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Carl Hansen Sofas

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.

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Creator: Carl Hansen
Hans J. Wegner CH72 Loveseat Sofa in Oxblood Leather, Danish Design, 1952
Hans J. Wegner CH72 Loveseat Sofa in Oxblood Leather, Danish Design, 1952

Hans J. Wegner CH72 Loveseat Sofa in Oxblood Leather, Danish Design, 1952

By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen

Located in San Diego, CA

The CH72 Love seat sofa is a refined two-seater design by Danish architect and master designer Hans J. Wegner, originally introduced at the Danish Furniture Design Exhibition in Cope...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Carl Hansen Sofas

Materials

Leather, Teak

Frits Henningsen, two seat Coupe sofa, model FH436
Frits Henningsen, two seat Coupe sofa, model FH436

Frits Henningsen, two seat Coupe sofa, model FH436

By Carl Hansen, Frits Henningsen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Frits Hennignsen two seater Coupe sofa with fabric and leather tubings. Frame of oak. Model FH436, made by Carl hansen.

Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Hansen Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wool, Oak

2021 KK48651 Addition Sofa / Bench in Leather w/ Dark Wood Legs by Kaare Klint
2021 KK48651 Addition Sofa / Bench in Leather w/ Dark Wood Legs by Kaare Klint

2021 KK48651 Addition Sofa / Bench in Leather w/ Dark Wood Legs by Kaare Klint

By Carl Hansen, Kaare Klint

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a KK48651 Addition Sofa made with a tan leather seat and walnut legs (or perhaps dark stained oak). The bench, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in De...

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2010s Danish Modern Carl Hansen Sofas

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Leather, Wood

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Three-seater sofa model 5011 in original leather and eight-legged ash base. Produced by Rud. Rasmussen Cabinetmakers, Denmark. Minor marks on the frame, patina to the leather. Shown at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition in 1935. Kaare Klint is widely recognized as the father of Danish modern design. It is hard to overstate his influence. He developed an entirely new analytical approach to furniture design that his students at the Danish Academy of Art would emulate for years to come, yet was also inspired by historic designs from various cultures, modernizing and re-interpreting classic pieces for new generations. Literature: Gorm Harkær, Klintiana: “Kaare Klint”, vol.2, pg 94. Shipping services: Ask for our competitive shipping quote. Kaare Klint (1888-1954) is regarded as the founding father of Danish Modernim. As an architect, furniture designer and leading professor at the Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Klint established the principles of modern Danish furniture by combining a profound appreciation of traditional construction techniques with a modernist emphasis on function and a rejection of ornaments. Klint’s design was always based on relentless research; he never compromised. Every piece had to fulfill its purpose, be completely clear in its construction with dimensions and proportions corresponding to the human body and display materials and craftsmanship of the highest quality. Logic, often using a mathematical system of measures, and a constructive way of thinking were the foundation of Klint’s philosophy of furniture design. Like many of his contemporaries, counting Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, he advocated standardization and functional requirements and dismissed the use of all ornamentation. But Klint realized his vision in wood and leather, using traditional craftsmen and working methods and often finding inspiration in historical models. In this way, he charted the course for an alternative Nordic Functionalism that idealized the workshop and the collaboration between furniture architects and cabinetmakers as opposed to the factory. Kaare Klint’s first major work was a collaboration with his mentor, the architect Carl Petersen. In 1914 they were commissioned to design furniture and fixtures for Faaborg Art Museum. One of the highlights to emerge from this commission was the Faaborg chair, a light and elegant chair with clear references to classical furniture. The construction and proportions of an 18th century English Chippendale...

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By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen

Located in WIJCKEL, NL

Two-seater sofa model 5011 in original cognac leather and six-legged mahogany base. Produced by Rud. Rasmussen Cabinetmakers, Denmark. Minor marks on the frame, patina to the leather. Back covered in original canvas. Shown at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition in 1935. Signed with manufacturer’s label to underside: (Rud. Rasmussens Snedkerier). Kaare Klint is widely recognized as the father of Danish modern design. It is hard to overstate his influence. He developed an entirely new analytical approach to furniture design that his students at the Danish Academy of Art would emulate for years to come, yet was also inspired by historic designs from various cultures, modernizing and re-interpreting classic pieces for new generations. Literature: Gorm Harkær, Klintiana: “Kaare Klint”, vol.2, pg 94. Shipping services: Ask for our competitive shipping quote. Kaare Klint (1888-1954) is regarded as the founding father of Danish Modernim. As an architect, furniture designer and leading professor at the Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Klint established the principles of modern Danish furniture by combining a profound appreciation of traditional construction techniques with a modernist emphasis on function and a rejection of ornaments. Klint’s design was always based on relentless research; he never compromised. Every piece had to fulfill its purpose, be completely clear in its construction with dimensions and proportions corresponding to the human body and display materials and craftsmanship of the highest quality. Logic, often using a mathematical system of measures, and a constructive way of thinking were the foundation of Klint’s philosophy of furniture design. Like many of his contemporaries, counting Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, he advocated standardization and functional requirements and dismissed the use of all ornamentation. But Klint realized his vision in wood and leather, using traditional craftsmen and working methods and often finding inspiration in historical models. In this way, he charted the course for an alternative Nordic Functionalism that idealized the workshop and the collaboration between furniture architects and cabinetmakers as opposed to the factory. Kaare Klint’s first major work was a collaboration with his mentor, the architect Carl Petersen. In 1914 they were commissioned to design furniture and fixtures for Faaborg Art Museum. One of the highlights to emerge from this commission was the Faaborg chair, a light and elegant chair with clear references to classical furniture. The construction and proportions of an 18th century English Chippendale chair was also clearly visible in the famous Red Chair, designed in 1927 for the lecture hall at The Museum of Arts and Crafts (now Design Museum Denmark), but with its straight back deprived of all unnecessary decoration and its beautiful Niger leather, the Red Chair was far from an imitation. Other important works include The Propeller Stool (1927), The ‘Mix Chair’ designed in collaboration with his pupil Edvard Kindt-Larsen in 1930, the Safari Chair (1930), The Deck Chair (1939 and The Church Chair designed in 1936 for the Bethlehem Church in Copenhagen. Also noteworthy are Klint’s well-proportioned cabinets and wardrobes...

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1930's Frits Henningsen Sofa with Dramatic Flared Arms of Mahogany.
1930's Frits Henningsen Sofa with Dramatic Flared Arms of Mahogany.

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Previously Available Items
Frits Henningsen, two seat Coupe sofa, model FH436
Frits Henningsen, two seat Coupe sofa, model FH436

Frits Henningsen, two seat Coupe sofa, model FH436

Sold

H 39.38 in W 59.06 in D 27.56 in

Frits Henningsen, two seat Coupe sofa, model FH436

By Carl Hansen, Frits Henningsen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Frits Hennignsen two seater Coupe sofa with fabric and leather tubings. Frame of oak. Model FH436, made by Carl hansen.

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1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Hansen Sofas

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Wool, Leather, Oak

Hans J Wegner Leather Sofa, CH163
Hans J Wegner Leather Sofa, CH163

Hans J Wegner Leather Sofa, CH163

Sold

H 28.35 in W 76.78 in D 31.11 in

Hans J Wegner Leather Sofa, CH163

By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner

Located in London, GB

Superb CH163 Leather 3 seater sofa by Hans J Wegner. Soft black leather with walnut frame. Wonderful design by Hans Wegner together with finest craftsmanship fr...

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Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Carl Hansen Sofas

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Carl Hansen sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Carl Hansen sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs.

Questions About Carl Hansen Sofas

  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
    Carl 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.