In a fascinating journey through time and design, the Rocking Horse has reappeared as a wondrous symbol of tradition, creativity, and exquisite craftsmanship. What seemed forgotten in a corner of Fritz Hansen's archives, a set of rudimentary photographs opened the first chapter in the revival story of this captivating artwork. Today, this piece stands as a profound tribute to the past, spectacularly reborn in 2023. This marks the beginning of the interesting history of the Rocking Horse - from its origins, the meticulous process of recreation, to the selection of materials, refined design, and the craftsmanship that breathed new life into this unique curiosity from 1946.
At Fritz Hansen, heritage is treasured as a priceless jewel. The story of the Rocking Horse stems from our deep pride in the company's illustrious history. As a 151-year-old Danish design house, our legacy is not just our foundation but also our soul, imbued in every piece we create.
"DISCOVERING THOSE OLD PHOTOGRAPHS IN OUR ARCHIVES WAS LIKE FINDING A HIDDEN TREASURE CHEST OF OUR HISTORY. IT WAS AN INSPIRING FIND THAT LED US ON A JOURNEY OF LOVE FOR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND HERITAGE THAT BROUGHT A HIDDEN TREASURE BACK TO LIFE IN 2023."
The images of the Rocking Horse were found in an old furniture catalog. The design was never intended for mass production but was documented due to its unique and outstanding craftsmanship. It was a remarkable piece for its time, reflecting the skill and artistic finesse of its creator. Interestingly, the photographer used a mirror to create the illusion of multiple horses in one image.
Piecing together the origin story of the Rocking Horse, it's likely that a craftsman at the workshop created this piece as a personal project, perhaps a toy for their child or grandchild. A work born out of love. What happened to the original Rocking Horse remains a mystery, but the existence of just one copy adds to its allure.
After the inspiring discovery of the photographs in January 2021 and captivated by the mystery, Fritz Hansen’s Design and Product Development team began the intricate task of recreating the Rocking Horse from just two photographs. Unlike traditional rocking horses that stand on two curved lengths of wood, the rocking function was ingeniously integrated into the body of the horse, bringing a unique sculptural quality and an extra challenge for the craftsmen involved in the project.
Fritz Hansen, a towering figure in the creation of curved, sculptural wooden furniture, skillfully blended industrial techniques with artisanal craftsmanship in the mission to recreate the Rocking Horse.
The design team embarked on this journey with patience and dedication, relying on just a couple of small images. They crafted a series of models, each iteration a step closer to the ideal form and size, using industrial lamination techniques to achieve a perfect silhouette. In the design process, the aim was to maintain the original spirit of the horse while transforming it into an impressive sculptural work.
Leading the project, Fritz Hansen’s Design Developer Mads-Ulrik Husum, whose passion for this project cannot be understated, shared how they solved the problem of finding the correct curvature for the design: “We found inspiration for the curvature of the piece from centuries-old techniques used in crafting musical instruments, like cellos and violins. Once we started to view the rocking horse as a musical instrument, we had a way to approach the design with a fresh perspective, utilising circles and lines to create perfect curvature. As soon as we tried this method, so many of the issues we had were solved.”
Over a three-year journey from the discovery of the photographs to the final product, the Rocking Horse is the result of a creative and careful recreation process. At least 12 models were created by the artisans, each advancing towards perfection in symbolism, artistry, and construction.
Today, the Rocking Horse is not just a refined work of art but also a vivid testament to the legacy of craftsmanship and an engaging toy for children. To ensure safety, each component was chosen from entirely natural materials. The horse's body is crafted from veneer wood - the same material legendary Arne Jacobsen used in his iconic Series 7 chairs. The horse's tail is made from halyard - material from Poul Kjærholm's famous works, while the ears are crafted from leftover leather from Fritz Hansen's production, a smart step to minimize waste.
The result is a Rocking Horse that is not only beautiful in design but also enduring over time, a genuine and sustainable work of art.
Source: fritzhansen.com
nanoHome is the exclusive distributor in Vietnam for the USM Modular Furniture brand from Switzerland, Fritz Hansen, HAY Design from Denmark, Flos from Italy, and BD Barcelona Design from Spain.
- Showroom 1: nanoHome Gallery at 675 - 677 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, HCMC (Near Ung Van Khiem Street - Saigon Bridge).
- Showroom 2: House at 215G6 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
- Contact: Email: info@nanohome.vn Hotline: 033 948 7632
