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.
Mid-Century Modern Danish Wegner Teak Dresser from Ry Møbler '1950s'
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Introducing a timeless treasure - a Mid-Century Modern Danish Wegner Teak dresser from Ry møbler, crafted in the 1950s. This beautifully aged cabin...
Teak
Exquisite Johannes Andersen teak dresser, from the 1960's
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare Danish teak dresser by Johannes Andersen, dating from the 1960s. Featuring three drawers with beautifully sculpted recessed handles, rounded edges and elegant tapered legs. A fi...
Teak
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Dresser by Kai Kristiansen, 1960’s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Exquisite chest of drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of teak and has beautiful detailed lines w...
Teak
A unique Hans J. Wegner tambour teak cabinet by Plan Møbler, Denmark 1941.
By Hans J. Wegner, Plan Møbler
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans J. Wegner Tambour Cabinet by Plan Møbler, Denmark, 1941 Rare early tambour cabinet designed by Hans J. Wegner for Plan Møbler, originally created for Aarhus City Hall in Denmar...
Oak
Kai Kristiansen Teak Dresser, 1960’s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Chest of drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of teak and has beautiful detailed lines with his sign...
Teak
1970s Rosewood Dresser
By Reoval
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A Classic Danish dresser from the 1970s. Simple and functional.
Rosewood
Hans Wegner Tambour Roll Up Cabinet Danish Teak
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Fraser, MI
Danish Teak Tambour Desktop Cabinet. Designed by Hans Wegner.
Brass, Steel
Mid century danish oak tambour door produce cupboard with key
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century danish oak tambour door produce cupboard with key. Tambour door with key and had 2 plastic vented slide out shelves. Plenty of storage for vegetables bread and other prod...
Oak
Bernhard Pedersen Mid Century Danish Teak Tambour Door Armoire Dresser
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Bernhard Pedersen Mid Century Danish Teak Tambour Door Armoire Dresser This armoire measures: 47.5 wide x 19 deep x 45.25 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Top Surface of Dresse...
Teak
Tambour Front Cabinet by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A simple storage cabinet in white oak having a finely slatted tambour front that conceals adjustable shelves and file storage.
Oak
1970s Hans Wegner Johannes Hansen Denmark Tambour Oak Cabinet Storage System
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a rare vintage Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen of Denmark oak tambour storage unit/cabinet. This rare cabinet was part of a larger storage system, which allowed for the creation of fabulous modules for storage. This example carries its original Johannes Hansen label and original key. The Wood faces...
Oak
Danish Oak Small Storage Cabinet Mid-Century Modern 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fluted double doors open to reveal interior storage in a clean rectangular frame. Tapered square legs elevate the cabinet for a balanced silhouette. It showcases authentic Danish Mid...
Brass
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.
