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.
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
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
$2,343
H 29.53 in W 55.12 in D 23.63 in
Oak desk with three solid oak drawers in mid century modern style
Located in SULECHÓW, -
Oak desk in mid-century style with three drawers and brass handles. The tapered legs are finished with brass plated aluminum feet. Desk made of solid oak wood and wood covered with n...
Brass
$1,354
H 38.19 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Solid Teakwood Bureau with Secretary Desk, Germany, 1950
Located in Madrid, ES
This mid-century bureau was produced in Germany in the 1950s and is crafted entirely from solid teakwood. The piece combines storage and writing functions in a compact and well-balanced design, characteristic of postwar European furniture focused on practicality and clean lines. The bureau features three drawers that provide organized storage, along with an extensible writing desk that allows the piece to function comfortably as a workspace. The upper section is designed as a secretary, concealed behind a rounded folding door that closes smoothly, maintaining a clean and uncluttered appearance when not in use. This curved door detail adds visual softness while reinforcing the craftsmanship of the piece. When open, the desk surface sits at a height of 72 cm, offering an ergonomic working position. The full depth of the open desk...
Teak
Mid-Century Teak Desk, 1960s
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Mid-Century Teak Desk, 1960s A beautifully crafted mid-century desk made of teak, featuring clean lines and refined proportions characteristic of Scandinavian design from the 1960s....
Teak
$2,226 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Oak desk with two solid walnut drawers in mid-century modern style
Located in SULECHÓW, -
Oak desk in mid-century style with two drawers and brass handles. The tapered legs are finished with brass plated aluminum feet. Desk made of solid oak wood and wood covered with nat...
Brass
$2,343 / item
H 29.53 in W 55.12 in D 23.63 in
Black oak desk with two solid drawers and shelf in mid century modern style
Located in SULECHÓW, -
Desk in mid-century style with two drawers, shelf and brass handles. The tapered legs are finished with brass plated aluminum feet. Desk made of solid oak wood and wood covered with ...
Brass
$7,500
H 28 in W 64.5 in D 32.13 in
Danish Modern "Kontour" Steel and Teak Executive Desk by Hans Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk (Kontour - Model A 164 ) by Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen, ca. 1965, Denmark. Composed of a stainless steel frame supporting a solid teak surface ...
Stainless Steel
$2,900
H 29 in W 49.5 in D 26 in
Classic Teak and Oak Modernist Desk att to Hans Wegner , made in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Teak and Oak Modernist Desk att to Hans Wegner , made in Denmark..Superior quality and construction, 3 drawers and pull out shelf.. Locking top drawer (original key). Doveta...
Oak, Teak
A Fine French Modernist Solid Oak Desk
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French modernist solid oak writing table with one drawer.
Bronze
$12,000
H 28.3 in W 37.4 in D 74.8 in
2010s Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH110 Executive Desk in Oak w/ Stainless Steel
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
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
Mid Century Desk
Located in London, England
Lovely solid English oak kidney shaped desk. Drawers all run smooth. Recently refinished. British 1960s L 127cm X H 72cm x D 60cm
Oak
$838Sale Price|70% Off
H 52.76 in W 20.48 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century French Oak Desk-Cabinet, circa 1940
Located in Labrit, Landes
Midcentury French Desk Cabinet, circa 1940 Solid oak Ideal for office storage : one part to store documents in binders, one part can be used as a shelf and two drawers. Good condi...
Oak
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Executive Oak Desk
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Executive Oak Desk This desk measures: 84.25 wide x 33 deep x 29.25 inches high, with a ch...
Oak
Sold
H 13.78 in W 29.53 in D 29.53 in
Hans J. Wegner Scandinavian Modern Oak and Mahogany Blanket Chest, Model GE20
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
Designed in the 1950s by Hans J. Wegner this beautiful and rare chest features flip toplid concealing storage. The inside is of the chest is veneered with rich grained mahogany. Nice...
Brass
Pair of Hans Wegner GE - 430 Nightstands - Natural Oiled Oak
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1969, the 430 nightstand features unparalleled craftsmanship. This chest is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted, Denmark by skilled cabine...
Oak
Hans Wegner Nightstands, 1960 Getama, Teak, Wall-Mounted
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in London, GB
A pair of original Danish midcentury 1960s Hans J Wegner nightstands. Constructed from teak with a black glass surface. Manufactured by GETAMA, Denma...
Glass, Teak
Hans Wegner Nightstands, Wall Mounted, Teak
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in London, GB
A pair of original Danish midcentury 1960s Hans Wegner nightstands. Constructed from teak with a black glass surface. Manufactured by GETAMA, De...
Glass, Teak