Hans J. Wegner
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a teak, oak and cane "Cowhorn chair", JH 505, Johannes Hansen, Denmark 1950-60's.
Maker's mark Johannes Hansen, seat height ca 43 cm, height 74 cm.
Slight wear, the cane is later.
Provenance
Danish Modern museum / Lasse Andersen Collection.
Literature
Johan Møller Nielson, 'Wegner en Dansk Møbelkunstner', Copenhagen 1965, p 76.
Grete Jalk (ed), 'Dansk Møbelkunst gennem 40 aar', vol III: 1947-1956, Copenhagen 1987, p 213.
Jens Bernsen, 'Hans J Wegner: om Design', catalogue, Dansk Design Center, Copenhagen 1995, p 75.
Christian Holmsted Olesen, 'Wegner: just one good chair', Design Museum Denmark, Copenhagen 2014, p 136.
More information
The model was designed in 1952.
Designer
Hans Jørgensen Wegner was a Danish architect and furniture designer, well-known both in Denmark and internationally. He designed over 500 different chairs, including the Wishbone Chair (the "Y chair"), which today is considered a design icon. The chair is a magnificent example of Wegner's design, with its wooden frame and laced seat. Other examples of iconic chairs designed by Wegner are The Smiling Chair and Sawbuck Chair.
In his design, Wegner combined beauty and function. With a background as a cabinetmaker, he knew how to make ergonomic, high-quality furniture.
During his career, Wegner did several significant projects with other designers, such as Arne Jacobsen, Erik Møller, and Børge Mogensen. Wegner was also involved in the concepts Danish Modern and Scandinavian Modern after the Second World War.
Wegner's design classics are found in many Scandinavian homes and are represented in the most prominent design museums worldwide.