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 Danish Teak Rocking Chair for Tarm Stole, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner, Tarm Stole
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Danish Modern teak rocking chair designed by Hans J. Wegner for Tarm Stole-og Møbelfabrik A/S, Denmark, circa 1960s. A quintessential example of Wegner’s mastery of form and ...
Fabric, Teak
$3,500
H 42.5 in W 27.5 in D 32.5 in
1970s Hans Wegner for Tarm Stole of Denmark Rocking Chair in Teak
By Tarm Stole
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Teak Rocking Chair, designed by Hans Wegner for Tarm Stole of Denmark. This example dates to the 1970s. The frame of the chair is composed of teak, and the seat and backres...
Steel
$1,980Sale Price|20% Off
H 41.5 in W 27.5 in D 32 in
Danish Modern Oversized Teak Rocking Chair by Hans Wegner for Tarm Stole
By Tarm Stole, Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Diego, CA
Danish Modern oversized teak rocking chair / rocker by Hans Wegner for Tarm Stole, circa 1970s This chair is even more impressive in person....
Upholstery, Teak
$1,584Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 24 in D 21 in
Vintage Danish Erik Ole Jorgensen Teak Rocking Chair for Tarm Stole
By Tarm Stole
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Jorgensen Danish Rocking Chair. Smaller scale perfect for a tight corner or childs bedroom. Solid structure. Comes with seat cushion as seen in pics.
Teak
Restored Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Rocker Rocking Chair
By Frank Reenskaug
Located in West Chester, PA
Danish modern solid teak rocker attributed to Frank Reeenskaug. Frame restored with a fresh teak oil finish and new webbing. Seat and back cushions brand new custom made by our exper...
Upholstery, Teak
Danish Modern Teak Rocking Chair by Frank Reenskaug for Bramin Møbler
By Bramin Mobler, Frank Reenskaug
Located in Charleston, SC
This beautiful vintage modern rocking chair features an unusual "X" shaped frame, sculpted arm rests, and a stylish spindle backrest all w...
Teak
$2,095
H 34.25 in W 26.75 in D 33 in
Newly Refinished - Danish Modern Teak Rocking Chair by Frank Reenskaug
By Frank Reenskaug
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished, Newly Reupholstered With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativit...
Fabric, Bentwood
$3,000
H 41.25 in W 24.25 in D 29.25 in
1970s Hans Olsen for Juul Kristensen Rocking Chair in Teak from Denmark
By Hans Olsen, Juul Kristensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Teak Rocking Chair, originally designed by Hans Olsen for Juul Kristensen. This particular example dates back to the 1970s. The chair's frame is comprised of solid teak and...
Fabric, Foam, Teak
$3,895
H 41.5 in W 24.5 in D 26.5 in
Rocking Chair in Solid Teak & Bouclé, Yngve Ekström for Swedese, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Deland, FL
This elegant Mid-Century Modern rocking chair, designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese in the 1960s, exemplifies Scandinavian design with its solid teak frame and newly custom upholste...
Teak
$3,098
H 42.13 in W 24.81 in D 36.62 in
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
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Armchair by Laurence Peabody
By Lawrence Peabody
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A clean and well-proportioned armchair designed by Laurence Peabody for Richardson Nemschoff. Features a solid walnut frame with simple lines and original white vinyl upholstery. A v...
Walnut
Vintage Danish Modern Armchairs – Niels Otto Møller Model 57, Teak, a Pair
By Neils O. Möller
Located in Delray Beach, FL
This exceptional early pair of Model 57 armchairs by Niels Otto Møller represents the purest expression of Danish Modern craftsmanship—where sculptural restraint, material honesty, a...
Leather, Teak
Vintage 1960s Hans Wegner GE 300 Lounge Chairs for Getama, Denmark
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A handsome and highly collectible pair of Danish Modern lounge chairs, model GE 300, designed by Hans Wegner for Getama and made in Denmark in the 1960s. These chairs embody Wegner’s...
Upholstery, Teak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Tall back lounge chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar furniture. Beautiful crisp lines frame the chair with grace and style. Edward Wormley’s designs are still often mimicked ...
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s Swedish Modern Safari Lounge Chair by Börje Johanson
By Börje Johanson
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A refined expression of Swedish modern design, this safari lounge chair by Börje Johanson pairs architectural restraint with relaxed comfort. Designed in the 1970s and produced by Jo...
Steel
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Vintage Ebonized Lounge Chair with Cream Bouclé
Located in Delray Beach, FL
An exceptional and rare lounge chair designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings. Fully refinished and reupholstered. A structure of beautiful solid round dowel shaped wood arranged with in...
Upholstery, Wood
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.
