Ib Kofod-Larsen (Danish, 1921-2003)
Twelve Penguin Chairs, circa 1952, Christensen & Larsen Mobelhandvaerg
Teak plywood, enameled steel, wool upholstery
32-1/4 x 21-1/2 x 21-1/2 inches (81.9 x 54.6 x 54.6 cm)

PROPERTY FROM AN A. QUINCY JONES INTERIOR, SAN FRANCISCO

In 1944, Greek immigrant Nicholas Daphne, working to build his own mortuary on an interesting plot of land in San Francisco, decided to reach out to the most famous American architect and called Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright ultimately agreed to the project and in early 1947 unveiled his plans for the mortuary, which was noted by Time as a ground-breaking design. Those plans failed to be realized and the project soon changed directions as Daphne engaged the young California architect A. Quincy Jones. The Daphne Funeral Home, as designed by Jones, became the first modernist mortuary in the United States and opened in 1953 with complementary modern furnishings within. For seating, a large quantity of 'Pengiun' lounge chairs by the Danish designer Ib Kofod-Larsen were acquired. The Daphne closed in 1998, and the chairs were moved to another Daphne property where they continued to be used for another twenty years. These lots are selected from the entire collection of chairs being offered by the Daphne family, which will be presented over several sales by Heritage.