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Round Chair
Iconic Designs

Round ChairBy Hans J. Wegner

About the Design

In September of 1960, when Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy sat down for the first nationally televised presidential debate, the two candidates rested on one of the most celebrated designs of the 20th century. Often called simply “The Chair,” the Round chair is one of hundreds designed by Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007). As he once said, “The good chair is a task one is never completely done with.”

Nicknamed the “Master of the Chair,” influential Danish designer Wegner inventively used natural materials in his work and, in particular, experimented with different types of wood instead of the industrial materials favored by 20th-century European modernism.

In his highly functional pieces with their timeless silhouettes, Wegner celebrated the textures of oak, walnut, birch and others while concealing joints inside the various pieces for a seamless frame. Sometimes described as “Organic Functionality,” his approach exemplified the aesthetics of Scandinavian modern design in its reduction of an object to its essential elements while using that sparsity to elevate its materials.

The son of a cobbler, Wegner later apprenticed to a master cabinetmaker and studied at the Technical University of Denmark and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (then the Copenhagen School of Arts and Crafts). He opened his furniture design firm in 1943 and throughout his career centered his practice on craftsmanship and constantly reimagined the shape of the utilitarian chair.

He debuted the Round chair in 1949, first showing it at the Annual Exhibition of the Cabinetmakers’ Guild in Copenhagen. Wegner called it simply “the round one.” A semicircle of wood is balanced on its tapered legs, with either a handwoven cane or leather seat stretched between them. Its open back offers comfort for movement, an alternative to traditional straight-back chairs; its finely turned arms provide support without intruding on the sitter’s space. Incorporating 11 pieces of wood and zigzag joints to offer the appearance of a continuous semicircle of wood from the arms to the back, the Round chair’s form is minimal but showcases expert carpentry. In 1950, Interiors magazine declared it “the most beautiful chair in the world.”

Wegner took incredible care with his designs, believing that a good piece of furniture should last a lifetime. Originally manufactured by Danish furniture maker Johannes Hansen, the Round chair is now produced by Danish joinery workshop PP Møbler, which has sought to guard Wegner’s design through meticulous craftsmanship so it can continue to be enjoyed for generations.

Hans Wegner Round Chair

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Vintage Hans Wegner "The" Chair Johannes Hansen Teak Danish Patina
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic "The" chair designed by Hans Wegner and executed by Johannes Hansen, Denmark, circa 1950s. Beautiful patina, reupholstered in cognac (orange/yellow/brown tone) leather. Thi...
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Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

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Hans Wegner Round Chair of Oak and Patinated Cognac Leather
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Located in London, GB
This chair is a excellent vintage example of Wegner's round chair made of oak. The label places it as made before 1970. The leather on the seat shows some peeling, wear and tear ...
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Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

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Hans J. Wegner, Armchair in Teak & Leather, "The Chair" model JH501, 1950s
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
An iconic armchair in teak and leather, Model JH501, famously known as "The Chair," designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949. This particular version, crafted in the 1950s by Johannes Hans...
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Pair of Chair Model JH501 by Hans J Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of chair Model JH501 by Hans J Wegner, designed in 1949 and manufactured by Johannes Hansen in Denmark. This pair has wear and tear to the frame and rattan (please see ...
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Hans Wegner Vintage JH-501 Chair in Oak and Cane c1950s
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Located in London, England
Hans J. Wegner - Model JH-501: "The Chair", 1949 This early version of Hans Wegner's most iconic design was simply known as the 'The Chair' when it was first produced or fondly as '...
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Pair Hans J. Wegner "the Chair" Model JH503 in Oak for Johannes Hansen. Signed
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful pair of "The Chairs" or "Round Chairs" designed by Hans Wagner and made by Johannes Hansen for distribution but Knoll International. These have been expertly refinished an...
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Set of four vintage First Chair PP201 by Hans J Wegner for Pp Furniture, Denmark
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The pp203 First Chair by PP Møbler, designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1969, is a masterpiece that elegantly merges the aesthetics of the pp701 Minimal Chair with the robust construction ...
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Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen "The Chair" Teak and Leather Round Chair, 1960s
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Designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949 this is one of the most iconic pieces of Danish modern furniture design. Pair of rare and early model "JH-501" made by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen...
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The Chair by Hans Wegner Model JH501 for Johannes Hansen
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Classic Hans Wegner Round Chair
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in New York, NY
Sleek, sophisticated and architectural, wraparound armchair in solid rosewood, designed by Hans Wegner made by Johannes Hansen The chair has a solid rosewood frame, drop in upholstered seat, and wrapped cane backrest. The frame looks like it has a later, but not new, clear lacquered overcoat, the fabric seat shows cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. Measures: Total H 29.5 x arm H 27.5 x seat H 17 inches. Know as the Round Chair...
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Hans Wegner, "The Chair", model JH503, Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Hans J. Wegner "The Chair" also known as the "Round Chair", model JH503 in teak seat upholstered with green leather beautiful patina to the wood, with particularly nice joints on th...
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Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

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Hans J. Wegner 'The Chair/Round Chair' Dining Chairs in Teak and Cane
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen Møbelsnedkeri, PP Møbler, 'The Chair/Round Chair' dining chairs, teak, Denmark, 1949 An important pair of Hans J. Wegner dining chairs made in 194...
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Hans Wegner Original Danish JH-501 Chairs by Johannes Hansen for Knoll, Set of 4
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Located in Studio City, CA
Iconic in design and aesthetic. Designed in 1949 by famed Danish designer Hans Wegner and known universally as "The Chair", the JH501 chair is perhaps the mo...
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Hans J Wegner The Chair Model JH501 in Teak with Original Cane Seat
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Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful example of Hans Wegner's timeless The Chair or Round Chair built by cabinetmaker, Johannes Hansen, in solid teak with its original cane seat. The caning is 95% intact and...
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Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

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Hans Wegner Armchair Model JH-501 by Johannes Hansen in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare armchair model JH-501 / the chair designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by Johannes Hansen in Denmark.
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Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

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Hans Wegner Oak and Cane Round Chair
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Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model JH501 oak dining chair with cane seat, designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Denmark. This iconic Danish modern design is best known as "The ...
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Hans J. Wegner 'The Chair' in Teak for Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans J. Wegner model JH503 in teak. Seat upholstered with black leather. Executed by Johannes Hansen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Side table Model AT35 design by Hans J. Wegner 1945 Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Oirlo, LI
Side table Model AT35 design by Hans J. Wegner,1945 Denmark Side table model AT35 designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1945 for Andreas Tuck. This is a very early model and belongs to th...
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Hans J Wegner Round Chair
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three available, inquire within. Known simply as "The Chair," this iconic armchair was designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949. Patinaed Danish oak frame has been gently restored, and the...
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1956 Hans J. Wegner-Cabinet Mod. AT 34 wood manufactured by Andreas Tuck
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Milano, Lombardia
“Many foreigners have asked me how we made the Danish style. And I’ve answered that it was rather a continuous process of purification.” Promoter of a synergy between modernity, cra...
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The Round Chair by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An oak "round" chair retaining the original upholstery with impressed stamp, "Johannes Hansen COPENHAGEN DENMARK".  
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5 Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen JH-503 Chairs in Teak and Leather
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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Located in Vancouver, BC
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CH35 armchair by Hans Wegner, design 1959
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Located in PARIS, FR
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Vintage Hans Wegner Chair for Johannes Hansen, Made in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Doraville, GA
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JH 501 emblematic armchair by Hans Wegner, 1949
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in PARIS, FR
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Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

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Teak

'The Chair' a Teak Round Chair with a Caned Seat by Hans J. Wegner
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
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The Round Chair in Solid Ash with Cane Seats by Hans J. Wegner for PP Møbler, 19
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of 6 custom height PP501 round chairs with sculpted back and arms in ash with a caned seat.
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2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

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FULLY RESTORED & STAMPED 1960's HANS J WEGNER CH 35 BROWN LEATHER ARMCHAIR
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare, highly collectable, fully restored, circa 1950-1960 Hans J Wegner, Carl Hansen & Son Denmark stamped CH 35...
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Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

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Hans Wegner White Round Chairs
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Located in Epperstone, Nottinghamshire
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JH 501 - 'The Chair' in oak by Hans J. Wegner
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Located in Copenhagen, DK
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