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.
The story of how GETAMA got its name is perhaps as unique as the range of subdued but sophisticated Scandinavian modern furniture for which the manufacturer is known (thanks to a partnership with Hans Wegner).
In the late 1890s in the Danish town of Gedsted, a young cabinetmaker by the name of Carl Pedersen opted to use seaweed — rather than the traditional heather or straw — as mattress stuffing. Pedersen named his new factory Gedsted Tang-og Madrasfabrik (the “Gedsted Seaweed and Mattress Factory”), which he abbreviated to GETAMA. Seaweed’s fire-retardant properties make it an excellent and safe upholstery material for mattresses, chairs and sofas. Pedersen leveraged this quality as a selling point — the abundance of seaweed on the shores of Denmark and its weightlessness added to its appeal as an economical but durable upholstery filling for all kinds of furnishings. The crowning quality was its softness.
GETAMA’s seaweed mattresses proved so popular for their comfort and durability that Pedersen had to expand into a larger factory within the first year. He felt almost obligated to launch a line of bedroom furniture to accompany his much-loved mattresses.
The working relationship established in 1959 between Hans Wegner and GETAMA afforded the company the opportunity to break into the international market. Wegner — a legendary Danish carpenter and furniture designer revered by mid-century modern collectors everywhere — became one of the brand’s principal designers and often spent a great deal of time at the factory — refining and adjusting each new piece until he felt satisfied that it was ready for production. For decades, Wegner’s impressive contributions to GETAMA’s daybeds, lounge chairs, sofas and dining room tables became the backbone of the company’s sales.
Over the years, other designers entered into working agreements with GETAMA, including Nissen & Gehl, OM Design, 2R Design, Blum and Balle, and Jørgen Gammelgaard. Copenhagen native Nanna Ditzel, a Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts alum who trained under Kaare Klint, designed GETAMA’s Mondial coffee table. Alongside her husband, Jørgen Ditzel, she also created the sensuously curvy and wildly popular Ring chair.
Today, the sleek modern furniture that GETAMA manufactures is still inclusive of their lauded mattresses.
On 1stDibs, find vintage GETAMA seating, tables, storage cabinets and other furniture.
$2,830
H 16.93 in W 70.87 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Danish Teak Daybed Model GE19 by Hans J. Wegner, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
An elegant and lightweight teak daybed, model GE19, designed by Hans J. Wegner in the 1960s, exemplifying the refined simplicity and exceptional craftsmanship of Danish modern design...
Teak
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 78 in D 35 in
Hans J. Wegner for Getama – Model GE6 Teak Daybed, Denmark, 1960
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Chicago, IL
Hans J. Wegner for Getama – Model GE6 Teak Daybed, Denmark, 1960 A classic Danish modern daybed designed by Hans J. Wegner for Getama, model GE6, crafted in teakwood with newly uph...
Upholstery, Teak
1950s Hans J Wegner Daybed Model Ge19 by GETAMA, Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with good original corduroy fabric - sturdy and stable.
Fabric, Wood
$9,906
H 16.93 in W 40.95 in D 80.32 in
Large Teak Daybed by Bernhard Pedersen & Søn Model 159, Denmark 1960s
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Rosendahl, DE
This exquisite teak daybed, designed by Danish furniture maker Bernhard Pedersen & Søn, showcases the simplicity and elegance of classic Danish design. Its sleek, solid wood frame f...
Fabric, Foam, Teak
Scandinavian daybed in teak and cane Denmark 1960
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful and elegant Scandinavian daybeds, produced in Denmark in the 1960s. Crafted in warm-toned teak, the design is defined by its refined proportions and gently curved end panel...
Fabric, Teak
$7,750
H 10.83 in W 76.38 in D 32.88 in
Børge Mogensen Oak Daybed "Model 190" for Fredericia, Denmark 1950s
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Utrecht, NL
Børge Mogensen designed for function more than sculptural effect. Daybed Model 190 was designed in 1954 for Fredericia Furniture and shows Mogensen’s strong design ideals putting functionality and longevity first. Among the great mid-20th century Danish furniture designers, Børge Mogensen distinguished himself with his faith in traditional values of craftsmanship and honesty of materials. He focused on making pieces that were simple, durable and comfortable, while his chief tenets were quality of construction and simplicity of line. Even though he was a classicist, who believed that furniture forms should evolve from those of historical models, Mogensen shared the aesthetical sensibilities of his most forward-looking colleagues. This daybed has a simple look with understated elegance executed from high-quality materials. The solid oak construction stands on four round, tapered legs and has a lamella top with an upholstered mattress on it. Since the aesthetic is dominated by straight lines, the mattress has button tufting to bring depth into the appearance and accentuate the light coloured fabric. Paired with the blonde oak, the result is elegant and timeless, an aesthetic that can easily complement any style. Danish furniture maker Fredericia Stolefabrik was founded in 1911 by N. P. Ravnsø in an industrial port town of the same name. From the start, Ravnsø built Fredericia's reputation on quality and hired only the most skilled craftsmen he could find. In 1955, the Ravnsø family sold Fredericia to Andreas Graversen, whose first order of business would be to hire Børge Mogensen as head of design. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The mattress has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 76.37 in W x 32.87 in D x 10.82 in H (excl. mattress) 194 cm W x 83.5 cm D x 27.5 cm H (excl. mattress) About the designer: Børge Mogensen is without a doubt one of the most famous Danish designers. Born in 1914 in Aalborg, Mogensen was trained as a cabinetmaker and studied at the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen from 1936 to 1938, and architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts’ School of Architecture between 1938 and 1942. At the beginning of his career, he became head of F.D.B. Mobler’s furniture design studio. In 1950, he started his own design studio, collaborating with manufacturers Soborg, the Swedish company Karl Andersson and the famous manufacturer Fredericia from 1955. The collaboration with the latter resulted in many of Mogensen’s most famous furniture pieces, including the “Spanish Chair” and the “Ambassador Sofa...
Fabric, Wood
"Model 159" Daybed by Bernhard Pedersen & Søn, Denmark 1960s
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Utrecht, NL
This gorgeous daybed model by the Danish furniture maker Bernhard Pedersen & Søn was inspired by classic Danish furniture design and simplicity. The streamlined solid wood frame...
Wood, Fabric, Bouclé
'Berlin' daybed in beech by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson, Karl Mathsson
Located in Copenhagen, DK
'Berlin' daybed with new mattress upholstered in 'Heritage Linen' fabric (color: Natura) with lambskin neck pillow on a patinated beech frame. Label from Illums Bolighus. Designed by...
Lambskin, Fabric, Beech
$10,023
H 25.99 in W 78.35 in D 35.04 in
Hans J. Wegner 1950s Danish Modern Daybed in Oak and Rattan "GE7" Made at GETAMA
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Odense, DK
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA this amazing convertible daybed / sofa features a beautifully patinated oak frame and woven cane / rattan back seat which reveals a hidden space fo...
Wool, Cane, Rattan, Oak
Swedish Modern Berlin Daybed T303 by Bruno Mathsson 1960
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime stamped Berlin daybed model #T303 designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson in Varnamo, Sweden 1960. Crafted from blonde beechwood in the Scandinavian modern style o...
Fabric, Foam, Beech
Finn Juhl Japan Sofa by France & Son, All New Premium Upholstery
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Utrecht, NL
"Japan" series sofa by Finn Juhl, designed in 1957 made by France & Son Denmark. The sublime simplicity of the "Japan" series is inspired by traditional Japanese construction techni...
Fabric, Teak, Wool, Linen
Getama Hans Wegner Daybed & Lounge Chair Model GE1 - NO LONGER MADE / AVAILABLE
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Utrecht, NL
Daybed model GE1 by Hans Wegner in solid oak with oil finish and a bespoke fine bouclé fabric upholstery in seafoam-green from a premium Italian textile brand DEDAR. Hans J. Wegner'...
Stainless Steel
Cognac PK 31 /2 Sofa by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Utrecht, NL
PK 31 /2 sofa settee by Poul Kjærholm, manufactured by first manufacturer Ejvindt Kold Christensen Denmark (marking on last photo). Sofa comes with original upholstered frame panels...
Steel, Chrome
Arne Vodder AV53 Sofa by Ivan Schlechter, Black Leather, Danish Design
By Ivan Schlechter, Arne Vodder
Located in Utrecht, NL
Black leather 3-seat sofa model AV53 / 3 by Arne Vodder, designed in 1953 for Ivan Schlechter, Denmark. The sofa has a slightly curved backrest that flows smoothly into the upwardl...
Leather, Teak
Finn Juhl Armchair BO-46 - 1st. Original Savak Fabric Upholstery
By Bovirke, Finn Juhl
Located in Utrecht, NL
A rare and early example of armchair model BO-46 by Finn Juhl for Bovirke Denmark. Arm chair model BO-46 was designed by Finn Juhl in 1953 based upon his earlier designed chair model...
Fabric, Beech
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Magazine Tree Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Utrecht, NL
Magazine tree, model 4765 by American designer Edward Wormley executed in birch and sap grain walnut, designed in 1947 for Dunbar Furniture USA. A very special, functional and aesth...
Birch, Walnut
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.
