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.
Pair of Hans Wegner Lounge Chairs for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Very rare and well-constructed pair of Wegner Model JH 812 lounge chairs in chrome-plated steel with original saddle leather, circa 1970. Documented in Hans J. Wegner's 100 Chairs...
Steel
Pair of Danish Hans Wegner armchairs for Getama GE181
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of 1950s Scandinavian armchairs by Danish designer Hans Wegner, model "GE181," produced by Getama. Frame in light solid oak, seats and backs in camel leatherette. The entire set...
Faux Leather, Wood
$24,000 / set
H 32.75 in W 27.5 in D 25 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon pair of mahogany lounge chairs newly upholstered in dark grey wool savak.
Wool, Mahogany
$6,852 / set
H 25.99 in W 29.93 in D 29.53 in
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Vintage Hans J. Wegner Model GE-290 Armchairs
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Kramfors, SE
Vintage Hans J. Wegner armchairs model GE-290 for Getama Gedsted, Denmark. The armchairs are a mid century classic by one of the most famous names of the time, Hans J. Wegner (Denmar...
Oak
Pair of Armchairs Designed by Hans Wegner for Getama
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Paris, FR
Solid oak, wool seat 80 x 75 x 85 cm
Wool, Oak
Pair of Hans J. Wegner CH30 Chairs, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stockholm, SE
New leather (natural) seats. Listed price is for the pair. Produced in Denmark.
Teak
Pair of Danish Vintage Teak Armchairs
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, GB
A very stylish, very comfortable and extremely well made pair of Danish vintage teak armchairs, dating from the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding, they have beautiful teak armrests...
Bouclé, Teak
$7,900Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 38.75 in W 27 in D 31 in
A Pair of Vintage Mid Century Armchairs in the Style of Marco Zanuso
Located in Chicago, IL
A classic pair of Italian Mid-Century lounge chairs in the style of Marco Zanuso's 'Lady Chairs'. The chairs are set upon boldly sprayed and tapered solid brass legs. The overall for...
Metal
Pair of Danish Modern Lounge Chairs by Hans Olsen
By Hans Olsen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Danish modern lounge chairs, designed by Hans Olsen, Denmark, circa 1960s. The chairs are being reupholstered, and can be completed in your fabric. Simply send us 8 yards tot...
Upholstery, Wood, Teak
Hans Wegner pair of armchairs
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Milano, IT
Hans J. Wegner (1914-2007) Pair of CH-28 Sawbuck armchairs with teak wood frame and fabric upholstery. De Padova 1960's
Wood
Original Pair of Egg Chair armchairs Fritz Hansen Designed by Arne Jacobsen
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Amazing Pair of The Egg / Egg Chairs by Fritz Hansen, Perfect condition in a woven black fabric this matching pair is all original and all st...
Steel
Nelo Wave Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen, Pair
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Pair of Nelo Wave Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for Nelo of Sweden. . Great condition. unique space age design and incredibly comfortable. These Chairs swivel and ad...
Metal
Bruno Mathsson perilla lounge chair
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Beautiful newly upholstered Bruno Mathsson perilla chair. Done in top grain cowhide and shearling lambs wool. The classic lines and timeless style of this classic are highlighted by ...
Leather, Beech
Lounge chair Bart Van Bekhoven
By Bart Van Bekhoven
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
This chair is a visual work of art. It is as comfortable as it it sexy. The lines create visual movement throughout the form. A rare find and coveted by any designer collector. The c...
Leather, Hardwood
Alfred Christensen Lounge Chair, Lambs Wool, Beech, Denmark, 1960s
By Alfred Christensen
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Incredible lines follow the arms curved back and stunning lambs wool upholstery. Beech arms and legs. Created in the 1960’s by Alfred Christensen this Beauty has been completely re u...
Lambskin, Wool, Beech
1940s Halabala Style Lounge Chair in Shearling
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
This is one of two beautiful Dutch midcentury chairs re upholstered in a stunning long curly haired shearling. They are works of unique design ...
Sheepskin, Mahogany
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.
