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 J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen J.H 502 Swivel Chair
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Andersen
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautiful original example of this super rare swivel chair by Hans J.Wegner for Johannes Hansen, designated JH502. This amazing executive office chair model JH-502 was designed by...
Steel
$1,300 / item
H 32 in W 24 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Danish Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Ash Series 7 Swivel Desk Chair
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The elegant and versatile Series 7 chair was introduced in 1955 by the Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen and instantly became an iconic design. The Series 7 chair achieved ...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
$1,945
H 35.4 in W 24 in D 20.5 in
Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen (Knoll) Series 7 Swivel Desk Chair on Casters
By Knoll, Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Round Top, TX
Iconic Series 7 swivel desk chair, designed in 1952 by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, this example dates 2000. The chair is clear waxed bent plywood, on a bright chrome base, with b...
Steel, Chrome
$1,300 / item
H 32 in W 24 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Danish Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Oak Series 7 Swivel Desk Chair
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The elegant and versatile Series 7 chair was introduced in 1955 by the Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen and instantly became an iconic design. The Series 7 chair achieved ...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Arne Jacobsen Model 3217 Office Chair for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Iconic Model 3217 office chair designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen in the 1950s. This early edition beautifully reflects Jacobsen’s sculptural approach to seating combined wit...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Fritz Hansen Swivel Office Chair
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern desk chair boasts a tag underneath with the date 1980 and designer name, "Fritz Hansen." A lovely Danish design ...
Chrome
Model 3117 Desk Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Sevener
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Stamford, CT
Model 3117 steel and vinyl adjustable desk chair by Arne Jacobsen (Danish. 1902-1971) for Fritz Hansen Sevener. Stamped. Denmark.
Metal
Arne Jacobsen Model 3117 Office Chair for Fritz Hansen, 1978
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Dronten, NL
A refined Mid-Century Modern office chair, model 3117, designed by the renowned Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen. This example was produced in 1978 and co...
Steel, Chrome
$1,760
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Model 3117 Office Swivel Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1994
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Series 7 chair is an icon of modern furniture history, designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1955. Its unique shape is timeless and incredibly versatile, showing character without overwhelmi...
Metal
$1,984
H 34.65 in W 24.81 in D 18.9 in
Arne Jacobsen Model 3217 Office Chair for Fritz Hansen, First Edition, 1950s
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
An iconic Model 3217 office chair designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen during the 1950s. This early first edition combines Jacobsen’s sculptural approach to seating with the fu...
Metal
The Swan office chair by Arne Jacobsen
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
AJ 3323 - Reupholstered 'The Swan' lounge chair in olive-tanned aniline leather (Vitoria 7348) on an old four-star base with tilt function and on wheels. Arne Jacobsen / Fritz Hansen
Steel
PK 9 Tulip Chair by Poul Kjærholm
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjærholm PK 9 - 'Tulip' chair in patinated natural leather with steel frame. E. Kold Christensen.
Leather
JH 518 - Rare 'Bull Chair' by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
JH 518 - Rare 'Bull Chair' in solid oak and with seat of new, braided cane. Original label from manufacturer. Designed in 1961. Hans J. Wegner / Johannes Hansen
Oak
Armchair by Knud Færch
By Knud Faerch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Cowhorn chair in teak and oak with black leather seat. Knud Færch / Slagelse Møbelværk.
Leather, Oak, Teak
W2 - Dining chair by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner, C.M. Madsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
W2 dining chair in oak with patinated wicker. Designed by Hans J. Wegner and made by cabinetmaker C.M. Madsen. The wicker differs from each chair - contact for individual pictures.
Wicker, Oak
PK 20 Easy Chair by Poul Kjærholm
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 20 - easy chair with reddish brown leather on frame of steel. Poul Kjærholm / Fritz Hansen.
Steel
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.
