Back in 1963, relationships between professors and their students were more traditional. Professors maintained a sense of authority, and students bowed down to that dominion. Design clearly indicated this uneven power structure.  In 1963, when Arne Jacobsen designed the original Oxford chair for the faculty at St. Catherine’s College in Oxford, it had an “extra tall back that served as a symbol of prestige and created a space of its own.”

Iconic Professor’s Chair Celebrates Its 50^th Anniversary

In honor of its 50^th anniversary, Fritz Hansen is reissuing the Oxford chair in its original wooden form—but with a twist that acknowledges contemporary life. The “new” Oxford chair comes in a more egalitarian mid-height version with front upholstery on the seat and back. The three available colors—Light Blue, Petrol Blue, and Orange—provide additional comfort along with “a bit more style.”

The “new” Oxford chair is available October 2012. Find a Fritz Hansen retailer at the company’s online store locator.

About the Manufacturer: Approximately one hundred and twenty-five years ago, cabinetmaker Fritz Hansen secured workshop space in the Copenhagen burb of Christianshavn. Some forty-five years later, son Christian began to experiment with steam bending beech. Fast-forward to the new millennium and manufacturer Fritz Hansen has parlayed the under-pinnings of modern design into one of the most visible and renowned furniture brands worldwide. The roster of past Fritz Hansen designers includes such luminaries as Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, and Verner Panton. Today, count on products designed by Kasper Salto, Morten Voss, and Cecilie Manz to bear the Fritz Hansen name.