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.
2010s Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH110 Executive Desk in Oak w/ Stainless Steel
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH110 Executive desk, originally designed by Hans Wegner in 1970. This particular example was produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark in the 2010s. The desk is comprised of both...
Stainless Steel
2021 Carl Hansen CH-110 Director's Desk by Hans Wegner in Lacquered Oak
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH110 Desk made with an oak top and stainless steel base. The desk, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates to...
Stainless Steel
Rare 1970s Gianni Walnut & Lucite Floating Executive Desk
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and Monumental 1970s Gianni Floating Walnut & Lucite Executive Desk in the style of Vladimir Kagan. Beautiful solid walnut bullnose edging, two smaller drawers on the left ...
Steel
$7,895
H 29 in W 65 in D 31.5 in
Expertly Restored -Danish Modern Executive Sculpted Rosewood Desk by H.P. Hansen
By H.P. Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
___________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. W...
Rosewood
1968 Executive Desk
By Warren Platner
Located in Hanover, MA
Executive desk formerly belonging to noted architect George M. Notter, (1933–2007) of the Boston firm Anderson Notter Finegold (now known as Finegold Alexander Architects). Current institutional memory at the firm suggests it was a special order from Herman Miller for the then new New York offices of MGM, however Herman Miller's archivist was unable to confirm. Styling, particularly the distinctive slim milled aluminum tracks through which the entire drawer carriage glides is clearly similar to Warren Platner's designs for Lehigh-Leopold which were then among the most costly of executive office furnishings. The bent flat bar chromed steel base with its distinctive pigeon toe splay is somewhat similar to a table base in Stow Davis' Electa Series, designed by Alexis Yermakov circa 1971. Walnut laminate top is very clean with no issues. One corner edge shows a small separation. The only identifying markings are within the milled aluminum channel: G.P. F.I. 2 And the date Dec. 20, 1968. See image 18. Between the rectangular laminate top and the chrome base is a heavy blackened steel plate. Underneath the bent chrome pigeon toe feet are bars of a thick phenolic material which act as floor protector. We can have keys made to fit the two locking drawers. Tim Anderson...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 60 in D 32 in
Mid century Hans Wegner desk model 156 GETAMA Solid Oak
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 1960s Danish solid white oak desk Model 156 with (2) drawers designed by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA Manufacturer. The Solid Oak desk with Brass key lock with key on (1) drawer...
Wood, Oak
Bruce Burdick Executive Desk for Herman Miller
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An iconic modular executive desk designed by Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller, circa 1980s. This sophisticated workstation is part of Burdick’s celebrated office system, known for i...
Aluminum, Steel
$5,800 / item
H 29.5 in W 68.9 in D 31.5 in
Natsu Curved Oak Desk with Lacquered Accents and Side Storage
Located in Baguim Do Monte, PT
Natsu Curved Oak Desk with Lacquered Accents and Side Storage The Natsu Desk combines refined elegance with practical functionality. Crafted in oak veneer and enhanced by subtle lac...
Oak, Lacquer
Mid-Century Scandinavian pine desk by Andreas Hansen
By Andreas Hansen
Located in Seaford, GB
Mid-Century Modern Free-Standing Pine Desk by Andreas Hansen – Vintage Danish Designer from Denmark designed this wonderful Mid-Century Scandinavian pine desk in 1969. Clean Lines: ...
Pine
$6,500
H 28.5 in W 68.75 in D 37.5 in
Danish Modern Executive Teak Desk by Arne Vodder for H.P. Hansen
By Arne Vodder, H.P. Hansen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The stunning Danish modern executive teak desk was designed by Arne Vodder for H.P. Hansen in Denmark, circa the 1960s. This rectangular desk shows wonderful details that are very well executed. Features a pull-out dovetailed drawer and a file drawer, all integrated with original solid steel handles. On the opposite side of the desk, there's a modesty panel, showcasing teak...
Steel
Carl Malmsten Swedish Grace Executive Desk
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Atlanta, GA
An inlaid rosewood and flame birch desk with locking drawer, filing cabinet and pullout drawers. Various wood inlay. Finished on all sides. Knee hole...
Rosewood
Lou Hodges Mid Century Oak Cantilever Executive Desk
By Lou Hodges
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lou Hodges Mid Century Oak Cantilever Executive Desk This desk measures: 71.75 wide x 32 deep x 28.25 high, with a chair clearance of 25 inches Great Vintage Condition - Small Area...
Oak
$6,500
H 28.75 in W 68.75 in D 37.5 in L 28.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Executive Teak Desk by Arne Vodder for H.P. Hansen, 1960s
By Arne Vodder, H.P. Hansen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by the celebrated designer Arne Vodder and crafted by H.P. Hansen, this Danish Modern executive desk is a masterclass in Scandinavian craftsmanship and functional design. Pr...
Steel
$19,398
H 29.93 in W 70.87 in D 31.5 in
Jean Desk: Hand-Crafted Oak & Polished Stainless Steel, Italian Design
By ULTRAMOBILI
Located in Pesaro, IT
Jean Desk: Hand-Crafted Oak & Polished Stainless Steel, Italian Design DESIGNER: ULTRAMOBILI // MATERIALS: Polished Stainless Steel base, Hand-crafted Oak Top // ORIGIN: Italy, ...
Stainless Steel