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. 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 Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Børge Mogensen and others.
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.
Family-owned since its inception, 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 chairs, case pieces and other furniture.
2022 Borge Mogensen for Carl Hansen BM5568 Deck Lounge Chair in Teak Untreated
By Børge Mogensen, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale are four BM5568 deck chairs (sold individually) made of solid teak wood. The chair was designed by Borge Mogensen and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark. It da...
Teak
2023 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH327 Dining Table in Solid Oak Oil 75x37 in
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH327 Dining Table made with a solid oak frame and top. The finish is oiled. This table was designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark. It dates to circ...
Oak
2022 Carl Hansen CH30P Dining Chair in Oak by Hans J. Wegner w/ Upholstered Seat
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This CH30P Dining Chair is made with a solid oak frame and dark grey woven fabric. The chair, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates circa 2022 a...
Oak, Fabric, Wood
2006 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH002 Drop Leaf Dining Table in Oak, 36 x 74
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH002 Dining Table, designed by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son in 1960. This example dates to 2006 and is formed of white oak. The piece features hinged extension leaves...
Steel
2021 Hans Wegner Carl Hansen CH415 Side / End Table 21.5 Oak Top Stainless Steel
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH415 Side / End Table made with an oiled oak top and stainless steel legs. The CH415, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark, dates to circa 2021 a...
Stainless Steel
2019 Carl Hansen CH336 Extension Dining Table in White Laminate w/ Steel Legs
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH336 Extension Dining Table made with a white laminate top and brushed steel legs. The table, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates t...
Stainless Steel
$1,750 / item
Hans Wegner Elbow Chair in Soaped Oak
By Carl Hansen
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
With a long history of amazing craftsmanship, dating back to the beginning of the company in 1908 in Odense, Denmark, Carl Hansen & Son is deeply rooted in the Danish Design Movement...
Leather
2023 Carl Hansen CH388 Dining Table in White Laminate
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH388 Dining Table, originally designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1960. This particular example was produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark in 2023. The table is comprised of a stain...
Steel
2023 Preludia Bar Table BA102-15060 by Brad Ascalon for Carl Hansen
By Carl Hansen, Brad Ascalon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Preludia bar table BA102-15060, originally designed by Brad Ascalon in 2018. This particular example was produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark in 2023 The table is comprised o...
Laminate, Oak
2022 Carl Hansen CH011 Coffee Table in Oak Soap by Hans Wegner Made in Denmark
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH011 Coffee Table Table made of solid oak with a soaped finish. The CH011, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark, dates to circa 2022 and is guara...
Wood
2021 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH008 Walnut Coffee Table 80cm
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a CH008 Coffee Table, made with a solid walnut top and legs. The table, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates to circa 2021 a...
Walnut
2023 Set of 7 EOO4 Dining Chairs by EOOS for Carl Hansen Blue Fabric and Oak
By Carl Hansen, EOOS
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of seven EOO4 Embrace dining chairs with a solid oak frame and a seat upholstered with a blue woven fabric with dark blue trim. The chair was designed by EOOS and produ...
Fabric, Down, Oak
C. 2021 Carl Hansen CH71 Lounge Chair in Divina Melange with Oak Soap MINT
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This CH71 Lounge Chair is made with a solid oak frame with grey felted wool fabric. The chair was designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark. It dates circa...
Fabric, Wood
2021 Carl Hansen Woodlines Area Rug in Black by Naja Utzom Popov 79x118 inches
By Naja Utzon Popov, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a NUP004 Woodlines area rug made with hand knotted woolen yarn in black with black lines. The rug was designed by Naja Utzom Popov and produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark. It ...
Wool
2021 Carl Hansen Botanica Midori Area Rug designed by Naja Utzon Popov, 95 x 142
By Naja Utzon Popov, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Botanica Midori area rug, designed by Naja Utzom Popov and produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark. The listed price includes one rug. We have two available for purchase. They d...
Wool
2021 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH008 Lacquered Walnut 31 x 31 x 21
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH008 coffee table made with a lacquered walnut oak top and legs. The table, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates to circa 2021 and i...
Walnut
2022 Brad Ascalon for Carl Hansen Preludia Chair Black with Red Leather BA003F
By Brad Ascalon, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a BA003F Preludia Metal Sled Chair made with an black powder coated steel frame and red leather seat. Designed by Brad Ascalon and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in...
Steel
2022 Carl Hansen Preludia Bar Stool in Grey Fabric by Brad Ascalon, Model BA004F
By Brad Ascalon, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a BA004F Preludia Bar Stool, made with a chromed steel frame and a gray Fjord 17 fabric seat. Designed by Brad Ascalon and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, the stool...
Steel
2021 Carl Hansen White Woodlines Area Rug 200x300cm Naja Utzom Popov of Denmark
By Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a NUP004 Woodlines area rug made with hand knotted woolen yarn in ivory white with black lines. The rug was designed by Naja Utzom Popov and produced by Carl Hansen in Denmar...
Wool
2021 Carl Hansen Woodlines Area Rug in Cream and designed by Naja Utzom Popov
By Naja Utzon Popov, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Woodlines area rug, designed by Naja Utzom Popov and produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark. The piece is made of hand-knotted woolen yarn in cream, and it has contrasting blac...
Wool
1980s Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH-52 Lounge Chair in Beech and Fabric
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH-52 Lounge Chair, originally designed by Hans Wegner in 1965. This particular example was produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark and dates to the 1980s. The chair is comprise...
Foam, Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Bar Stool CH 56 by Hans Wegner, New Edition
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern CH 56 stool by Hans Wegner. New edition. This elegant 76 cm barstool was designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1985. It is available in oak o...
Oak
2022 Brad Ascalon for Carl Hansen Preludia Chair Black with Fiord Fabric BA003F
By Carl Hansen, Brad Ascalon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a BA003F Preludia Metal Sled Chair made with an black powder coated steel frame and purple fabric seat. Designed by Brad Ascalon and produced by Carl Hansen & Son ...
Steel
2024 Carl Hansen FK11 Folding Adjustable Lounge Chair by Fabricius and Kastholm
By Carl Hansen, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a FK11 folding adjustable lounge chair, originally designed by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm in 1963. This particular example was produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denm...
Steel
2021 Mogens Koch & Carl Hansen MK99201 Mahogany Oil Stand For Folding Chairs
By Carl Hansen, Mogens Koch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a listing for two (2) MK99201 Folding Chair Racks, made for six MK99200 Folding Chairs, made with solid oiled mahogany wood. The rack, designed by Mogens Koch and produced by...
Wood
2022 Carl Hansen White on White Woodlines Area Rug by Naja Utzon Popov
By Carl Hansen, Naja Utzon Popov
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale are two NUP003 Woodlines area rugs, priced individually, made with hand knotted woolen yarn in ivory white with ivory white lines. The rug was designed by Naja Utzom ...
Wool
2020 CH88T Dining Chair by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen Natural White Beech
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH88T dining chair made with a white powder coated steel frame and beech wood backing and seat. The chair, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denm...
Steel