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 Rosewood President Credenza for RY-Mobler
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans J. Wegner rosewood President credenza for RY-Mobler, Denmark. Iconic design by the master Hans Wegner in Brazilian rosewood with a white oak interior. Made from high quality mat...
Stainless Steel
$18,195
H 31 in W 78.75 in D 19.25 in
Hans Wegner for Ry Møbler RY-25 President Mid Century Rosewood Credenza
By Ry Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Hans Wegner for Ry Møbler RY-25 President Mid Century Rosewood Credenza This credenza measures: 78.75 wide x 19.25 deep x 31 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Very Minor Scratc...
Rosewood
Hans Wegner Teak Credenza Model RY-26 for RY Mobler
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans Wegner design teak credenza model RY-26 for RY Mobler, Denmark. High quality construction and attention to detail made with a teak case and oak interior. In very good original c...
Brass
Hans Wegner Model RY-25 President Rosewood Sideboard C. 1970s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Norwalk, CT
This luxurious sideboard was designed by Hans J. Wegner, the famous and prolific designed from Denmark. Crafted from rosewood, this piece is a magnificent statement piece that draws ...
Steel
$19,495 / set
H 62.5 in W 78.75 in D 19.25 in
Hans Wegner for Ry Møbler RY-25 President Mid Century Rosewood Credenza & Hutch
By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Hans Wegner for Ry Møbler RY-25 President Mid Century Rosewood Credenza with Hutch The credenza measures: 78.75 wide x 19.25 deep x 31 inches high The hutch measures: 59 wide x 12.7...
Glass, Rosewood
Hans Wegner Danish Mid Century Rosewood Sideboard
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Dublin, IE
Hans Wegner rosewood sideboard RY26 made by RY Mobler, Denmark 1950’s. This beautiful Hans Wegner Ry26 sideboard, designed in 1948 for Ry ...
Rosewood
Vintage Modern Rosewood Credenza from Royal Board of Sweden
By Royal Board
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning mid-century modern sideboard offers plenty of room for storage within its four hefty drawers and large storage compartments with shelves hidden behind its sliding doors...
Rosewood
Hans Wegner Teak President Tambour Door Credenza Sideboard
By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Elegant President credenza in teak designed by Hans Wegner and manufactured in Denmark by Ry Mobler. This handsome credenza has smooth sliding tambour doors with chrome and teak pull...
Teak
Kofod Larsen Rosewood Credenza
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Toledo, OH
Danish figured rosewood credenza by Kofod Larsen. This beautiful mid-century piece features tambour sliding doors, 3 adjustable shelves, 4 drawers with dovetail construction, and a f...
Rosewood
Bruno Hansen Danish Rosewood Credenza
By Bruno Hansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Finely crafted Brazilian rosewood credenza attributed to Bruno Hansen, Denmark, 1955. Features beveled edges, mitered corners, and stunning book-matched grain patterns across the fro...
Rosewood
Mahogany Cabinet Attributed to Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Dallas, TX
Large scale flamed mahogany cabinet with drop down bar attributed to Frits Henningsen.
Mahogany
Florence Knoll Walnut Dresser
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut chest of drawers with brushed steel base. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Walnut
Florence Knoll Walnut Dresser with Travertine Top
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut chest of drawers with brushed steel base and travertine top. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Travertine
Florence Knoll Triple Dresser in Teak
Located in Dallas, TX
A triple dresser in teak on stainless base. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Teak
Nanna Ditzel Desk in Rosewood for Søren Willadsen
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Dallas, TX
Three drawer rosewood desk by Nanna Ditzel for Søren Willadsen.
Rosewood
Studio Craft Walnut Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut studio craft cabinet with wonderful details. Expertly made and restored.
Walnut
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.
