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.
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...
Teak
Hans Wegner JH 503 Walnut Chair by Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Miami, FL
A sculptural walnut armchair designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Denmark, circa 1950s. This iconic design, often referred to as “The Chair” or “The Round Chair”, exemplif...
Leather, Walnut
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 ...
Rattan, Teak
Hans J Wegner The Chair Model JH501 in Teak with Original Cane Seat
By Hans J. Wegner
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...
Cane, Teak
Hans Wegner JH-501 Round Chair in Oak and Woven Cane, Denmark, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
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 ...
Cane, Oak
Hans Wegner for Fritz Hansen Model 708 Danish Teak Dining Chairs - Pair
By Fritz Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Hans Wegner for Fritz Hansen Model 708 Mid Century Danish Teak Dining Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 20.25 wide x 17.5 deep x 29.25 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearan...
Upholstery, Teak
Classic Hans Wegner Round Chair
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
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...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen "The Chair" Teak and Leather Round Chair, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in South Bend, IN
Offering a rare and exceptional JH 501 armchair. Most commonly known as "The Chair", this chair is expertly designed for style and comfort and exquisitely constructed from solid teak...
Leather, Teak
Hans J. Wegner, Armchair in Teak & Leather, "The Chair" model JH501, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
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...
Leather, Teak
Pair Hans J. Wegner "the Chair" Model JH503 in Oak for Johannes Hansen. Signed
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
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...
Upholstery, Oak
Hans Wegner Vintage JH-501 Chair in Oak and Cane c1950s
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
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 '...
Rattan, Oak
Hans J. Wegner Pair of “The Chair” JH503, Oak and Black Leather, Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Kastrup, DK
Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007) The iconic Round Chair, internationally known as The Chair, model JH503. Designed in 1949 and produced in collaboration with master cabinetmaker Johannes ...
Leather, Oak
The Chair by Hans Wegner Model JH501 for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans Wegner round chair model JH501 for Johannes Hansen, Denmark. Iconic chair by the master Hans Wegner and nick named "The Chair" after being featured in the JFK presidential debat...
Cane, Teak
Vintage Hans Wegner Chair for Johannes Hansen, Made in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Doraville, GA
A vintage solid oak armchair designed by Hans Wegner in 1948, model number JH-503 for Johannes Hansen in Copenhagen, Denmark. The chair became immensely popular and was dubbed "The C...
Fabric, Oak
$14,995 / set
Pair Hans Wegner JH501 "The Chair" "Round Chair"
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Hans Wegner JH501 "The Chair" "Round Chair". Pair in original condition. Highly collectible design in teak and cane. Sturdy and no breaks in the...
Cane, Teak
The Round Chair in Solid Ash w/ Cane Seats by Hans J. Wegner for PP Møbler
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.
Cane, Ash
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...
Iron
JH 501 - Set of 6 'The Chair' dining chair in teak by Hans J. Wegner
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
JH 501 - Set of 6 'The Chair' dining chairs in patinated teak with wicker seat and back. Branded by manufacturer Johannes Hansen, designed by Hans J. Wegner.
Wicker, Teak
JH-501 Armchair by Hans J. Wegner, Teak, Mid-Century Modern, Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in PARIS, FR
JH-501 armchair by Hans Wegner, 1949, Wegner's most emblematic armchair in its first version by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen, fire-marked. It is this armchair that made Scandinavian ...
Teak
JH 503 - 'The Chair' in mahogany designed bed Hans J. Wegner
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
JH 503 - 'The Chair' armchair in mahogany with seat in patinated natural leather. Manufacturer's mark by Johannes Hansen. Designed by Hans J. Wegner.
Leather, Mahogany
$3,500 / item
Hans J Wegner Round Chair
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
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...
Oak
$8,531Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of four vintage First Chair PP201 by Hans J Wegner for Pp Furniture, Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner, PP Møbler
Located in The Hague, NL
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 ...
Papercord, Ash
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.
Leather, Teak
Hans Wegner Original Danish JH-501 Chairs by Johannes Hansen for Knoll, Set of 4
By Hans J. Wegner
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...
Cane, Teak
$32,500 / set
Set of 8 Round Chairs by Hans Wegner for PP Mobler
By Hans J. Wegner, PP Møbler
Located in Kensington, MD
Set of 8 Round Chairs by Hans Wegner for PP Mobler. The chairs marked and dated to underside. Additional information: The PP503 Chair, designed by Hans Wegner, is identified as one ...
Wood
PP501 The Chair in Clear Oak with Cane Seat
By Hans J. Wegner, PP Møbler
Located in Vancouver, BC
The back of the pp501 is carved out of a 5 inch piece of solid wood with seat in light cane. The material used in caning chairs is derived from the peeled bark ...
Rattan, Oak
The Round Chair by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An oak "round" chair retaining the original upholstery with impressed stamp, "Johannes Hansen COPENHAGEN DENMARK".
Leather, Oak
Pair of Hans J. Wegner Armchair "JH-501" in Oak & Rattan Cane, Danish Modern
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
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...
Rattan, Oak
The Round Chair by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, 1949
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak 'Round' chair with masterfully sculpted backrest and arms floating atop tapered dowel legs having a caned seat. This sublime chair became known a...
Teak, Cane
JH 501 - Set of 2 'The Chair' in oak by Hans J. Wegner
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
JH 501 - 'The Chair' dining chair in patinated oak with a seat in wicker. Branded by the manufacturer Johannes Hansen. Designed by Hans J. Wegner.
Wicker, Oak
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...
Leather, Teak
