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.
Danish Modern "Papa" Bear set of 2 armchairs, 1950's
By A.P. Stolen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Uccle, BE
This unique set features two early Papa Bear AP 19 chairs, designed by Hans J. Wegner and crafted by A.P. Stolen in Denmark around 1951. Priced as a pair, we are also open to selling...
Oak
$31,265
H 39.77 in W 35.44 in D 37.41 in
AP 19 - Papa Bear chair & stool in new fabric by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
AP 19 - Reupholstered Papa Bear chair with matching stool in light textile (A Joy by Dedar, colour 002 Natural) ABOUT THE FURNITURE: This is an original 'Papa Bear chair' by Hans J....
Textile, Oak
Hans J. Wegner Papa Bear Chair, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stockholm, SE
Newly reupholstered in fabric "Mons" from Astrid Textiles. Very good condition. Produced by A.P. Stolen in Denmark.
Sheepskin, Oak, Teak
$10,000
H 41 in W 28.5 in D 26 in
Danish Mid Century Modern Mama Bear AP-27 Chair designed by Hans Wegner
By A.P. Stolen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Danish Mid Century Modern model AP-27 designed by Hans Wegner, made by AP-Stolen, known as the Mama Bear chair. The chair features an exaggerated tall back, spayed teak armres...
Fabric, Teak
$30,854
H 38.98 in W 35.83 in D 35.83 in
Vintage "Papa Bear" Lounge Chair by Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. Stolen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Iconic “Papa Bear” lounge chair by Hans J. Wegner, in a wide, comfortable design upholstered in light grey Kvadrat fabric. Handles with oak details at the ends.
Upholstery, Oak
Papa Bear Chair by Hans J Wegner for A.P.Stolen
By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. Stolen
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is a beautiful example of an earlier version of the classic design by Hans J Wegner, and has been expertly reupholstered in Abraham Moon Forest Green fabric. The legs are of Oak...
Wool, Oak, Teak
Hans J. Wegner Papa Bear Chair, A. P. Stolen 1951
By Anker Pedersen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans J. Wegner 'Papa Bear' chair with arms of teak and legs of oak, upholstered with light soft fabric. Designed 1951 and manufactured by A.P. Stolen, Denmark, model AP19. Very f...
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Unavailable|$27,000
H 38.75 in W 35.75 in D 18.5 in
Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chairfor A.P. Stolen Denmark, 1950's
By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. Stolen
Located in San Diego, CA
The Papa Bear Chair is absolutely stunning. The AP-29 is a truly iconic chair newly upholstered in a soft beautiful grey Maharam wool. The chair features beautiful oak legs and tea...
Oak, Teak, Wool
Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair by AP Stolen, 1960s.
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Asaa, DK
Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair by AP Stolen, 1960s. Fairly early Papa Bear armchair AP-19 with beech frame and legs and teak claws designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1951 for A.P. Stolen De...
Wool, Teak
$30,000 / set
H 39 in W 36 in D 36 in
Hans J. Wegner AP19 Papa Bear Chair and Ottoman for COM Customizable
By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. Stolen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original AP-19 Lounge Chair and matching ottoman designed by Hans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen. Better known as the Papa Bear Chair, the design remains one of Wegner’s most sculptura...
Wool, Teak
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.
