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.
Classic Teak and Oak Modernist Desk att to Hans Wegner , made in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Teak and Oak Modernist Desk att to Hans Wegner , made in Denmark..Superior quality and construction, 3 drawers and pull out shelf.. Locking top drawer (original key). Doveta...
Oak, Teak
Hans Wegner Style x-base four drawer Teak Desk / Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Buffalo, NY
Hans Wegner Style x-base four drawer Teak Desk / Denmark.. Classic design. 3 dove-tail drawers. Locking top drawer.. also slide out tray. Retains original finish / patina,Hand delive...
Teak
Classic Scandinavian Kidney Shape Desk in Teak attrib Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Danish teak kidney desk, 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern freestanding organically shaped writing desk. Kidney shaped table top in teak veneer. Drawer section with three drawe...
Teak
Early George Nelson Desk / Return, Child's Desk, Modernist, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early George Nelson desk / return, child's desk, Modernist, Herman Miller, Retains original Herman Miller foil label, 4 drawers, pencil dividers, steel frame, minor pitting (lower right side bottom). Original designed for larger desk, return, typewriter desk...
Aluminum, Steel
Mid-Century Modern Desk and Chair by Russell Wright for Conant Ball
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Buffalo, NY
Simple ,,smart design..... Conant ball desk and matching spindle chair in maple,,,, Russel Wright for Conant Ball Furniture Makers Mid-Century Modern ...
Cane, Birch
Scarce Teak Secretary Desk attrib. to Torbjorn Afdal / Denmark / Modernist
By Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Buffalo, NY
Scarce Teak Secretary Desk attrib. to Torbjorn Afdal / Denmark / Modernist . Elegant , architectural design.. Amazing original condition, BRASS DETAILING. 6 Dovetail joinery drawers,...
Brass
Hans J. Wegner Drop Leaf Desk or Table Model "AT-305" for Andreas Tuck, 1955
By Hans J. Wegner, Andreas Tuck
Located in Odense, DK
This magnificent drop-leaf table by Danish designer Hans J. Wegner can be used both as a work desk and as a dining table. The design is from 1955 and this particular table is from th...
Oak, Teak
Desk “AT 305” Designed by Hans J. Wegner for Andreas Tuck, Denmark, 1955
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk “AT 305” designed by Hans J. Wegner for Andreas Tuck, Denmark. 1955. Oak. Stamped by cabinetmaker Andreas Tuck. Dimensions: H: 73 cm / 2' 5" W: 75,5 cm / 2' 7" L: 139 cm / 4...
Oak
Hans J. Wegner Model 305 Drop-Leaf Desk, Oak & Teak, 1960
By Andreas Tuck, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hans J. Wegner Model 305 Writing Desk with two 18.75 drop-leaves on both ends. Iconic, beautiful and elegant design that functions beautifully! Oak body with Teak Top and drop-leaf...
Brass
Hans Wegner Drop Leaf Desk AT-305 for Andreas Tuck, 1955
Located in Savannah, GA
A Hans Wegner drop leaf desk or table, model AT-305 for Andreas Tuck, 1955. The top with custom finish for an artist in a thick white water-resistant poly coating (perfect for kitch...
Wood
Early Hans J. Wegner teak desk model AT-305, 1955
By Andreas Tuck, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Early Hans J. Wegner teak desk with three integrated drawers and two drop leaves. Designed 1955 and manufactured by cabinetmaker Anders Tuck, Denmark. Marked by maker. Dimension:...
Teak
Mid Century Danish Drop Leaf Expanding Desk Arne Vodder
By Arne Vodder
Located in Baltimore, MD
A desk with incredible form and presence. This rare most attractive original Danish Modern drop leaf desk by Arne Vodder (1926-2009) designed for Sibast Mobler in Denmark, features a...
Teak
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.
