When the Bellevue lamp was first produced in 1929, it marked the dawn of Danish minimalism. With its graceful, clear lines and understated silhouette, the Bellevue floor lamp was part of a wider shift towards a new school that fused sculptural simplicity with Bauhaus functionalism.
Almost a century later, Bellevue remains an iconic piece of design, and its designer, Arne Jacobsen, synonymous with modernism. Recognised as one of the pioneers of modern Danish furniture, Jacobsen is famous for his exacting perfectionism, his penchant for organic forms and his ability to marry elegance and function. These qualities are all reflected in the Bellevue floor lamp, which is still as contemporary as when it was first designed.
To celebrate Arne Jacobsen's 120th anniversary, And Tradition is publishing two special editions of this iconic floor lamp, nodding to the first edition in 1929. The Bellevue AJ7 anniversary edition is available with a burnished brass stem, paired with a white or stone grey diffuser.
Born in Copenhagen in 1902, Arne Jacobsen trained as a mason at the Technical College in Copenhagen, before studying architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he graduated in 1927. He initially worked for Paul Holsoe, an architect, before founding his own practice in 1930. One of his significant creations was the Bellavista apartment block in Klampenborg (1933-1934), which earned him the nickname "Danish Le Corbusier." From 1934 onwards, Jacobsen worked closely with Fritz Hansen, a company he was particularly proud of. His furniture can be found in museums and hotels worldwide. Jacobsen was a key figure in the Danish functionalist movement, advocating for rational, functional architecture. He also laid the groundwork for Scandinavian organic modernism. The 1950s were among Jacobsen's most productive years. In 1952, he designed the Ant Chair for a major pharmaceutical company, which remains one of Denmark's best-selling furniture pieces. One of its variations, the Series 7 chair or 3107, was also a commercial success. In 1958, one of his most significant projects began: the design and fitting-out of the SAS Royal in Copenhagen. This project produced the iconic Egg and Swan armchairs, along with the AJ lamps, all characterized by their elegant, timeless design. Arne Jacobsen'slegacy is still very much present in Denmark, where many buildings, houses, theatres, schools, and hotels bear his signature. Internationally, his greatest achievement was the design of St Catherine's College, Oxford, which gave rise to the famous Oxford chair. Fritz Hansen continues to produce Jacobsen's pieces, which have become design classics. His influence on Scandinavian design is still evident today.
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AND TRADITION
Since 2010, And Tradition builds a bridge between tradition and modernity by revisiting the history of Danish design. Founded in Copenhagen by Martin Kornbek Hansen, the brand renews with the great masters of the 20th century while accompanying contemporary talents, to offer a design that is sensitive, durable and resolutely current. Located in the heart of the Danish capital