Knud E. Hansen for Søren Willadsens Møbelfabrik, set of eight dining chairs, leather, elm, Denmark, 1952
A refined set of dining chairs, designed by Danish designer Knud E. Hansen and brought to life by the skilled hands at Søren Willadsens Møbelfabrik in Vejen, Denmark. These chairs exemplify timeless Danish design, but it is their history that truly sets them apart. Originally commissioned for the Danish ferry M/F Broen, built in 1952, they once served passengers on the important route between Seeland and Fyn – the main artery connecting Copenhagen with the rest of Denmark. Archival images even show this very chair in the royal private lounge, used during the reign of King Frederik IX.
Søren Willadsen wasn’t just a craftsman – he had a rare talent for being exactly where Danish design was happening. With an exceptional eye for quality, he collaborated with some of the great names in mid-century furniture, including Finn Juhl, Jørgen and Nanna Ditzel and Illum Wikkelsø. While these designers are widely recognized, the fact that many of their iconic pieces were made in Willadsen’s workshop in Vejen is a lesser-known part of the story.
The chairs exhibit a design that reflects the refinement of 18th-century English-style dining chairs...
Category
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Elm Seating