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.
H 28.75 in W 54.34 in D 29.93 in
Hans Wegner Danish Oak AT-305 Desk, 1953
By Hans J. Wegner, Andreas Tuck Møbelfabrik
Located in London, England
Hans Wegner - Model 305 Desk, 1953 Oak desk from Danish icon Hans Wegner produced by master-cabinetmaker Andreas Tuck for his own company c1950s. The 305 is considered Wegner's fine...
Oak
H 28.55 in W 29.93 in D 91.34 in
Early Hans J. Wegner teak desk model AT-305, 1955
By Hans J. Wegner, Andreas Tuck
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Early Hans J. Wegner teak desk with three integrated drawers and two drop leaves. Designed 1955 and manufactured by cabinetmaker Anders Tuck, Denmark. Marked by maker. Dimension:...
Teak
H 28.75 in W 29.73 in D 29.73 in
Desk “AT 305” Designed by Hans J. Wegner for Andreas Tuck, Denmark, 1955
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk “AT 305” designed by Hans J. Wegner for Andreas Tuck, Denmark. 1955. Oak. Stamped by cabinetmaker Andreas Tuck. Dimensions: H: 73 cm / 2' 5" W: 75,5 cm / 2' 7" L: 139 cm / 4...
Oak
H 28.75 in W 55.12 in D 29.93 in
Hans J. Wegner Drop Leaf Desk or Table Model "AT-305" for Andreas Tuck, 1955
By Hans J. Wegner, Andreas Tuck
Located in Odense, DK
This magnificent drop-leaf table by Danish designer Hans J. Wegner can be used both as a work desk and as a dining table. The design is from 1955 and this particular table is from th...
Oak, Teak
H 29 in W 55 in D 30 in
Hans J. Wegner Drop Leaf Desk or Table Model "AT-305" for Andreas Tuck, 1955
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Danish Modernist drop-leaf table/desk by Danish designer Hans J. Wegner can be used both as a work desk and as a dining table. The design is from 1955 and this particular tab...
Oak, Teak
H 28.55 in W 53.15 in D 29.53 in
Desk With Flaps Model AT-305 In Teak & Oak By Hans J. Wegner For Andreas Tuck
By Andreas Tuck Møbelfabrik, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Lejre, DK
Desk with flaps, model AT-305, designed by Hans J. Wegner and produced by Andreas Tuck in the 1950s. The table is made of teak with oak legs and can be extended from 135 cm to a full...
Oak, Teak
H 28.34 in W 55.25 in D 30 in
Hans Wegner Drop Leaf Desk AT-305 for Andreas Tuck, 1955
Located in Savannah, GA
A Hans Wegner drop leaf desk or table, model AT-305 for Andreas Tuck, 1955. The top with custom finish for an artist in a thick white water-resistant poly coating (perfect for kitch...
Wood
H 28 in W 81 in D 35.25 in
Hans Wegner Desk Model AT325 for Andreas Tuck
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans Wegner desk model AT325 for Andreas Tuck, Denmark. Large and impressive desk made with high quality construction and attention to detail, newly refinished ...
Steel
H 24 in W 46 in D 22.5 in
Hans J. Wegner Sewing Table, Model AT-33, 1960s
By Andreas Tuck, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully crafted model AT-33 sewing table designed by Hans Wegner and manufactured in Denmark by cabinet maker Andreas Tuck. This teak and oak table features two extendable side l...
Teak, Wicker, Oak
H 27.96 in W 86.62 in D 43.31 in
Large Freestanding Desk by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
JH 810 - Freestanding desk with wengé top. Front with two drawers, frame and handle in matt chromed steel. Designed in 1970. Hans J. Wegner / Johannes Hansen.
Steel
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.
