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.
$20,437
H 29.93 in W 51.97 in D 22.84 in
1950s Hans J. Wegner Model 1935 Teak and Beech Shell Settee for Fritz Hansen
Located in Highclere, Newbury
Early 1950s Danish Mid Century Modern Hans J. Wegner Model 1935 Teak and Beech Shell Settee for Fritz Hansen. Originally designed in 1948 for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Inter...
Beech, Teak
Hans Wegner Model CH22 Shell Back Paddle Armchair
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stamford, CT
Oak armchair with wide paddle form arms and sculpted and inlaid back. Also having a Danish paper cord seat. The chair was designed by Hans J. Wegner and manufactured by Carl Hansen &...
Papercord, Oak
$2,095Sale Price|33% Off
H 31.89 in W 74.02 in D 29.14 in
Wonderful Danish Sofa Attributed to Hans Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant oak base. Very light construction.
Oak
Hans Wegner / Arne Poulsen Loveseat, Model AP62
By Hans J. Wegner, Arne Poulsen Cabinetmaker Denmark
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Hans Wegner/Arne Poulsen loveseat, Model AP62! The Hans Wegner/Arne Poulsen Loveseat, Model AP62, is a true masterpiece that embodies the visionary designs of two legendary Danish designers, Hans Wegner and Arne Poulsen. This iconic loveseat showcases the perfect fusion of their distinctive styles, resulting in a piece that exudes elegance, comfort, and timeless appeal. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the AP62 Armchair features a beautifully curved solid wood frame, showcasing the exceptional woodworking skills that both Wegner and Poulsen were renowned for. The organic lines and sculptural elements of the chair create a harmonious balance between aesthetics and functionality. The AP62 Loveseat offers a luxuriously comfortable seating experience. The generously proportioned seat, backrest, and armrests are expertly upholstered in premium-quality materials, ensuring optimal comfort and durability. The cushioning provides a perfect balance between softness and support, allowing you to relax and unwind in style. With its refined and versatile design, the AP62 Armchair seamlessly integrates into various interior settings. Whether placed in a living room, study, or office, this armchair adds a touch of sophistication and sophistication to any space. Its timeless design ensures that it will be a cherished piece for years to come. As with all our vintage Danish furniture...
Fabric, Teak, Down
Sofa by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
AP 20S - sofa in oak and new textile in Vidar 3 (colour 323 and cushion in colour 333). Hans J. Wegner / AP Stolen.
Oak
Hans J. Wegner Sofa Model GE-290/2, 1950
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful Danish two-seat sofa, model GE290/2 designed by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA, 1950, with a solid oak frame and original spring loaded cushions with patterned upholstery (from ...
Oak, Upholstery
Rare Sofa by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare sofa with patinated oak legs, newly upholstered in textile (DAW, color Stripe 7) Hans J. Wegner / Johannes Hansen.
Oak
Hans Wegner GE01 Daybed
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Denmark: Hans Wegner GE01 solid oak daybed in two sections, with an adjustable back and original red wool cushions. Height with back straight up 35.50 H...
Oak, Wool
Hans J. Wegner Sofa Model GE-290/3, 1950
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful Danish three-seat sofa, model GE290/3 designed by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA, 1950, with a clean solid oak frame and original spring loaded cushions with a later date dark r...
Wool, Oak
$14,895
H 31 in W 67 in D 31 in
Expertly Restored - Early Hans J. Wegner JH-555 Sofa for Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early Hans J. Wegner settee for Johannes Hansen carries the kind of quiet authority that only true cabinetmaker-led Danish design can deliver—refined in line, deeply considered ...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
