Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Family-owned since its inception, Carl Hansen & Søn has been one of the most prestigious furniture manufacturers in Denmark for more than a century. The firm has produced timeless masterpieces of Scandinavian modernism by iconic designers Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Børge Mogensen and others.
In 1908, cabinetmaker Carl Hansen opened his first small workshop near Odense, Denmark, where he created furniture by hand in the preferred Victorian style of the times. Hansen expanded his operations by 1915 due to high demand. The larger factory allowed room for more modern machinery and a staff of many journeymen who produced a small series of their most popular pieces, including coffee tables, cabinets and sculptural, inviting armchairs. The firm became known for marrying the finest handmade craftsmanship with efficient production processes.
The Great Depression of the 1930s saw worldwide furniture sales plummet, and many furniture manufacturers were forced to shutter their workshops. At the age of 23, furniture maker Carl Hansen’s youngest son, Holger, took control of his father’s factory and piloted it through the era’s uncertain waters.
Holger Hansen’s youthful enthusiasm, innovative spirit, and intuitive business savvy kept their company afloat. He believed in the quality of the firm’s work and the cutting-edge designs that were produced at its factory, which emerged from modest beginnings to become a pivotal piece of the history of Danish furniture.
Owing to Holger’s leadership, Carl Hansen & Søn emerged from the Great Depression and entered into creative alliances with many acclaimed Danish masters of mid-century design, including Kaare Klint, Børge Mogensen, Arne Jacobsen, Ole Wanscher, Frits Henningsen and Poul Kjærholm.
None of these partnerships proved as prolific as their relationship with Hans Wegner, however. In 1949, the cabinetmaker moved to Denmark’s Funen Island and was staying in Holger’s family home, as the then-Carl Hansen CEO had commissioned Wegner to create a chair for the company that was similar to his popular China chair of 1944.
Wegner began to work closely with the company’s craftsmen and devised a streamlined chair with a Y-shaped back and woven paper-cord seat. The legendary Wishbone chair, which still involves nearly 100 processes and takes weeks to make, has been in continuous production since its 1950 debut.
Carl Hansen & Søn has manufactured some of the most extraordinary chairs, sofas and lounge chairs for living room relaxation in the history of design. Their dining room tables and chairs run the gamut in style and functionality, from everyday comfort to elegant entertaining. The company’s impressive roster of contemporary designers includes renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the Vienna-based design firm EOOS and celebrated American industrial designer Brad Ascalon. They remain the world’s largest producer of Wegner’s furniture and still enjoy a collaborative relationship with the Hans J. Wegner Studio.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Carl Hansen & Søn chairs, tables, case pieces and other furniture.
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
2010s Danish Post-Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
2010s Danish Post-Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Teak
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Granite, Stainless Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Hansen & Søn Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Carl Hansen & Søn desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
- What is Carl Hansen famous for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025Carl Hansen is famous for his work as a furniture maker. In 1908, the cabinetmaker opened his first small workshop near Odense, Denmark, where he created furniture by hand in the Victorian style. Later, Carl Hansen & Søn would become one of the most prestigious furniture manufacturers in Denmark. The firm has produced timeless masterpieces of Scandinavian modernism by iconic designers including Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen and Børge Mogensen. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Carl Hansen furniture.