Hans Wegner 'Papa Bear' Chair
View Similar Items
Hans Wegner 'Papa Bear' Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Hans J. Wegner (Designer),A.P. Stolen (Maker)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 38.19 in (97 cm)Width: 35.04 in (89 cm)Depth: 35.04 in (89 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU93318491423
Papa Bear Chair
The wingback Papa Bear chair, also known as the Teddy Bear chair, has two outstretched arms with wood detailing once described by a critic as “great bear paws embracing you from behind” — hence the name. The piece was designed by Hans Wegner (1914–2007), a pioneer of Danish modernism who crafted nearly 500 chairs over the course of his long career. Not many of them, however, have the anthropomorphic qualities that this one does.
Wegner was raised in the south of Denmark, where he served as an apprentice to a cabinetmaker as a child. Inspired to study architecture and design, he enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, then opened his own studio in 1943, working closely with peers like Arne Jacobsen, Erik Møller and more. Wegner was a leading figure of the Scandinavian modern movement, which championed quality craftsmanship, elegant design and efficient functionality.
The Papa Bear chair was Wegner’s first project with manufacturer A.P. Stolen, which enjoyed numerous collaborations with the designer over time. Originally produced with a solid beechwood frame, Wegner’s chair, with its high backrest, lengthy back legs and comfortable cotton-upholstered cushioning, was designed in 1951 and had its first manufacturing run from 1953 to 1969. Its current production is managed by Danish joinery workshop PP Møbler, and the Papa Bear chair and ottoman are now available in a variety of wood and textile finishes.
Hans J. Wegner
Best known for his chairs and 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 Wegner’s best chair designs, seen in dealer listings below, 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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- Hans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen ‘New Papa Bear’ Easy ChairBy Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in Waalwijk, NLHans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen, ‘New Papa Bear’ lounge chair, model AP69, oak, reupholstered in Ohmann Colorado nubuck leather, Denmark, 1968/69 This D...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Hans J. Wegner Pair of Easy Chairs in Blue Upholstery and OakBy Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in Waalwijk, NLHans J. Wegner for AP Stolen, pair of lounge chairs, model 'AP-16', fabric, oak, Denmark, 1951. Pair of armchairs with oak frame designed by the Danish master Hans J. Wegner. This...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA Lounge Chair in Oak and Dark Blue UpholsteryBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Waalwijk, NLHans J. Wegner for GETAMA, lounge chair model 'GE290', oak, wool, Denmark, design 1959. The GE290 lounge chair is an elegant and well-proportioned piece within a simplistic construc...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsOak, Wool
- Iconic Hans Wegner ‘Flag Halyard’ Lounge Chair Early Edition Model GE225By Hans J. WegnerLocated in Waalwijk, NLHans J. Wegner, ‘Flag Halyard’ lounge chair model ‘GE225’, rope, steel, dark green lacquered steel, leather, wood, sheepskin, Denmark, 1958 This iconic chair, made with 250 metres o...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Hans Olson for Jørgen Jørgensen Lounge Chair in Oak and Khaki UpholsteryBy Hans OlsenLocated in Waalwijk, NLHans Olsen for Jørgen Jørgensen, armchair, oak, fabric, Denmark, 1956 Elegant Danish lounge chair with oak by Hans Olsen. The chair has ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Hans Könecke for Tecta Lounge Chair in Brown SuedeBy Hans KöneckeLocated in Waalwijk, NLHans Könecke for Tecta, armchair, suede and metal, Germany, 1960s This lounge chair is another great example of German Modernist furniture, designed by architect Hans Könecke in the...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Papa Bear Chair by Hans WegnerBy Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in Oklahoma City, OKThe Papa Bear Chair, a classic design by Hans Wagner, showcases timeless elegance with its iconic mid-century modern silhouette. This particular piece has been meticulously reupholst...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Wood
- Hans J. Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear ChairsBy A.P. Stolen, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Brooklyn, NYHandsome pair of early 1960s AP-19 chairs designed by Hans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen. These chairs are better known as the Papa Bear chair for their stately silhouette. Exquisitely crafted teak details notable in the paws, showcasing Wegner's intimate understanding of fine woodworking. Expertly upholstered in a downy gray wool fabric, these cozy chairs...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
$58,000 / set - Hans Wegner Rosewood Papa Bear Chair in Boucle FabricBy Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in London, GBHans 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 ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wool, Rosewood
- Hans J. Wegner AP19 Papa Bear Chair and OttomanBy A.P. Stolen, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Brooklyn, NYOriginal 1960s AP-19 Lounge Chair, better known as the Papa Bear Chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen. A magnificent example of the ic...Category
20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Teak
- Papa Bear Chair and Ottoman by Hans WegnerBy Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in Oklahoma City, OKThe "Papa Bear" chair and ottoman, masterfully crafted by Hans Wagner, embody mid-century modern charm and ergonomic excellence. This iconic duo has undergone a professional transfor...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Wood
- Hans Wegner Ap19 Papa Bear Chair + OttomanBy A.P. Stolen, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Berkeley, CADesigned in 1951 by Hans Wegner for AP Stolen, the Papa Bear chair has become an icon of danish design. It is presented here in untouched condition alongside the matching ottoman (A...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWool, Teak
$27,000 / set
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Iconic Furniture Makes This 1958 Midwestern Home a True Mid-Century Gem
Designer Susan Yeley turned to 1stDibs to outfit an Indiana home with standout pieces that complement its modernist style.
Iconic Furniture Gives These 1stDibs 50 Rooms Timeless Appeal
A well-made armchair, table or pendant lamp can afford both comfort and convenience. An exceptional one can transform a space. See how the honorees on this year’s 1stDibs 50 list of top interior designers used standout pieces to create the kind of rooms you never want to leave.