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 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH20 Elbow Chair Oak with Caramel Leather Pad
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH20 Elbow Dining Chair made with a solid oak frame and caramel leather seat. The chair, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates to circ...
Leather, Oak, Foam
2023 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH24 Wishbone Chair Beech Green w/ Papercord
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH24 Wishbone Dining Chair made with a solid beech frame painted spring green with a white paper cord seat. This chair was designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hans...
Beech, Papercord
1960s Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Oak by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a fine set of eight CH23 Dining Chairs in oak and paper cord, initially designed by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen in 1950. These particular examples date to the 1960s. The roll...
Oak, Papercord
2022 Carl Hansen CH20 by Hans Wegner Bright Orange Beech Wood with Tan Leather
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH20 Elbow Dining Chair made with a bright orange wood frame and yellow leather seat. The chair, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates...
Leather, Beech
2023 Carl Hansen BA001S Preludia Chair in Walnut with Upholstered Leather Seat
By Carl Hansen, Brad Ascalon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a BA001S Preludia Wood Chair made with an oak frame and black leather seat. Designed by Brad Ascalon and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, the chair dates ...
Leather, Walnut
2021 CH36 Dining Chair Hans Wegner Carl Hansen Lacquer Oak Natural Paper Cord
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH36 Dining Chairwith an oiled solid oak frame and natural paper cord seat. The chair, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, was produced ci...
Oak, Papercord
2022 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH36 Dining Chair Oak Smoked Oil w/ Papercord
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH36 Dining Chair with a smoked oil, solid oak frame and natural paper cord seat. The chair, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, was produ...
Wood, Papercord, Oak
2022 Carl Hansen CH30P Dining Chair in Oak by Hans J. Wegner w/ Upholstered Seat
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
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
2023 Set of 7 EOO4 Dining Chairs by EOOS for Carl Hansen Blue Fabric and Oak
By EOOS, Carl Hansen
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
2023 Carl Hansen CH24 Wishbone Chair in Beech Dark Purple w/ Papercord 3x Avail
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is three CH24 Wishbone Dining Chairs made with a solid beech frame painted dark purple and white papercord seats. These chairs were designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl ...
Papercord, Beech
2023 Pair of Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH24 Wishbone Chair in Beech Lavendar
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of CH24 Wishbone dining chairs, originally designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949. These particular examples were produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark in 2023. The chairs ar...
Cord, Wood, Beech, Paper
2022 Brad Ascalon for Carl Hansen Preludia Chair Oak Oil BA001S Thor 325 Leather
By Carl Hansen, Brad Ascalon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a BA001S Preludia Wood Chair made with an oiled oak frame and tan leather seat. Designed by Brad Ascalon and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, the chair da...
Leather, 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
2022 Brad Ascalon for Carl Hansen Preludia Chair Black with Red Leather 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 red leather seat. Designed by Brad Ascalon and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in...
Steel
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
Hans Wegner Set of Six CH24 Wishbone Chairs for Carl Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Skokie, IL
Hans Wegner set of six various colored CH24 Wishbone Chairs with papercord seats for Carl Hansen, Denmark. Each CH24 Wishbone Dining Chair is made with a solid painted beech frame ...
Papercord, Beech
$9,000 / set
H 30 in W 18.5 in D 18 in
Set of 8 Original Hans Wegner Oak CH23 Chairs by Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring home the authentic mid-century modern Danish furniture that has become the envy of the design world with this exquisite set of original Hans Wegner CH-23 oak & rattan dining ch...
Wicker, Rattan, Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn 'Sawbuck' Dining Chair in Teak
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn, 'Sawbuck' dining chair, model CH29, teak, beige fabric, Denmark, design 1952 Hans Wegner's chair exemplifies a solid construction, despite its...
Fabric, Teak
$8,450 / set
H 28.5 in W 21.25 in D 20 in
Set of Six Oak "Wishbone" Chair by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of six oak and paper cord "Wishbone" chair by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son. CH24 'Wishbone' chair designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949 and made in Denmark in 1965 by Carl Han...
Oak
$1,470 / item
H 28.7 in W 21.3 in D 18.5 in
Hans J. Wegner 'CH20' Chair in Oak, Black Leather and Soap for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Glendale, CA
Hans J. Wegner 'CH20' Chair in Oak, Black Leather and Soap for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first wor...
Leather, Wood, Oak
$2,422 / item
H 27.96 in W 19.69 in D 27.56 in
Contemporary Mexican Easy Chair in Walnut Wood and Natural Leather Seat
By Laura Noriega
Located in Guadalajara, Jal.
The “Your Skin” easy chair is a comfortable low chair with a solid and light structure perfect to accentuate with its impeccable and minimal aesthetics the decoration in every room o...
Leather, Walnut
$9,240 / set
H 31.7 in W 25.6 in D 22.64 in
Set of 6 Contemporary Dining Chairs With Upholstered Seat and Back
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This exceptionally versatile dining Chair adapts seamlessly to any setting, from homes to offices. Its bold architectural design features a wooden frame with striking angular-cut leg...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$8,277 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.87 in D 19.3 in
Set of Eight Danish Vintage CH-23 Dining Chairs by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and iconic set of eight Danish vintage CH-23 dining chairs by for Carl Hansen. They were made in Denmark, they are early productions and date from the 1950’s. The quali...
Papercord, Teak, Beech
$9,000 / set
H 28.75 in W 21.66 in D 17.72 in
Set of Six Midcentury Wishbone Chairs in Patinated Oak by Hans Wegner, 1960s
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of six wishbone chairs in oak and paper cord designed by Hans J Wegner. Great original condition.
Papercord, Oak
$2,900 / item
H 33 in W 18 in D 21 in
Hypatia Side Chair With Unglazed Leather Seat And Back On Walnut Frame
By Brett Paulin, Alex Stap
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Hypatia side chair is beautifully Minimalist in design. Subtle and thoughtful details highlight the implicit characteristics of the materials, ultimately working in harmony to cr...
Brass
6 Karl Springer Onassis Chairs in Goatskin with Leather Seats
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six original Karl Springer Onassis Chairs in goatskin. The six chairs have been in a one user household and are in great vintage conditi...
Goatskin
$8,167 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 19.69 in
Hans Wegner CH30 Dining Chairs Carl Hansen, Denmark, 1950
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning set of 6 dining chairs model CH30 designed by Hans J. Wegner and manufactured by Carl Hansen & Son, Odense Denmark 1950. These chairs are an early design by Wegner as they w...
Faux Leather, Oak, Teak
Sold
H 29.9 in W 21.6 in D 20 in
C. 2020 Set of Five Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH24 Wishbone Dining Chairs
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of five CH24 Wishbone Dining Chairs, originally designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949. These particular examples were produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark C. 2020. The chair...
Walnut, Papercord
Sold
H 29.9 in W 21.6 in D 20 in
2023 Set of Four Carl Hansen Hans Wegner CH24 Wishbone Dining Chairs in Black
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four CH24 Wishbone dining chairs, originally designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949. These particular examples were produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark C. 2023. The chair...
Papercord, Wood
Sold
H 31.1 in W 24 in D 21.7 in
2022 CH111 Arm Dining Chair Thor 301 by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen 1x Available
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale are three CH111 Dining armchairs (sold individually) made with a stainless steel frame and black leather seat. The chair was designed by Hans Wegner and produced by C...
Stainless Steel
Four Hans Wegner CH29 Sawbuck Chairs
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Munich, DE
Four Hans Wegner dining chairs produced by Carl Hansen and Son in Odense, Denmark. It is a very old set with nice leather vintage patina. The frame are cof solid oak and the backrest...
Leather, Oak, Teak
Hans Wegner Wishbone CH24 Dining Chairs for Carl Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A complete set of six "Wishbone" dining chairs designed by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen in Denmark. The feature ebony solid beech frames with paper cord seats.
Papercord, Wood