Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chairfor A.P. Stolen Denmark, 1950's
About the Item
- Creator:A.P. Stolen (Manufacturer),Hans J. Wegner (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 38.75 in (98.43 cm)Width: 35.75 in (90.81 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Seat Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. This Papa Bear chair has been restored and reupholstered to an historically accurate standard. We have chosen a Maharam wool for its historical accuracy and its great feel. This wool is also very durable.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6417238403942
Papa Bear Chair
The wingback Papa Bear chair, also known as the Teddy Bear chair, has two outstretched arms with wood detailing once described by a critic as “great bear paws embracing you from behind” — hence the name. The piece was designed by Hans Wegner (1914–2007), a pioneer of Danish modernism who crafted nearly 500 chairs over the course of his long career. Not many of them, however, have the anthropomorphic qualities that this one does.
Wegner was raised in the south of Denmark, where he served as an apprentice to a cabinetmaker as a child. Inspired to study architecture and design, he enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, then opened his own studio in 1943, working closely with peers like Arne Jacobsen, Erik Møller and more. Wegner was a leading figure of the Scandinavian modern movement, which championed quality craftsmanship, elegant design and efficient functionality.
The Papa Bear chair was Wegner’s first project with manufacturer A.P. Stolen, which enjoyed numerous collaborations with the designer over time. Originally produced with a solid beechwood frame, Wegner’s chair, with its high backrest, lengthy back legs and comfortable cotton-upholstered cushioning, was designed in 1951 and had its first manufacturing run from 1953 to 1969. Its current production is managed by Danish joinery workshop PP Møbler, and the Papa Bear chair and ottoman are now available in a variety of wood and textile finishes.
Hans J. Wegner
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Hans J. Wegner Mama Bear Lounge Chair Model AP 27By Hans J. WegnerLocated in San Diego, CAThe AP-27, also known as the Mama Bear chair, was designed by Hans Wegner in 1957. This iconic chair has a tall back and oak wood paws and beautifully sculpted arms. As with every We...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
- Peacock Chair by Hans J. Wegner for PP Møbler, in Ash PP550By Hans J. Wegner, PP MøblerLocated in San Diego, CAPeacock Chair designed by Hans J. Wegner for PP Møbler is an easy chair with a natural papercord seat. The Peacock Chair is historically anchored in the classic British Windsor Chair...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsPapercord, Ash, Teak
- Set of Six Hans Wegner Teak CH23 Chairs in Danish Cord by Carl HansenBy Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. WegnerLocated in San Diego, CAThis chair is an excellent example of why Wegner's designs have set the standard. This set of 6 CH23 dining chairs designed by iconic furniture designer Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hanse...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCord, Teak
- Set of 6 Hans Wegner CH-30 Dining ChairsBy Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & SønLocated in San Diego, CAThis is a stunning set of 6 dining chairs model CH30 designed by Hans J. Wegner and manufactured by Carl Hansen & Son in Odense Denmark 1950. These chairs are an early design by Weg...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak, Teak
- 4 Hans J. Wegner Cow Horn Chairs for Johannes Hansen in OakBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in San Diego, CASet of 4 Restored Oak Cow Horn chairs by Hans Wegner with new olive green leather seats. This set of Cow Horn Chairs are rarely seen and extraordinarily crafted with inlays of Braz...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Rare Hans J. Wegner Settee For Johannes Hansen, Model JH 555By Hans J. WegnerLocated in San Diego, CAWe are so excited to present this gorgeous rare Hans J. Wegner Settee For Johannes Hansen, Model JH 555, with slanted upholstered seat and back, on a teak base,...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
MaterialsWool, Teak
- Danish Modern Leather "Papa Bear" Chair by Hans J. Wegner for A.P. StolenBy Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in North Hollywood, CAGorgeous vintage “Papa Bear” chair designed by the famous Danish architect and furniture maker Hans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen in Denmark, circa...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak, Teak
- Hans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen ‘New Papa Bear’ Easy ChairBy Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in Waalwijk, NLHans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen, ‘New Papa Bear’ lounge chair, model AP69, oak, reupholstered in Ohmann Colorado nubuck leather, Denmark, 1968/69 This D...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Hans J. Wegner Papa Bear AP19 chair by A.P. Stolen Denmark Leather and teakBy A.P. Stolen, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Virginia Beach, VAAn original AP19 “Papa bear” chair designed by Hans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen, designed in 1951 and made in Denmark. This example with new black leather and featuring teak legs and ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Hans Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear Chair in for A.P. Stolen, Denmark, circa 1952By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in Costa Mesa, CAHans Wegner AP-19 papa bear chair for A.P. Stolen, Denmark, circa 1952. This piece has been expertly restored in Kravet Couture tan & gray wool upholstery. A.P. Stolen Makers stamp t...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wool, Teak
- Papa Bear Chair by Hans Wegner for A.P StolenBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Dallas, TXA beautifully restored Papa Bear chair designed by Hans Wegner for A.P. Stolen. Upholstered in Larsen / Sedona / SeaglassCategory
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair and Ottoman for A.P. StolenBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in San Francisco, CAHans J. Wegner design "Papa Bear" chair and matching ottoman produced for A.P. Stolen, Denmark. This an original matched set that has been perfectly refinished and newly upholstered ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak, Teak
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Iconic Furniture Makes This 1958 Midwestern Home a True Mid-Century Gem
Designer Susan Yeley turned to 1stDibs to outfit an Indiana home with standout pieces that complement its modernist style.
Iconic Furniture Gives These 1stDibs 50 Rooms Timeless Appeal
A well-made armchair, table or pendant lamp can afford both comfort and convenience. An exceptional one can transform a space. See how the honorees on this year’s 1stDibs 50 list of top interior designers used standout pieces to create the kind of rooms you never want to leave.