KUBUS - THE ICON

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Architect Mogens Lassen’s classic Kubus candleholder first achieved its final form in 1962

after he spent years fine-tuning an iron prototype that stood on his desk. Next to it was a

small steam engine that he would activate when his work came to a standstill, giving him

time to think of new ideas that would enable him to forge ahead.

He was always filled with a fascination for mechanics and the way things worked and fit

together. Mogens Lassen loved to experiment with new shapes and functions; he was a

perfectionist and dedicated much of his time to experimenting with dimensions, shapes and

angles. Each individual Kubus candleholder is made on the basis of strict mathematical

formulas and is calculated with great precision. Absolutely nothing was left to chance and

Kubus developed into a collection of carefully proportioned candleholders.

Mogens Lassen’s sharp sense for contemporary functionalism did not go unrecognised. The

well known Copenhagen family Birger Christensen had purchased one of the early versions

of the Kubus 8 and they were so pleased with it that they invited their friends to dinner to

show it off. Finn Juhl and Mogens Lassen’s daughter and son-in-law were in attendance.

The unveiling of the Kubus was highly anticipated and that evening the candleholder was

reveled with all the delight of opening night at the theatre. Kubus caused great excitement

and was admired as a unique work of art.

At the time of their creation, the Kubus candleholders were reserved for family, good friends

and close architect colleagues. The Kubus was put into production only after Mogens

Lassen’s death and it is still crafted in Denmark. Amongst design lovers around the world,

the Kubus has gone on to achieve the status of a modern international design icon.

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