Hans J. Wegner (b. Tønder 1914, d. Gentofte 2007)
“The Chair”. A set of eight teak armchairs. Seat upholstered with natural coloured leather. Model JH 503. Designed 1949. These examples made 1960s by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen, with maker's stamp. (8)
Model presented at The Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition at Designmuseum Danmark, 1949.
Literature: Grete Jalk [ed.]: “40 Years of Danish Furniture Design”, vol. 3, pp. 98–101 and 140–142.
1949 is considered an epoch-making year for Danish furniture design. Iconic models were presented such as Finn Juhl's Chieftain Chair and among others the first version of Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen's Metropolitan Chair. They all attracted much attention from abroad, but it was Hans J. Wegner's chair that led to the actual breakthrough for Danish furniture design. Shortly after the launch of the chair, it was mentioned in the American magazine “Interior”, where it was named “The Chair” and referred to as the most beautiful chair in the world.
Design: Evening sale, 6 December 2017