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.
Wingback Armchair by Hans J. Wegner for Getama
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A wingback lounge armchair with a teak frame, retaining the original grey wool upholstery.
Oak, Upholstery
$4,858 / set
H 39.38 in W 30.71 in D 33.47 in
Oak Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA GE530, Denmark, 1970s
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Hans J. Wegner - Lounge Chair and Ottoman GETAMA GE530 , Denmark Classic GE530 lounge chair by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA, featuring a clean design and high-quality craftsmanship in ...
Oak
Hans Wegner Sheepskin & Oak Papa Bear Chair 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. Stolen
Located in London, England
Hans J. Wegner - AP-19 Papa Bear Chair, 1953 Vintage, original 1950s production of one of Danish master Hans Wegner's most iconic designs. The Papa Bear is rightly considered one of...
Sheepskin, Oak
Hans Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear Chair in Green Boucle Fabric
By A.P. Stolen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, England
Hans J. Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear chair, 1953 Vintage, original 1950s production of one of Danish master Hans Wegner's most iconic designs. The Papa Bear is rightly considered one...
Fabric, Wool, Oak
Hans Wegner Boucle, Teak & Oak Papa Bear Chair 1950s
By A.P. Stolen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, England
Hans J. Wegner - AP-19 Papa Bear Chair, 1952 Vintage, original 1950s production of one of Danish master Hans Wegner's most iconic designs. The Papa Bear is rightly considered one of...
Oak, Wool, Bouclé, Cotton, Teak
Cigar Chair Model GE240 by Hans J Wegner for Getama
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
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
Hans Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear Chair in Boucle Fabric
By A.P. Stolen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, England
Hans J. Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear chair, 1953 Vintage, original 1950s production of one of Danish master Hans Wegner's most iconic designs. The Papa Bear is rightly considered one...
Fabric, Bouclé, Teak
Hans Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear Chair in Green Wool Fabric
By A.P. Stolen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, England
Hans J. Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear chair, 1953 Vintage, original 1950s production of one of Danish master Hans Wegner's most iconic designs. The Papa Bear is rightly considered one...
Fabric, Wool, Oak
Original Hans Wegner Cigar Chair Made in Denmark for GETAMA c 1950's
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in New York, NY
The definition of iconic, this classic Mid Century Danish Modern lounge chair, is known as The Cigar Chair, it was designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA. This example was produced in D...
Upholstery, Oak
Hans Wegner Rosewood Papa Bear Chair in Boucle Fabric
By A.P. Stolen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, England
Hans J. Wegner - AP-19 Papa Bear Chair, 1953 Vintage, original 1950s production of one of Danish master Hans Wegner's most iconic designs. The Papa Bear is rightly considered one ...
Fabric, Wool, Rosewood
$5,110
H 25.2 in W 29.93 in D 31.5 in
Pair of 'Plank' Chairs Model GE290 by Hans Wegner for Getama in Oak
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
These are in excellent original condition, the cushions retain their spring upholstery and recovered in Abraham Moon wool fabric in Fern Green, overall a great pair of classic mid-ce...
Fabric, Oak
Iconic Papa Bear Wingback Chair by Hans Wegner, 1951
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Kensington, MD
Iconic Papa Bear Wingback Chair by Hans Wegner, 1951 Additional information: Material: Upholstery, Oak, Teak We are pleased to offer this true icon of Danish design, the incredibly ...
Upholstery, Oak, Teak
$47,000 / set
H 29.93 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
Rare Hans J. Wegner for Getama Pair of 'Sawbuck' GE215 Lounge Chairs
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans J. Wegner for Getama, pair of 'Sawbuck' lounge chairs, model 'GE215, reupholstered fabric, lacquered steel, oak, leather, brass, Denmark, 1955 Designed by Hans J. Wegner and produced by GETAMA, the GE215 Sawbuck chair holds a special place in Wegner’s work. Although he is best known for chairs made from solid wood with intricate joinery, this design shows him experimenting with a diversity of materials and different techniques. The GE215 reworks Wegner’s earlier wooden Sawbuck chairs. It keeps the familiar crossed frame and clear structure made from slim black-lacquered steel, yet positioned in a low-slung angle. The thick cushions newly reupholstered in a textural orangey fabric contrast strongly with the sleekness of the frame, defining its main character. The angled armrests recall the sculptural “flipper” shapes seen in his CH28 chair...
Brass, Steel
Bernt Petersen Model 1201 Easy Chair for GETAMA
By Bernt Petersen, GETAMA
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Award winning modern take on a high back wing chair in steel and wool by Bernt Petersen for GETAMA. Exuberant wool felt fabric by Kvadrat.