Hans J. Wegner

“I feel more like a craftsman than an architect. I think more like a craftsman, and if I have any doubts, I say; what would you do if you were standing with the materials. That's why I also go to the workshop when I have any doubts.” – Hans J. Wegner

Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007)

Danish furniture architect – Master of the Chair

Hans J. Wegner is considered one of the most creative and prolific Danish furniture designers. Nicknamed “The Master of Chairs,” he designed close to 500 chairs in his career – including the Y-chair (1949), the Peacock Chair (1947), the Teddy Bear Chair (1951) and the Round Chair (1949), also known as The Chair .

Background and education

Hans Jørgensen Wegner was born in Tønder in 1914. At the age of 14, he was apprenticed to master cabinetmaker HF Stahlberg and learned the trade from scratch. After his apprenticeship, he moved to Copenhagen, where he was inspired by the great master cabinetmakers of his time through the exhibitions of the Cabinetmakers' Guild. He was admitted to the Danish Academy of Arts and Crafts and later became an architect in 1938.

In the 1930s and 40s, Wegner worked with architects Erik Møller and Arne Jacobsen at Aarhus City Hall and with Børge Mogensen at FDB Møbler, where he contributed to developing functional and accessible quality furniture.

Career as a furniture designer

In 1941, Wegner began his groundbreaking collaboration with master cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen, resulting in a series of exhibition pieces that set new standards for craftsmanship and design. The transition from cabinetmaker to furniture architect marked the beginning of Hans Wegner's career as a designer, where his understanding of craftsmanship was combined with a new ambition to refine everyday furniture into art.

In 1949 he established his own design studio, where he mainly concentrated on furniture – especially chairs. His designs balanced functionality, beauty and an uncompromising approach to craftsmanship and materials.

International recognition really came in 1960, when The Round Chair was used during the televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. After that, the chair became known worldwide as The Chair – a symbol of Danish Modern.

Iconic furniture by Hans J. Wegner

Among Hans J. Wegner's iconic furniture are a number of designs, each of which demonstrates his ability to transform simple constructions into sculptural masterpieces – Danish furniture that today stands as symbols of Danish design tradition.

The Wishbone Chair (1949) – his most famous chair, still in production at Carl Hansen & Son.
The Round Chair / The Chair (1949) – known from the Kennedy/Nixon debate.
The Peacock Chair (1947) – sculptural chair with a characteristic back.
The Teddy Bear Chair (1951) – upholstered armchair, produced by AP Stolen and later Getama.
The Ox Chair (1960) – dramatic armchair, also known as the 'Pool Chair'
CH33 Dining chair (1957) – elegant, functional chair in wood and wicker.
J16 Rocking Chair (1944) – simple and classic rocking chair.
The Valet Chair (1953) – combination of chair and clothes rack.
Shell Chair / Skalstolen (1963) – three-legged lounge chair, model CH07.
The Flagline Chair (1950) – experimental lounge chair in wood and flagline.
The Kohornstolen (1952) – beautiful, handcrafted chair in solid wood.

These designs demonstrate Wegner's ability to unite function, comfort and aesthetics in timeless furniture classics.

Producers and collaborations

Behind many of Wegner's furniture stood a number of significant manufacturers, whose collaboration with the designer became crucial for the development of Danish furniture art.

Johannes Hansen – the collaboration resulted in many of his early major works, such as The Round Chair and The Peacock Chair.
AP Stolen – manufacturer of the Bamse Chair and several upholstered furniture.
Carl Hansen & Son – the most important manufacturer of the Y-chair, sideboards and much more.
Getama – produced sofas, armchairs and upholstered furniture, including the GE290 series and the old Flagline chairs.
Ry Møbler – was responsible for a series of classic sideboards in noble woods.
Fritz Hansen – collaborated on a few chairs.
PP Møbler – known for the production of the Circle Chair and took over production from Johannes Hansen in the 1980s.
Erik Jørgensen – produced, among other things, the Ox chair in recent times.
Plan Møbler – collaborated on a range of practical office furniture.
etc.

Legacy and legacy

Hans J. Wegner stopped designing furniture in 1993 and thereafter acted as an advisor to his daughter, architect Marianne Wegner. He left behind more than 3500 drawings and sketches and is today considered one of the most important figures in Danish design history. His furniture is still in production and original vintage examples are highly valued by collectors worldwide.

Discover Hans J. Wegners' original furniture at KLASSIK

Do you dream of owning an original piece of furniture by Hans Wegner? At KLASSIK you will find a handpicked selection of his most iconic design classics – from chairs and sofas to tables and lamps. All furniture is genuine vintage and selected for its authenticity and quality.

If we don't have the exact piece of furniture you are looking for, we will be happy to help you find it. Contact us at support@klassik.dk or call 33 33 90 60 – or visit our store at Bredgade 3, Copenhagen, where you can experience original works by Hans J. Wegner and other big names in Danish design.