using responsibly sourced, renewable materials, it truly is a masterpiece of Danish craftsmanship.
