Best known for his chairs and other seating pieces — though a master of many furniture types like sofas and tables — Hans Wegner was a prolific designer whose elegant, often ebullient, forms and devotion to the finest methods in joinery made "Danish Modern" a popular byword for stylish, well-made furniture in the mid-20th century.
Wegner considered himself a carpenter first and a furniture designer second. Like his peers Arne Jacobsen and Finn Juhl, Wegner believed that striking aesthetics in furniture were based on a foundation of practicality: a chair must be comfortable and sturdy before it is chic.
In keeping with that tenet, several of Hans Wegner’s best chair designs have their roots in traditional seating forms. The Peacock chair (designed in 1947) is a throne-like adaptation of the Windsor chair; pieces from the China chair series (begun in 1944) as well as the 1949 Wishbone chair, with its distinctive Y-shaped back splat, are derived from 17th-century Ming seating pieces, as is the upholstered Ox chair (1960). Wegner’s comfy Papa Bear chair (1951) is an almost surreally re-scaled English wingback chair.
Wegner’s most representative piece, the Round chair (1949), gained a footnote in political history when it was used on the TV stage of the first Kennedy-Nixon debate of 1960. That chair, along with Wegner’s more bravura designs — for example, the 1963 Shell chair, with its curved surfboard-shaped seat — bring a quietly sculptural presence to a room.
Wegner was a designer who revered his primary material — wood — and it shows. His wood gathers patina and character with age; every Hans Wegner piece testifies to the life it has led.
Find vintage Hans Wegner lounge chairs, armchairs, daybeds and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Wall shelf by Hans J. Wegner for Ry Møbler, Denmark, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Wall-mounted shelf designed by Hans J. Wegner and produced by Ry Møbler. A small and comparatively uncommon model, executed in solid wood with shaped side panels and a horizontal b...
Oak
Wall Mount Teak Cabinet by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, 1952
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak wall mount credenza / cabinet with two sliding doors and four drawers. Designed by Hans Wegner, made by Johannes Hansen, Denmark, 1952.
Steel
Hans Wegner Furniture poster by PP Mobler 2006 vintage Danish Design
By Hans J. Wegner, PP Møbler
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Here is a very rare and desirable vintage exhibition poster displaying a very stylish representation of the furniturer by the Danish designer Hans J. Wegner. Some Presented models: ...
Paper
Hans J. Wegner Pair of Large Wall Shelves in Oak Ry Mobler, Denmark, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler
Located in Odense, DK
Pair of Hans J. Wegner oak wall shelves made at Ry Mobler in Denmark in the 1950s. Rare large and early models.
Oak
Hans Wegner Danish Teak Single Column Wall Unit / Room Divider with Display Case
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Kensington, MD
Hans Wegner Danish Teak Single Column Wall Unit / Room Divider with Display Case Use alone or add to your wall system with this single column unit in t...
Teak
Hans J. Wegner Large Wall Shelf in Pinewood Made at Ry Mobler Denmark, 1954
By Ry Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
Rare Hans J. Wegner wall shelf made at Ry Mobler in Denmark in the 1954. Rare and early edition in pinewood. Stamped on the back with manufacturers logo and dated "September 1, 1954"...
Pine
1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. We currently have many different Cado pieces in stock and can customize your order to include the type and number of pieces you need. We have both the Royal System and the Cado systems...
Teak
A Pair of Carved Gilt Wood Wall Shelves
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of giltwood wheat motif wall shelves, Italy, mid 20th Century, the good size measuring 15 inches high, 12.5 inches wide, and 6 iches deep.
Giltwood
Kai Kristiansen Shelf System FM Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen shelf system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. The wall unit consists of: - 8 shelves - 2 cabinets - 3 wall brackets detailed meas...
Teak
$1,264Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 30 in D 16 in
Poul Cadovius Cado Teak Wall Shelf Units, 'Three Pieces'
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Poul Cado wall units. One is a three drawer cabinet measures - 30"W x 16"D x 18"H One drop down bar cabinet measures - 30"W x 14.5"Dx16H ...
Teak
$1,518Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 3.15 in Dm 21.66 in
Tableau Wall Decoration Shelf Designed by Sara Ferrari for Mingardo
By Mingardo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tableau is a functional painting, a wall decoration designed to frame everyday objects. Materials: Iron with brassed details Dimensions: Ø 55 cm.
Brass, Iron
$1,878
H 10.24 in W 78.75 in D 7.88 in
Large Floating Teak Wall Mounted Shelf by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, 1960s
By Walter Wirtz, Wilhelm Renz
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful floating wall unit designed by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, Germany, 1960s. Very good condition, signed with Wilhelm Renz logo. This U-shaped shelf is made of high-qualit...
Teak
18th Century Folk Art Wall Shelf, Island of Amager, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
18th century Folk Art wall shelf, Island of Amager, Denmark Shelf is decorated with carved figures.
Wood
Large Vintage Galvanized Wall Shelf
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Vintage Galvanized Wall Shelf. Shelf can be powder-coated in any color per buyer request.
Iron
Danish Modern Teak and Cane Wall Mounted Mirror or Hallway Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish, yet functional Danish hallway cabinet or wall mounted mirror in teak. The single, cane-fronted door slides to reveal storage divided by an adj...
Cane, Mirror, Teak
$4,950
H 58 in W 126.5 in D 28.5 in
Five Bay Teak Wall Mounted Shelving (w/ Corner) Unit By Torbjorn Afdal C. 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado, Bruksbo, Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Peabody, MA
Midcentury "Cado " style wall-mounted shelving unit in teak, circa 1960s, from the "Veggen de Luxe" line, designed by Torbjorn Afdal and Rolf Hesland, made in Norway by Ringerike Mobel in collaboration with Bruskbo. Five bay unit consists of a corner section with work desk, a cabinet with four drawers and interior LP record storage...
Teak
Large Vintage Carved Walnut French Wall Shelf
Located in Germantown, MD
Large 47 inches Vintage, hand carved walnut French wall shelf. Numbered item made in France exclusively for Bloomingdale in the 1960s. Very good ...
Walnut
Wall-Mounted Wooden Showcase Cabinet with Glass Doors
Located in High Point, NC
A sculptural wall-mounted showcase cabinet defined by its stepped architectural cresting, softened edges, and deep charcoal-washed patina. Designed to hang on the wall, the piece bri...
Brass
Sold
H 13.78 in W 39.38 in D 10.63 in
Hans J. Wegner Large Wall Shelf in Patinated Oak Made at Ry Mobler Denmark 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler
Located in Odense, DK
Rare wall shelf made at Ry Mobler in Denmark in the 1950s. The shelf was designed by Hans J. Wegner and is made from solid Danish oak.
Oak
Sold
H 9.06 in W 39.38 in D 7.09 in
Set of 1950s Danish Wall Shelves in Oak by Hans J. Wegner for Ry Møbler
By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Set of three wall shelves designed by Hans J. Wegner. Produced by Ry Møbler in Denmark during the 1950s. Made out of solid oak.
Oak
Hans Wegner Teak Shelf
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wall-mounted shelf designed by Hans J. Wegner. It can be mounted with the shelf facing up or down. Beautiful joinery details. Crafted in warm teak, Denmark, 1950s. Measures: 39.5"...