A beautifully sculptural vintage rocking chair by Frank Reenskaug for Bramin, made in Denmark and best known as model 182. This is one of those chairs that immediately feels recognisable: the long, raked teak frame, the elegant rocking runners, the spindle back, and those wonderfully shaped armrests that give the chair both a graphic silhouette and a very comfortable posture.
What makes this model especially appealing is the way it balances lightness and structure. The chair has a strong architectural line from the runners up through the angled side frame, but it never feels heavy. The armrests are particularly beautiful here, almost floating where they meet the cross structure, and they give the design that distinctly Scandinavian mix of utility and softness. The checked loose back cushion adds another layer of charm, making the chair feel a little more relaxed and lived-in while still keeping the refined Danish outline visible.
Bramin was one of the larger Danish furniture makers of the mid-century period and worked with several important designers; sources on the brand specifically list Frank Reenskaug among its main collaborators and identify the rocking chair no. 182 as one of Bramin’s classics. Reenskaug himself is associated with a small but distinctive body of Scandinavian seating, and the model 182 remains his best-known rocking chair in the current vintage market.
The teak tone works beautifully with the original black-and-cream checked upholstery, giving the chairs a slightly more playful, collected look than a plain fabric would. They sit somewhere between lounge chair and reading chair: elegant enough to stand out in a curated interior, but relaxed enough to use every day. They would work especially well in a mid-century, Scandinavian, or quiet eclectic setting where the silhouette can really be appreciated.
Details
Origin: Denmark
Maker: Bramin
Designer: Frank Reenskaug
Model: 182
Period: 1950s
Type: rocking chair / lounge chair
Material: teak, original upholstery, loose back cushion
Dimensions: 66 W × 80 D × 88 H cm (26.0 W × 31.5 D × 34.6 H in)
Seat height: 43 cm (16.9 in)
Availability: 2 available, sold individually
Condition
Good vintage condition with age-related wear consistent with use. The original upholstery appears clean and nicely fitted overall, with one visible area of wear/fraying to the fabric edge as shown in the photos. Overall, the chairs present attractively and remain very usable decorative seating pieces.
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsBrown, Creme, BlackMaterialWood, TextileNumber of items1BrandBraminHeight88 cmWidth66 cmDepth80 cmSeat height43 cmSigns of usageStains, Holes, Scratches