Dan Svarth ( b.1942) – Danish Furniture Designer

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Vintage Oak Daybed Bench by Dan Svarth for Fredericia, 1978
Vintage Oak Daybed Bench by Dan Svarth for Fredericia, 1978

Dan Svarth (b. 1942) is a Danish designer.  Dan Svarth has designed furniture, as well as researched and written about historical furniture. He is also a skilled model builder and he participates in a wide range of exhibitions.

Education

He studied at the Kunsthåndvrærkerskolen, Copenhagen, to 1967, furniture design, Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi, to 1969. 

Biography

In 1962, he was a cabinetmaker’s apprentice. 

In 1969, he worked with Herman Olsen. 

Sofa by Dan Svarth
Sofa by Dan Svarth

In 1971, he set up his design studio. From 1973, he taught furniture design at the Skoien for Brugskunst (formerly Det Tekniske Selskabs Skoler) and, from 1974, in the furniture school of Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi. Jörgen V. Hansen produced his furniture designs. In 1972 Dan started as an employee with Poul Kjærholm’s design studio and worked here until Kjærholm died in 1980.

Teak Bookcase by Dan Svarth for Bornholms Møbelfabrik, 1960s
Teak Bookcase by Dan Svarth for Bornholms Møbelfabrik, 1960s

Egyptian furnishings

Dan Svarth spent years researching, drawing, and modelling Egyptian furnishings at a 1:5 scale. He concluded that the ancient Egyptians used steam-bending technology to shape and form wood for their chariots and furniture. This is the first record of steam-bending technology used in furniture fabrication.

Recognition

He received the 1966 Johannes Krøiers Award, the 1966 L.F. Foghts Award (of the Kunsthåndvrerkerskolen), and the 1970 and 1973 Danish State Art awards. 

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

Postell, J. C. (2007). Furniture design. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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