The story of how GETAMA got its name is perhaps as unique as the range of subdued but sophisticated Scandinavian modern furniture for which the manufacturer is known (thanks to a partnership with Hans Wegner).
In the late 1890s in the Danish town of Gedsted, a young cabinetmaker by the name of Carl Pedersen opted to use seaweed — rather than the traditional heather or straw — as mattress stuffing. Pedersen named his new factory Gedsted Tang-og Madrasfabrik (the “Gedsted Seaweed and Mattress Factory”), which he abbreviated to GETAMA. Seaweed’s fire-retardant properties make it an excellent and safe upholstery material for mattresses, chairs and sofas. Pedersen leveraged this quality as a selling point — the abundance of seaweed on the shores of Denmark and its weightlessness added to its appeal as an economical but durable upholstery filling for all kinds of furnishings. The crowning quality was its softness.
GETAMA’s seaweed mattresses proved so popular for their comfort and durability that Pedersen had to expand into a larger factory within the first year. He felt almost obligated to launch a line of bedroom furniture to accompany his much-loved mattresses.
The working relationship established in 1959 between Hans Wegner and GETAMA afforded the company the opportunity to break into the international market. Wegner — a legendary Danish carpenter and furniture designer revered by mid-century modern collectors everywhere — became one of the brand’s principal designers and often spent a great deal of time at the factory — refining and adjusting each new piece until he felt satisfied that it was ready for production. For decades, Wegner’s impressive contributions to GETAMA’s daybeds, lounge chairs, sofas and dining room tables became the backbone of the company’s sales.
Over the years, other designers entered into working agreements with GETAMA, including Nissen & Gehl, OM Design, 2R Design, Blum and Balle, and Jørgen Gammelgaard. Copenhagen native Nanna Ditzel, a Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts alum who trained under Kaare Klint, designed GETAMA’s Mondial coffee table. Alongside her husband, Jørgen Ditzel, she also created the sensuously curvy and wildly popular Ring chair.
Today, the sleek modern furniture that GETAMA manufactures is still inclusive of their lauded mattresses.
On 1stDibs, find vintage GETAMA seating, tables, storage cabinets and other furniture.
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chair Folding MK16 by Mogens Koch, New Product
By Mogens Koch, GETAMA
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mogens Koch designed the MK16 folding chair for a supplemental church seating contest, reinterpreting the traditional folding stool by pairing easy fold...
Fabric, Oak
Mid-Century modern scandinavian chair Folding MK16 by Mogens Koch. New product.
By Mogens Koch, GETAMA
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mogens Koch designed the MK16 Folding Chair for a supplemental church seating contest, reinterpreting the traditional folding stool by pairing easy fold...
Leather, Oak
Hans Wegner for Getama Mid Century GE270 Teak Lounge Chair
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Hans Wegner for Getama Mid Century GE240 Teak Lounge Chair This chair measures: 26.5 wide x 29 deep x 29.5 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height/chair clearance 22 inches A...
Upholstery, Teak
$473Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish Oak & Blue Fabric Chair by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This modernist office chair was designed by Hans J. Wegner for the Danish manufacturer GETAMA Gedsted during the 1960s. The raw, geometric frame...
Fabric, Oak
$2,387Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 Vintage Midcentury Danish Modern Oak Chairs by Hans J Wegner for GETAMA
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This set of four chairs was designed by Hans J. Wegner for the Danish manufacturer Getama Gedsted during the 1960s. The raw, geometric frame of the chair is made of light oak wood. T...
Faux Leather, Oak
$3,588Sale Price / set|59% Off
Hans Wegner Midcentury Armchairs for GETAMA, Set of Four
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Rochester, England
Designed by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA, this set of four GE 151 armchairs are a Classic example of Mid-Century Modern design. Featuring angular black painted beechwood frames and arms, the newly restored chairs...
Faux Leather, Wood
Mogens Koch ‘Mk-16’ Safari Chair for Rud Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Mogens Koch furniture designed a lot of award wining midcentury furniture. The Danish architect was known for his functional approach to furniture design and for prioritizing comfort and accessibility. Koch also drew on older traditions and techniques. His chairs and tables show the influence of the Shaker Style and Englisch pieces of the 18th century. Koch was born in Copenhagen and attended the Royal Danisch Academy of fine Arts. After graduating, he worked as an assistant to Kaare Klint, an important figure in Danish modernism who was responsible for establishing the furniture design program at Koch’s alma mater. Klint favored historical styles and inspired Koch to view furniture design as an evolutionary process built on the traditions of the past. Over the course of their partnership, in the late 1920s, Koch began creating modular bookcases. In 1932, Rud Rasmussen began to produce Koch designs. An early Koch seating design that the Danish manufacturer made was the MK Safari...
Leather, Beech
$1,275 / item
H 28.5 in W 20 in D 17 in
Superb Midcentury Hans Wegner FH4103 Chairs ( Up To Six Available)
By Hans J. Wegner, Fritz Hansen
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration are these beautiful dining chairs designed by Hans Wegner. Having gorgeous original patina with splendid craftsmanship while utilizing a space saving design. U...
Oak, Teak
Mid Century Danish Hans Wegner W2 Teak Chairs Four
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Baltimore, MD
An exceptional set of four original 'W2' model chairs, designed by Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, circa 1960's. The teak frames feature modern styling with a distinct beautiful design, scu...
Upholstery, Teak
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.38 in W 29.63 in D 22.75 in
Hans Wegner GETAMA GE-420 Ottoman / Sake Table Vintage 1960s Danish Midcentury
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Hyattsville, MD
GE-420 Ottoman without a cushion, order a cushion that matches your interior after purchase. Or can be used as a low platform / table / plant stand. Overall W 29 5/8 x D 22 3/4 x ...
Oak
Mogens Koch Wingback Chair
Located in Bantam, CT
Rare Wingback Lounge Chair designed by Danish architect Mogens Koch. Upholstered in linen with leather piping. Designer – Mogens Koch Materials – Oak, linen, leather Origin – Denmar...
Leather, Linen, Oak
Hans Wegner Cow Horn Chairs
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of four Hans Wegner cow horn chairs with cane woven seats. Manufactured by Johannes Hansen.
Cane, Teak
Set of Six W2 Dining Chairs by Hans Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of six W2 chairs designed in 1953 by Hans Wegner for C. M. Madsen, Denmark. Solid teak wood and new upholstery with tan leather.
Leather, Teak
$4,779
H 40.95 in W 29.93 in D 29.93 in
Hans J. Wegner Rocking Chair by GETAMA, Black Leather, Oak, 1970s
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner lounge chair / rocking chair original black leather upholstery. Frame of soap treated oak Model Nøglehullet, made by GETAMA.
Leather, Oak
$15,293 / set
H 30.71 in W 20.48 in D 16.54 in
Hans J. Wegner Set of Six Chairs in Teak for Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans J. Wegner set of six chairs for Johannes Hansen. Model JH-504. Frame in Teak, seat and back in cane.
Cane, Teak
$8,064 / item
H 28.75 in W 27.17 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chair Model Cow Horn PP 505 by Hans Wegner
By PP Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Courbevoie, FR
"Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian chair model cow horn PP 505 by Hans Wegner. New production. Great luxury sometimes comes in small packages. This is one of Wegn...
Cherry
Cigar Chair Model GE240 by Hans J Wegner for Getama
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A very nice example of this classic chair, freshly uphosltered in Mocha coloured Boucle fabric. The frame in Oak and all in great condition.
Fabric, Oak
$4,181
H 39.38 in W 29.93 in D 32.29 in
Hans J. Wegner Model 290A Lounge Chair, Solid Oak, Mid-Century Modern
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner lounge chair made of solid oak. New upholstered with vintage tan aniline leather. Model 290A, made by GETAMA.
Wool, Oak
Sold
H 27.56 in W 22.05 in D 20.48 in
Hans J. Wegner Armchairs, Model GE-525, Oak and Aniline Leather, GETAMA
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner armchairs in massive new renovated soap treated oak New upholstered with black semi aniline leather. Model GE-525, made by GETAMA.
Leather, Oak
Teak Hans Wegner Lounge Chair GE290 by GETAMA - Fully Restored
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Utrecht, NL
Lounge chair GE290 is a beloved early design by Hans Wegner, Wegner already designed the chair in 1953. The chair offers exceptional good seating comfort and much convenience is offe...
Wool, Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 29.93 in D 30.71 in
Oak Hans Wegner Lounge Chair GE290, GETAMA, Premium Fabric, Pair Available
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Utrecht, NL
GE290 lounge chair by Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA, Denmark. Pair available, listed individually. Solid oiled oak frames, loose cushions upholstered in a premium off-white handwoven bespok...
Wool, Linen, Oak
Sold
H 26.78 in W 25.2 in D 19.69 in
Hans J. Wegner, “Ge 460” Armchair, Black Leather, GETAMA, Designed, 1977
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Lejre, DK
One of Wegner's designs is the GE 460 armchair, which was created in 1977. The chair is made of soap treated oak wood and has a seat and backrest upholstered in black leather, which ...
Oak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 29.93 in D 30.71 in
Oak Hans Wegner Lounge Chair GE290, GETAMA, Premium Fabric, Pair Available
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Utrecht, NL
GE290 lounge chair by Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA, Denmark. Pair available, listed individually. Solid oiled oak frames, loose cushions upholstered in a premium off-white handwoven bespoke fabric. Sample available upon request. Lounge chair GE290 is a much appreciated early design by Hans Wegner. Wegner already designed the chair in 1953. The chair offers exceptional good seating comfort and much convenience is offered from the wide armrests that can hold a cup, book and phone...
Linen, Oak, Wool
Armchair, Model GE-290, Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA, 1953
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Lejre, DK
Armchair, model GE-290, designed by Hans J. Wegner oak frame upholstered in black fabric with colorful stripes. The chair was designed in 1953 and branded Getama, where the chair is ...
Oak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 26.78 in D 30.71 in
Hans J. Wegner Set of Lounge Chair Model GE-240 & Ottoman in Oak and Teak, 1950s
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
One of the most iconic chairs from the 1950s Danish modern is the "Cigar" chair by Hans J. Wegner. This one is from the very early GETAMA production that was made with armrests in so...
Wool, Oak, Teak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 29.93 in D 30.71 in
Hans Wegner Oak Lounge Chair GE290 by GETAMA - 2 Pieces Available
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Utrecht, NL
Lounge chair GE290 is a much appreciated early design by Hans Wegner. Wegner already designed the chair in 1953. The chair offers exceptional good seating comfort - partly due to cus...
Linen, Oak
Sold
H 35.04 in W 20.08 in D 21.26 in
Scandinavian Armchair GE 290 by Hans Werner from 1953 for GETAMA Danish
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Scandinavian armchair GE 290 by the famous designer Hans Werner from 1953 published by GETAMA. Solid oak frame with sloping legs and a backrest that slopes slightly backwards for per...
Wool, Oak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27.96 in D 25.2 in
Hans Wegner Arm Chair by GETAMA Model 265 in Oak and Leather, 1987
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Hellouw, NL
Nice Hans Wegner arm chair by GETAMA Model 265 in oak and leather from Denmark 1987. This chair is robust and comfortable in a nice colored tan leathe...
Leather, Oak
Hans Wegner Oak Lounge Chair GE290 by GETAMA '1 of 3 Chairs'
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Utrecht, NL
Lounge chair GE290 is a much appreciated early design by Hans Wegner. Wegner already designed the chair in 1953. The chair offers exceptional good seating comfort - partly due to cus...
Linen, Oak
Pair of Hans Wegner Lounge Chairs GE290 by GETAMA
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Utrecht, NL
Lounge chair GE290 is a much appreciated early design by Hans Wegner. Wegner already designed the chair in 1953. The chair offers exceptional good seating comfort - partly due to cus...
Oak, Linen