1970s, Danish design by H.J. Wegner, model GE300, reupholstered sofa.
About the Item
- Creator:Hans J. Wegner (Designer),GETAMA (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 81.11 in (206 cm)Depth: 34.65 in (88 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1968
- Condition:Reupholstered. Completely renovated-reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Tarm, DK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7763236190482
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.
GETAMA
The story of how GETAMA got its name is perhaps as unique as the range of subdued but sophisticated Scandinavian modern furniture for which the manufacturer is known (thanks to a partnership with Hans Wegner).
In the late 1890s in the Danish town of Gedsted, a young cabinetmaker by the name of Carl Pedersen opted to use seaweed — rather than the traditional heather or straw — as mattress stuffing. Pedersen named his new factory Gedsted Tang-og Madrasfabrik (the “Gedsted Seaweed and Mattress Factory”), which he abbreviated to GETAMA. Seaweed’s fire-retardant properties make it an excellent and safe upholstery material for mattresses, chairs and sofas. Pedersen leveraged this quality as a selling point — the abundance of seaweed on the shores of Denmark and its weightlessness added to its appeal as an economical but durable upholstery filling for all kinds of furnishings. The crowning quality was its softness.
GETAMA’s seaweed mattresses proved so popular for their comfort and durability that Pedersen had to expand into a larger factory within the first year. He felt almost obligated to launch a line of bedroom furniture to accompany his much-loved mattresses.
The working relationship established in 1959 between Hans Wegner and GETAMA afforded the company the opportunity to break into the international market. Wegner — a legendary Danish carpenter and furniture designer revered by mid-century modern collectors everywhere — became one of the brand’s principal designers and often spent a great deal of time at the factory — refining and adjusting each new piece until he felt satisfied that it was ready for production. For decades, Wegner’s impressive contributions to GETAMA’s daybeds, lounge chairs, sofas and dining room tables became the backbone of the company’s sales.
Over the years, other designers entered into working agreements with GETAMA, including Nissen & Gehl, OM Design, 2R Design, Blum and Balle, and Jørgen Gammelgaard. Copenhagen native Nanna Ditzel, a Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts alum who trained under Kaare Klint, designed GETAMA’s Mondial coffee table. Alongside her husband, Jørgen Ditzel, she also created the sensuously curvy and wildly popular Ring chair.
Today, the sleek modern furniture that GETAMA manufactures is still inclusive of their lauded mattresses.
On 1stDibs, find vintage GETAMA seating, tables, storage cabinets and other furniture.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Tarm, Denmark
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 1970s, Danish design by H.J. Wegner, reupholstered armchair, model GE300.By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMALocated in Tarm, 821960s-70s, Danish design by H.J. Wegner. Completely reupholstered armchair, model GE300. Quality furniture wool fabric Glasgow in charcoal grey. Oak legs, brand new upholstery and cu...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWool, Oak
- 1970s, Danish Design by Børge Mogensen, Sofa Model 2252, Oak, Furniture WoolBy Børge MogensenLocated in Tarm, 8270s, Danish design by Børge Mogensen, completely renovated 2-person sofa, model 2252. Brand new cushions and elastic bottom in the sofa. Quality gray furniture...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
- 1960s, Danish design by Georg Thams, reupholstered 3 seater sofa.By Georg Thams, Vejen PolstermøbelfabrikLocated in Tarm, 821960s, Danish design by Georg Thams for Vejen Polstermøbelfabrik. Completely renovated, reupholstered 3-seater sofa model 53. Brand new upholstery according to original design. Quali...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Teak
- 1960s, Danish sofa by Kurt Østervig model 58, completely reupholstered.By Kurt ØstervigLocated in Tarm, 821960s, Danish sofa by Kurt Østervig model 58. Completely renovation: new upholstery, new elastic belts, wooden construction checked, legs and ar...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Teak
- 1970s, Danish design by Arne Vodder for Cado Denmark, 3 seater sofa.By Arne Vodder, CadoLocated in Tarm, 821970s, Danish design by Arne Vodder for Cado Denmark. 3 seater sofa, furniture wool, dark exotic/teak wood. Loose cushions. Original very good condition: no smells and no stains.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Teak
- 1960s, Danish design, reupholstered 2-seater "Banana" sofa, vintage velour.Located in Tarm, 821960s, Danish renovated-reupholstered 2-seater "Banana" sofa. Very durable cherry-red velour. Brass springs in the seat and back is retained. Hand stitched back/sides. Oak legs renew...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Oak
- Vintage 1960s Danish Three-Seat Sofa Model GE-300/3 by Hans Wegner for GETAMABy Hans J. Wegner, GETAMALocated in BROOKLYN, NYVintage 1960s Danish three-seat sofa Rare model GE300/3 designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA Manufacturer solid light oak solid wood frame and legs with original ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
- Hans J. Wegner Sofa Model GE-236/3, 1950By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMALocated in Los Angeles, CAwonderful 1950s Danish three-seat sofa, model GE236/3 designed by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA, solid oak frame with nice patina and original spring loaded cushions with grey/brown wool...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
- Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA Model GE-290 SofaBy Hans J. Wegner, GETAMALocated in Norwalk, CTTranscend time with this resplendent Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA Model GE-290 Sofa—a beacon of 1960s Danish design and a testament to understated elegance. Craf...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsBeech
- 3 Seater Sofa, Model GE290, in Oak by Hans J. Wegner, 1960sBy GETAMA, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Lejre, DKThis three-seater sofa, model GE290, designed by the renowned Danish architect and designer Hans J. Wegner in 1953, epitomizes the timeless elegance and impeccable craftsmanship char...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
- Mid Century Modern Hans J. Wegner Model GE-290 for Getama Gedsted Denmark SofaBy Hans J. Wegner, GETAMALocated in Kramfors, SEVintage Hans J. Wegner sofa model GE-290 for Getama Gedsted, Denmark. The sofa is a mid century classic by one of the most famous names of the time, Hans J. Wegner (Denmark, 1914-200...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Danish Modern GE 290 Oak Sofa by Hans Wegner for GETAMABy Hans J. Wegner, GETAMALocated in VANCOUVER, CAOak GE 290 sofa by Hans Wegner for GETAMA, circa 1950's. Elegant, robust Danish 3 seat solid frame with stunning lines. Seat deck has the original springs, a very comfortable sitting...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
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.