Best known for his chairs and other seating pieces — though a master of many furniture types like sofas and tables — Hans Wegner was a prolific designer whose elegant, often ebullient, forms and devotion to the finest methods in joinery made "Danish Modern" a popular byword for stylish, well-made furniture in the mid-20th century.
Wegner considered himself a carpenter first and a furniture designer second. Like his peers Arne Jacobsen and Finn Juhl, Wegner believed that striking aesthetics in furniture were based on a foundation of practicality: a chair must be comfortable and sturdy before it is chic.
In keeping with that tenet, several of Hans Wegner’s best chair designs have their roots in traditional seating forms. The Peacock chair (designed in 1947) is a throne-like adaptation of the Windsor chair; pieces from the China chair series (begun in 1944) as well as the 1949 Wishbone chair, with its distinctive Y-shaped back splat, are derived from 17th-century Ming seating pieces, as is the upholstered Ox chair (1960). Wegner’s comfy Papa Bear chair (1951) is an almost surreally re-scaled English wingback chair.
Wegner’s most representative piece, the Round chair (1949), gained a footnote in political history when it was used on the TV stage of the first Kennedy-Nixon debate of 1960. That chair, along with Wegner’s more bravura designs — for example, the 1963 Shell chair, with its curved surfboard-shaped seat — bring a quietly sculptural presence to a room.
Wegner was a designer who revered his primary material — wood — and it shows. His wood gathers patina and character with age; every Hans Wegner piece testifies to the life it has led.
Find vintage Hans Wegner lounge chairs, armchairs, daybeds and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Hans Wegner Teak High Back Rocking Armchair Danish Vintage 1960s
By Tarm Stole, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking rocking armchair features a tall spindle back and sweeping curved armrests. The elegant silhouette showcases iconic Scandinavian craftsmanship. Designed by Hans Wegner ...
Teak
Edsbyverken Beechwood Swivel Chair Mid-Century Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking swivel chair features a curved slatted backrest and smooth wooden construction. Crafted in Sweden, it highlights clean Scandinavian lines and organic form. Natural beec...
Beech
Oak Armchair with Upholstered Seat Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Crafted in Denmark, this elegant armchair features clean Scandinavian lines and a sturdy solid oak frame. The warm natural wood grain complements the neutral upholstered seat and bac...
Oak
Beechwood Bentwood Lounge Chair with Pink Upholstery Mid-Century Modern 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This lounge chair showcases an ergonomic inclined profile with supportive padded armrests. Vintage Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 1970s. Crafted with a light beechwood bentwood fram...
Beech
Beechwood Upholstered Armchair Mid-Century Modern Vintage
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This comfortable armchair showcases a clean wooden frame paired with textured fabric upholstery. The organic lines and sturdy construction offer a classic retro aesthetic suited for ...
Beech
Teak Beige Lounge Armchair Danish Mid-Century Modern 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This inviting lounge seating features a robust sled base frame with gently curved supports and a generous profile. The substantial form offers a highly comfortable lounging experienc...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Rocking Chair Model J16 by Hans Wegner, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian rocking chair Model J16 by Hans Wegner. Designer Biography : "Best known for his chairs and seating pieces — though a master of many furniture types like sofas and tables — Hans Wegner was a prolific designer whose elegant, often ebullient, forms and devotion to the finest methods in joinery made "Danish Modern" a popular byword for stylish, well-made furniture in the mid-20th century. Wegner considered himself a carpenter first and a furniture designer second. Like his peers Arne Jacobsen and Finn Juhl, Wegner believed that striking aesthetics in furniture were based on a foundation of practicality: a chair must be comfortable and sturdy before it is chic. In keeping with that tenet, several of Wegner’s best chair designs, seen in dealer listings below, have their roots in traditional seating...
Wood
Classic Hans Wegner Danish "J16" Rocking Chair for FDB Mobler
By Hans J. Wegner, FDB Møbler
Located in Peabody, MA
Hans Wegner “J16” rocker in beech with corded seat for FDB Mobler, Denmark. Created in 1944, this has been one of Wegner’s most widely recognized designs. Marked with a production da...
Papercord, Beech
The J 16 Shaker Rocking Chair by Hans J. Wegner for FDB
By Hans J. Wegner, FDB Møbler
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Shaker Style Scandinavian Modern rocking chair designed by Hans Wegner in beech wood with a woven paper cord seat. Made in Denmark by FDB, circa 1970s.
Papercord, Beech
Hans J. Wegner Model J16 Rocking Chair, 1961
By Hans J. Wegner, FDB Møbler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful model J16 rocking chair by Hans Wegner for FDB Møbler, designed in 1944, in light-gray painted beech with woven paper cord seat. This example was produced in 1961, features...
Papercord, Beech
Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chair Model J16 by Hans Wegner Beechwood & Cord Seat
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Scandinavian Modern rocking chair Model J16 by Hans Wegner composed of a beechwood frame, hand twisted natural cord seat, & a clear lacquered finish. This piece ...
Cord, Wood, Beech, Lacquer
Rocking chair 'J16' by Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Classic rocking chair model 'J19' designed by Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, during the 1960s.
Seagrass, Beech
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
