Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm Pair Scimitar IS63 Leather Lounge Chairs

The Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm "Scimitar" Model IS-63 lounge chair is a legendary and highly sought-after piece of Danish mid-century design, conceived in 1962-1963. The chair derives its evocative name from the dramatic, curved, sword-like silhouette of its stainless steel base, which resembles a Middle Eastern scimitar. Fabricius and Kastholm, who trained under the esteemed Finn Juhl before establishing their own studio, represented a radical, sculptural approach to furniture design with this piece, blending industrial materials with luxurious hand-finished detailing. The chair's significance is underscored by its inclusion in major design exhibitions, including the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1968, and its place in definitive design reference books.

The Scimitar chair is constructed around a hand-cast and welded stainless steel frame that forms the signature curved base, supporting a molded plywood shell seat with foam padding. The chair was produced in extremely limited numbers—approximately only 150 examples were made between 1963 and 1984—by the skilled Copenhagen cabinetmaker Ivan Schlechter. This very limited production run, combined with the exceptional quality of materials and the radical, sculptural design, makes the Scimitar a high-water mark of Scandinavian Modern design.

Due to the extremely limited production run of approximately 150 pieces, the Scimitar chair is a blue-chip collectible, with pairs being exceptionally rare and highly prized by serious collectors of 20th-century furniture. The designers' relatively short partnership, ending with Kastholm's untimely passing, adds to the scarcity and mystique of their work. As a result of its rarity, design significance, and exquisite craftsmanship, the Scimitar commands a place among the most coveted and valuable lounge chairs from the golden age of Danish modern design.