Hans J. Wegner Furniture

Danish, 1914-2007

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.

Hans J. Wegner furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Hans J. Wegner furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Hans J. Wegner furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 1,167 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 368 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Hans J. Wegner were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen, and Børge Mogensen. Prices for Hans J. Wegner furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $170 and can go as high as $110,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,031.

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Questions About Hans J. Wegner Furniture

How do I identify Hans Wegner furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To identify Hans Wegner furniture, familiarize yourself with the Danish designer's pieces by conducting some online research. He is particularly well known for his chairs, including the Peacock chair, a throne-like adaptation of the Windsor chair, and the Wishbone chair, which has a distinctive Y-shaped back splat.

Wegner’s comfy Papa Bear chair (1951) is an almost surreally rescaled English wingback chair, while his 1963 Shell chair has a curved surfboard-shaped seat.

Wegner's primary material was wood, so pieces crafted out of composites, plastics or metals are less likely to be by Wegner. Some of his pieces do bear his signature, but not all do. As a result, experts generally recommend having a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer assist with the identification process.

On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Hans Wegner furniture.
Is Hans Wegner real?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Hans Wegner is indeed a real person. He was a prolific furniture designer affectionately referred to as “the master of the chair”. Throughout his lifetime, he created 500 chairs, all considered masterpieces. Shop a collection of Hans Wegner’s furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
How can you tell if a Wishbone chair is real?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
To tell if a Wishbone chair is real, closely examine its construction. A genuine chair will usually have a one-piece back and armrest unit with no visible seams, and the legs should be smooth with an equal, regularly shaped taper. In addition, the seat will typically have a very tight paper weave. Genuine Wishbone chairs often have a label with the Carl Hansen logo and Hans Wegner's signature hidden under their seats. However, these labels can come loose and may be missing, even on real Wishbone chairs. If you're unsure about the authenticity of your piece, consult a certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer. Find a variety of Wishbone chairs on 1stDibs.
What is the history of the Wegner Shell chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
The history of the Wegner Shell Chair begins in 1963. Hans J. Wegner unveiled the chair at the Furniture Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark. Often described as being "wing-like," the chair's radical fluid lines were considered a bit too futuristic at the time. Initially, mixed reviews from critics and the general public, as well as production difficulties, resulted in a very limited early run. Twelve new models were produced for a retrospective exhibition celebrating Wegner's 77th birthday in 1989, and the design began garnering renewed attention (a photograph of the chair was even selected to grace the cover of the exhibition catalog). In 1998, nearly a decade following the piece's reemergence at the retrospective event, Carl Hansen Søn reintroduced the Shell chair 35 years after it was first released, and it has felt relevant ever since. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Hans Wegner Shell chairs.
How do I pronounce Hans Wegner?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To pronounce Hans Wegner, say "Hans VEG-ner." His last name is Danish. Native speakers of the language may say the surname like "VAY-ner," but "VEG-ner" is the standard in English. Find a selection of Hans Wegner furniture on 1stDibs.
How do I identify a Hans Wegner chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To identify a Hans Wegner chair, look for hallmarks of his style. Most joints feature mortise and tenon construction, and armrests and seat supports are often hand-sculpted. Nearly all of his chair frames are solid wood. A piece fashioned out of wood composites is unlikely to be genuine. Find a collection of expertly vetted Hans Wegner chairs on 1stDibs.
Are Hans Wegner chairs comfortable?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Whether or not Hans Wegner chairs are comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. The Danish furniture designer did design his pieces with functionality in mind, striving to craft chairs that users would enjoy sitting in. Many of his chairs built upon traditional designs, such as the Peacock chair inspired by the classic Windsor chair. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of Hans Wegner chairs.
What was Hans J Wegner famous for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Hans J. Wegner was famous for creating chairs and other types of seating. Some of the Danish designer's most well-known pieces include the Papa Bear chair, the Round chair, the Wishbone chair and the China chair. Find a collection of Hans J. Wegner chairs on 1stDibs.
How do I cord a Hans Wegner peacock chair’s seat?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
You can cord a Hans Wegner peacock chair in a number of ways. Traditionally, the chair featured an over-under weave created by first wrapping the seat with vertical pairs of cord running from the back to the front. Then, artisans worked horizontally, pulling the cord through the vertical pairs. However, you can find many other patterns to try online. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Hans Wegner peacock chairs.
What pairs well with the CH07 chair by Hans Wegner?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
What pairs well with the CH07 chair by Hans Wegner is largely a matter of personal preference. To keep the eye focused on its dramatic curves, some interior decorators pair it with simple boxy sofas and tables. Feel free to experiment and create your own furniture layouts using the CH07 or shell chair. Find a collection of Hans Wegner CH07 shell chairs on 1stDibs.