Decorating
A Guide to 10 Ever-Popular Hans Wegner Chairs
Danish designer Hans Wegner fused ergonomics and craftsmanship to create chairs that have lasted for generations
With a career spanning five decades, Hans Wegner (1914–2007) was one of Denmark’s most prolific and productive designers. He notched up designs for more than 1000 pieces of furniture – at least half of them chairs – and while not all were realised, they provide evidence of Wegner’s lifelong dedication to create furniture that is “perfect to the fullest extent of what is possible”.
Like many mid-century Scandinavian designers and craftsmen, Wegner placed a premium on comfort and ergonomics. Indeed, a chair was not merely a piece of furniture; it was a work of sculpture designed to support the human form. With this emphasis on both form and function, Wegner’s chairs continue to last generations – physically and stylistically. Here is a guide to 10 Wegner chairs.
Like many mid-century Scandinavian designers and craftsmen, Wegner placed a premium on comfort and ergonomics. Indeed, a chair was not merely a piece of furniture; it was a work of sculpture designed to support the human form. With this emphasis on both form and function, Wegner’s chairs continue to last generations – physically and stylistically. Here is a guide to 10 Wegner chairs.
The original had a solid wood frame and veneer seat and back and, like much of Wegner’s work, its light and graceful form belies its robust construction. The contemporary CH33 has fabric or leather upholstery and mix-and- match wood frames. Functionally, it could work as either a dining chair or a sculptural addition to any room.
Is mid-century modern here to stay?
Is mid-century modern here to stay?
2. CH24 Wishbone chair
Wegner’s famous Wishbone chair was inspired by portraits of Danish merchants seated in ceremonial chairs from the Ming Dynasty. Scandinavian designers adopted structural elements of traditional Chinese chairs, such as the continuous back rail, yoke back, and stepped stretchers, as well as the uncomplicated and elegant silhouette.
Wegner’s famous Wishbone chair was inspired by portraits of Danish merchants seated in ceremonial chairs from the Ming Dynasty. Scandinavian designers adopted structural elements of traditional Chinese chairs, such as the continuous back rail, yoke back, and stepped stretchers, as well as the uncomplicated and elegant silhouette.
The Wishbone, with its characteristic Y-back, was one of Wegner’s first models and it has been in continuous production since 1950. The chair takes more than 100 steps to make, and the hand-woven seat consists of more than 120 metres of paper cord.
Photo by Suzi Appel Photography
Photo by Suzi Appel Photography
3. CH20 Elbow chair
Although Wegner designed the CH20 Elbow in 1956, it was not introduced by Carl Hansen & Son until 2005, nearly 50 years later. The compact and stackable chair is ideal as a dining chair or even a desk chair with a seat made from 11 layers of material.
Although Wegner designed the CH20 Elbow in 1956, it was not introduced by Carl Hansen & Son until 2005, nearly 50 years later. The compact and stackable chair is ideal as a dining chair or even a desk chair with a seat made from 11 layers of material.
4. CH29 Sawbuck chair
The CH29 is also known as the Sawbuck chair and appropriately so, given its legs are similar to a traditional sawbuck or saw horse used by carpenters. This design gives the chairs a very sturdy construction combined with an interesting aesthetic. Designed in 1952, Carl Hansen & Son took the chair out of production in the 1970s until Wegner’s daughter Marianne suggested it be reintroduced in the 1990s.
The CH29 is also known as the Sawbuck chair and appropriately so, given its legs are similar to a traditional sawbuck or saw horse used by carpenters. This design gives the chairs a very sturdy construction combined with an interesting aesthetic. Designed in 1952, Carl Hansen & Son took the chair out of production in the 1970s until Wegner’s daughter Marianne suggested it be reintroduced in the 1990s.
5. CH25
Wegner started collaborating with Carl Hansen & Son in 1949 and the CH25 lounge chair is one of the first four chairs that came from this alliance. It was somewhat of a revolution in 1950, with its bold and sculptural shape, and seat and back made with paper cord – a very strong three-ply paper product that was even used to make tyres. The seat and back take a skilled craftsman 10 hours to hand weave, with a unique pattern that uses about 400 metres of paper cord.
Wegner started collaborating with Carl Hansen & Son in 1949 and the CH25 lounge chair is one of the first four chairs that came from this alliance. It was somewhat of a revolution in 1950, with its bold and sculptural shape, and seat and back made with paper cord – a very strong three-ply paper product that was even used to make tyres. The seat and back take a skilled craftsman 10 hours to hand weave, with a unique pattern that uses about 400 metres of paper cord.
6. CH07 Shell chair
A Danish icon of design, the wing-like and three-legged CH07 Shell chair is a sculptural easy chair that deserves to be viewed from all sides. While the general public perceived it as being too avant-garde when it was introduced in 1963, its reintroduction in 1993 received broad appeal and design accolades.
5 must-know lights that deserve their place in the spotlight
A Danish icon of design, the wing-like and three-legged CH07 Shell chair is a sculptural easy chair that deserves to be viewed from all sides. While the general public perceived it as being too avant-garde when it was introduced in 1963, its reintroduction in 1993 received broad appeal and design accolades.
5 must-know lights that deserve their place in the spotlight
7. PP19 Papa Bear chair
A critic gave Wegner’s PP19 chair its distinctively playful name, describing the armrests as “great bear paws embracing you from behind”. Wegner designed the lounge chair in 1951 and PP Møbler began its production in 1953. The chair takes two weeks to make and is said to become even softer and more comfortable with wear and age.
A critic gave Wegner’s PP19 chair its distinctively playful name, describing the armrests as “great bear paws embracing you from behind”. Wegner designed the lounge chair in 1951 and PP Møbler began its production in 1953. The chair takes two weeks to make and is said to become even softer and more comfortable with wear and age.
8. CH445 Wing chair
Designed in 1960, Wegner’s CH445 Wing chair (on the right) takes a modernist turn with slimline stainless-steel legs. Relaunched in 2006, the Wing chair (with matching CH446 footrest) is exceptionally comfortable, with the backrest and seat designed to enable a variety of positions and always supporting the back, shoulders, neck and head.
Designed in 1960, Wegner’s CH445 Wing chair (on the right) takes a modernist turn with slimline stainless-steel legs. Relaunched in 2006, the Wing chair (with matching CH446 footrest) is exceptionally comfortable, with the backrest and seat designed to enable a variety of positions and always supporting the back, shoulders, neck and head.
9. CH468 Oculus chair
Wegner’s CH468 Oculus chair (on the right) also has a modernist leaning, but the form is much more rounded than that of the Wing chair. ‘Oculus’ is Latin for eye and it refers to the chair’s curving back that forms an eye in the upholstery. Designed in 1960, but not produced until 2010, the Oculus chair, like all of Wegner’s work, embodies simplicity and grace.
Wegner’s CH468 Oculus chair (on the right) also has a modernist leaning, but the form is much more rounded than that of the Wing chair. ‘Oculus’ is Latin for eye and it refers to the chair’s curving back that forms an eye in the upholstery. Designed in 1960, but not produced until 2010, the Oculus chair, like all of Wegner’s work, embodies simplicity and grace.
10. CH56
Wegner designed the CH56 (and CH58) stool in 1985 and it still has all the characteristics for which Wegner’s work is famed: elegant lines, a simple form, robust construction and, of course, supreme comfort and support for sitters. Indeed, Wegner never sacrificed comfort for style; rather, he fused both in striking combinations of design and workmanship.
Browse more kitchen ideas
Wegner designed the CH56 (and CH58) stool in 1985 and it still has all the characteristics for which Wegner’s work is famed: elegant lines, a simple form, robust construction and, of course, supreme comfort and support for sitters. Indeed, Wegner never sacrificed comfort for style; rather, he fused both in striking combinations of design and workmanship.
Browse more kitchen ideas
Where To Buy
Hans Wegner chairs can be purchased new or secondhand. Whether it is genuine or a copy will greatly affect the price.
Secondhand or vintage
Hans Wegner chairs can be purchased new or secondhand. Whether it is genuine or a copy will greatly affect the price.
Secondhand or vintage
- For secondhand or vintage Hans Wegner chairs, contact a Scandinavian furniture importer or vintage store. They may have them in stock or can source them for you. They should only be sourcing genuine Hans Wegner chairs produced by Carl Hansen, and the price you pay will reflect this.
- Keep an eye on auction houses, auction websites, and secondhand furniture sellers, and be sure you are buying genuine chairs, not replicas.
New
- You can purchase brand-spanking new (and genuine) Hans Wegner chairs from Carl Hansen or a Carl Hansen reseller.
A note on replicas
Australia’s intellectual property laws presently allow companies to manufacture and sell copies of original designs without license. These will be labelled ‘replica’ and are typically lower in cost and quality than the genuine article. Replicas enable a greater number of people to access the aesthetics of good design, however, copying designers’ and manufacturers’ work diminishes the capabilities and innovation of the design community as a whole.
Australia’s intellectual property laws presently allow companies to manufacture and sell copies of original designs without license. These will be labelled ‘replica’ and are typically lower in cost and quality than the genuine article. Replicas enable a greater number of people to access the aesthetics of good design, however, copying designers’ and manufacturers’ work diminishes the capabilities and innovation of the design community as a whole.
TELL US
Do you have a favourite Hans Wegner chair? Post a picture or tell us about it in the Comments section below.
MORE
Browse more mid-century-style interiors
Do you have a favourite Hans Wegner chair? Post a picture or tell us about it in the Comments section below.
MORE
Browse more mid-century-style interiors
An original CH33 dining chair is a rare find. Designed in 1957, Carl Hansen & Son produced it for only 10 years. The company reintroduced it again in 2012 to mark the 100th anniversary of Wegner’s birth.