Hans Wegner armchair

This JH-501 armchair, known simply as “The Chair” was designed in 1949 by Hans J. Wegner and faithfully realized by Johannes Hansen’s workshop in Copenhagen. Its sculptural frame is crafted from solid teak, whose warm, reddish-brown hue and tightly grained surface have mellowed over seven decades to a rich, even patina. Every transition—from the rounded back rail carved from a single billet of wood to the gently tapering arm supports—reveals Wegner’s mastery of organic form and Johannes Hansen’s commitment to precise joinery.

The chair’s most striking feature is its circular back rail, which curves smoothly to cradle the sitter’s shoulders and flows seamlessly into the armrests. The front legs continue this fluid language, rising into vertical uprights that meet the arms at visible finger-jointed corners. The result is a continuous line that both visually lightens the piece and reinforces its structural integrity. Proportions are meticulously balanced: at 63 cm wide and 52 cm deep, the chair feels neither bulky nor insubstantial, and its seat height of 43 cm places it at an inviting human scale.

Suspended within the teak frame is the original hand-woven cane seat, arranged in a tight grid that supports the body while allowing air circulation. The pale natural tone of the cane contrasts subtly with the darker teak, highlighting the chair’s duality of materials. Despite its age, the cane remains taut and intact, showing only the faintest signs of wear at points of frequent contact. The wood surfaces bear minimal surface marks—small impressions and a few hairline scratch—consistent with careful, long-term use rather than neglect.

Hans Wegner (1914–2007) was a pivotal figure in Danish modernism, and “The Chair” is often cited as his masterpiece. Its appearance during the 1960 televised debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon helped cement its status as an icon of democratic design. Wegner’s work sought to distill furniture to its essential elements: form reduced to function, craftsmanship elevated to art. Johannes Hansen’s workshop, with its emphasis on small-batch, handmade production, was the ideal partner for realizing Wegner’s vision, and an early production chair will still bear the maker’s stamp beneath the seat rail.

This armchair remains structurally sound and fully functional. The teak frame is free from warping or joint looseness, and the woven cane continues to offer firm, resilient support. In both its material presence and its historical resonance, this JH-501 stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Hans Wegner and the golden age of Danish modern furniture.