Hans J. Wegner

Danish, 1914-2007

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.

Average Sold Price

$6,062

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Iconic Designs from Hans J. Wegner

Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.

Papa Bear Chair

Wishbone Chair

Hans Wegner Round Chair

Hans Wegner China Chair

Oak Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA GE530, Denmark, 1970s

$5,028 / set

H 39.38 in W 30.71 in D 33.47 in

Oak Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA GE530, Denmark, 1970s

By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner

Located in Rosendahl, DE

Hans J. Wegner - Lounge Chair and Ottoman GETAMA GE530 , Denmark Classic GE530 lounge chair by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA, featuring a clean design and high-quality craftsmanship in ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Oak

Hans J. Wegner Sofa Model GE-290/2, 1950

$4,500

H 29 in W 50.75 in D 32 in

Hans J. Wegner Sofa Model GE-290/2, 1950

By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA

Located in Los Angeles, CA

wonderful Danish two-seat sofa, model GE290/2 designed by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA, 1950, with a solid oak frame and original spring loaded cushions with patterned upholstery (from ...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Oak, Upholstery

Hans J. Wegner Model J16 Rocking Chair, 1961

$2,600

H 42 in W 25.25 in D 35 in

Hans J. Wegner Model J16 Rocking Chair, 1961

By FDB Møbler, Hans J. Wegner

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wonderful model J16 rocking chair by Hans Wegner for FDB Møbler, designed in 1944, in light-gray painted beech with woven paper cord seat. This example was produced in 1961, features...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Papercord, Beech

Hans J Wegner Flag Halyard Chair, 1950 Mid Century Danish Modern

$13,500 / item

H 31.75 in W 41 in D 41.5 in

Hans J Wegner Flag Halyard Chair, 1950 Mid Century Danish Modern

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, PP Møbler PP225 Flag Halyard Chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner, features a stainless steel frame wrapped in specialize...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Stainless Steel

Scandinavian Modern Hans J. Wegner Rocking Chair, Red Lacquer, 1960s, Denmark

$5,172

H 42.13 in W 24.81 in D 36.62 in

Scandinavian Modern Hans J. Wegner Rocking Chair, Red Lacquer, 1960s, Denmark

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Odense, DK

Rare early rocking chair model J16 by Hans J. Wegner manufactured by FDB in the 1960s. This rare red lacquered version were made in few numbers for a limited time-period and are a ra...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Papercord, Beech, Lacquer

Scandinavian Modern Hans J. Wegner "RY" Chest of drawers in Oakwood, 1962

$4,570

H 27.96 in W 39.38 in D 19.3 in

Scandinavian Modern Hans J. Wegner "RY" Chest of drawers in Oakwood, 1962

By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler

Located in Odense, DK

A beautifully crafted example of mid-century Danish design, this early “RY” chest of drawers by Hans J. Wegner reflects his talent for combining practicality with a clean, understa...

Category

1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Oak

Midcentury Modernist “Architect's Desk”, Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, 1960s

$58,941

H 28.75 in W 86.62 in D 37.41 in

Midcentury Modernist “Architect's Desk”, Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, 1960s

By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen

Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län

Amazing “Architect’s Desk”, model #JH571, by Hans J. Wegner, made from teak in a generous size. Subtly tapering oak legs supported by brass stretchers. Deep drawers with custom made ...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Metal

A pair of Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen JH501 "The Chair" in Teak & Cane

$9,995 / set

H 30 in W 18 in D 25 in

A pair of Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen JH501 "The Chair" in Teak & Cane

By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen

Located in Seattle, WA

A pair of model JH501 with cane seat and back, designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen. This iconic Danish modern design is best known as "The Chair.” The more common version ...

Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Cane, Teak

Browse all Furniture from Hans J. Wegner

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Hans J. Wegner Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$1,350	Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables	Teak	1960
2026	$5,890	Lounge Chairs	Upholstery, Teak	1960s
2026	$750	Dining Room Chairs	Papercord, Walnut	2021
2026	$5,995	Sofas	Leather, Oak	1960s
2026	$6,508	Lounge Chairs	Oak, Leather	1960s
2026	$2,264	Sofa Tables	Oak, Teak	1960s
2026	$1,547	Dining Room Tables	Oak, Teak	1960s
2026	$4,800	Dining Room Chairs	Papercord, Oak, Walnut	Contemporary
2026	$25,500	Chairs, Lounge Chairs	Wool, Wood	1960s
2026	$2,550	Night Stands	Glass, Oak	1960
2026	$6,800	Sideboards	Oak	1950-1960
2026	$8,300	Lounge Chairs	Teak	1950s
2026	$1,600	Ottomans and Poufs	Oak	1969
2026	$16,000	Lounge Chairs	Wool, Oak	1960s
2026	$6,000	Chairs	Rush, Beech	1970s
2026	$4,000	Daybeds	Upholstery, Teak	1950s
2026	$5,842	Lounge Chairs	Papercord, Oak	circa 1955
2026	$3,150	Night Stands	Art Glass, Teak	circa 1960s
2026	$11,000	Desks	Oak	2000
2026	$7,400	Club Chairs	Fabric, Oak	c1950s

$6,062

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$295-$48,000

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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More Hans J. Wegner Designs

Papa Bear Chair

Average Price

$31,885

Number Available

Papa Bear Chair

By Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Hardwood, Teak, Oak, Animal Skin

Styles

Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century Modern

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...

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Wishbone Chair

Average Price

$4,257

Number Available

Wishbone Chair

By Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Wood, Natural Fiber, Oak, Papercord

Styles

Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern

Although Hans Wegner’s (1914–2007) Wishbone chair stands as a classic exemplar of mid-century Danish design, its aesthetic roots actually begin farther east. In the 1940s, Wegner, then a recent graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and working for Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller, was inspired by a series of photos of Danish merchants sitting in Chinese Ming dynasty–era armchairs. The chairs were recognizable for the single, curved shape that made up their back and arms, a simplified...

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Hans Wegner Round Chair

Average Price

$13,354

Number Available

Hans Wegner Round Chair

By Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Teak, Natural Fiber

Styles

Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern

In September of 1960, when Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy sat down for the first nationally televised presidential debate, the two candidates rested on one of the most celebrated designs of the 20th century. Often called simply “The Chair,” the Round chair is one of hundreds designed by Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007). As he once said, “The good chair is a task one is never completely done with.” Nicknamed the “Master of the Chair,” influential Danish designer Wegner inventively used natural ma...

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Hans Wegner China Chair

Average Price

$18,865

Number Available

Hans Wegner China Chair

By Hans J. Wegner

Materials

Wood, Animal Skin, Leather, Cherry, Hardwood, Rosewood

Styles

Scandinavian Modern

When he designed the first edition of his modest Chinese chair — or China chair — Denmark native Hans Wegner (1914–2007) had been reportedly moved by portraits he’d seen of Danish businessmen relaxing in traditional round-backed Ming dynasty–era chairs. While the legendary furniture maker’s tribute to East Asian seating — a minimal cherrywood chair with a curved bentwood back support and removable leather seat cushion — called on Oriental forms that preceded him by hundreds of years, it merge...

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The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

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Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs

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.

Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chair Still Feels Fresh, 70 Years after Its Debut

To celebrate the Wishbone’s 70th anniversary, Carl Hansen & Søn’s third-generation CEO, Knud Erik Hansen, shares some of the secrets behind the beloved chair.

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Hans J. Wegner furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Hans J. Wegner furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Hans J. Wegner furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 1,167 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 368 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Hans J. Wegner were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen, and Børge Mogensen. Prices for Hans J. Wegner furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $170 and can go as high as $110,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,031.

Questions About Hans J. Wegner

Is Hans Wegner real?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Hans Wegner is indeed a real person. He was a prolific furniture designer affectionately referred to as “the master of the chair”. Throughout his lifetime, he created 500 chairs, all considered masterpieces. Shop a collection of Hans Wegner’s furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
How do I pronounce Hans Wegner?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To pronounce Hans Wegner, say "Hans VEG-ner." His last name is Danish. Native speakers of the language may say the surname like "VAY-ner," but "VEG-ner" is the standard in English. Find a selection of Hans Wegner furniture on 1stDibs.
How do I identify a Hans Wegner chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To identify a Hans Wegner chair, look for hallmarks of his style. Most joints feature mortise and tenon construction, and armrests and seat supports are often hand-sculpted. Nearly all of his chair frames are solid wood. A piece fashioned out of wood composites is unlikely to be genuine. Find a collection of expertly vetted Hans Wegner chairs on 1stDibs.
How do I identify Hans Wegner furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To identify Hans Wegner furniture, familiarize yourself with the Danish designer's pieces by conducting some online research. He is particularly well known for his chairs, including the Peacock chair, a throne-like adaptation of the Windsor chair, and the Wishbone chair, which has a distinctive Y-shaped back splat.

Wegner’s comfy Papa Bear chair (1951) is an almost surreally rescaled English wingback chair, while his 1963 Shell chair has a curved surfboard-shaped seat.

Wegner's primary material was wood, so pieces crafted out of composites, plastics or metals are less likely to be by Wegner. Some of his pieces do bear his signature, but not all do. As a result, experts generally recommend having a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer assist with the identification process.

On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Hans Wegner furniture.
Are Hans Wegner chairs comfortable?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Whether or not Hans Wegner chairs are comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. The Danish furniture designer did design his pieces with functionality in mind, striving to craft chairs that users would enjoy sitting in. Many of his chairs built upon traditional designs, such as the Peacock chair inspired by the classic Windsor chair. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of Hans Wegner chairs.
What was Hans J Wegner famous for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Hans J. Wegner was famous for creating chairs and other types of seating. Some of the Danish designer's most well-known pieces include the Papa Bear chair, the Round chair, the Wishbone chair and the China chair. Find a collection of Hans J. Wegner chairs on 1stDibs.
How do I cord a Hans Wegner peacock chair’s seat?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
You can cord a Hans Wegner peacock chair in a number of ways. Traditionally, the chair featured an over-under weave created by first wrapping the seat with vertical pairs of cord running from the back to the front. Then, artisans worked horizontally, pulling the cord through the vertical pairs. However, you can find many other patterns to try online. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Hans Wegner peacock chairs.
What pairs well with the CH07 chair by Hans Wegner?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
What pairs well with the CH07 chair by Hans Wegner is largely a matter of personal preference. To keep the eye focused on its dramatic curves, some interior decorators pair it with simple boxy sofas and tables. Feel free to experiment and create your own furniture layouts using the CH07 or shell chair. Find a collection of Hans Wegner CH07 shell chairs on 1stDibs.