Hans J. Wegner 1914–2007
Hans J. Wegner was born in Tønder, Denmark in 1914. As a teenager, Wegner apprenticed with master cabinetmaker H.F. Stahlberg before enrolling at the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in 1936. In 1940, Wegner teamed with Arne Jacobson and Erik Møller to design furniture for the newly built City Hall building in Aarhus, Denmark. In 1943, Wegner opened his own drafting studio. Wegner insisted on the highest standard of craftsmanship for his furniture, and his chairs often feature traditional mortise and tenon joints and unique materials such as paper cord.
Wegner’s famed China series (inspired by the imperial Chinese chairs from the Ming dynasty) was designed in 1949. That same year he introduce what is probably his most iconic seating design, The Chair at the Cabinetmakers Guild exhibition in Copenhagen. In 1951, his chairs were featured in the Museum of Modern Art’s famous Good Design exhibit. His chairs reached a national audience in 1960 when John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon sat in them during the televised presidential debate. In 1971, Wegner was awarded the Diploma di Collaborazione at the Milano Triennale. Wegner created his innovative three-legged stacking chair known as the PP58 in 1988. In 1992, he retired from his firm and his daughter Marianne took over his practice. Wegner died in 2007.
In 2014, the Design Museum of Denmark honored Wegner with a retrospective of his work. Wegner’s furniture designs are held in the collections across the globe and can be found in the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Victoria and Albert in London, and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, among many others.
Upcoming Lots Hans J. Wegner
100
Hans J. Wegner
Valet chair
estimate: $7,000–9,000
102
Hans J. Wegner
folding chairs, pair
estimate: $7,000–9,000
116
Hans J. Wegner
Cow Horn chairs, pair
estimate: $3,000–5,000
142
Hans J. Wegner
The Chairs, set of six
estimate: $6,000–8,000
145
Hans J. Wegner
Shell chair
estimate: $2,500–3,500
276
Hans J. Wegner
lounge chair, model AP 16
estimate: $1,500–2,000
280
Hans J. Wegner
daybed, model GE 7
estimate: $3,000–5,000
282
Hans J. Wegner
bed, model GE 705
estimate: $3,000–5,000
284
Hans J. Wegner
sewing table, model AT-33
estimate: $1,000–1,500
287
Hans J. Wegner
armchairs from Magasin du Nord, pair
estimate: $1,000–1,500
291
Hans J. Wegner
coffee table
estimate: $1,000–1,500
295
Hans J. Wegner
armchairs model AP 20, pair
estimate: $3,000–5,000
312
Hans J. Wegner
chair, model CH 31
estimate: $1,500–2,000
317
Hans J. Wegner
lounge chair, model AP 34U
estimate: $1,000–1,500
319
Hans J. Wegner
lounge chairs model GE260, pair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
320
Hans J. Wegner
cabinet
estimate: $1,000–1,500
331
Hans J. Wegner
settee, model AP 35/2
estimate: $2,000–3,000
332
Hans J. Wegner
coffee table
estimate: $5,000–7,000
334
Hans J. Wegner
sofa, model AP 34/3
estimate: $3,000–5,000
336
Hans J. Wegner
The Chair
estimate: $1,000–1,500
340
Hans J. Wegner
Peacock chair
estimate: $1,500–2,000
Auction Results Hans J. Wegner
Hans J. Wegner
rare Roman armchair
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $75,700
Hans J. Wegner
chaise lounge
estimate: $50,000–70,000
result: $70,800
Hans J. Wegner
Cow Horn chairs, set of ten
estimate: $30,000–40,000
result: $62,400
Hans J. Wegner
Swivel chair, model 50
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $50,400
Hans J. Wegner
Cow Horn chairs, set of eight
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $45,000
Hans J. Wegner
Rare Dolphin lounge chair
estimate: $50,000–70,000
result: $45,000
Hans J. Wegner
folding chairs, pair
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $40,000
Hans J. Wegner
Pollestolen (Ox Chair) and ottoman, model 46
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $38,400
Hans J. Wegner
desk
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $35,000
Hans J. Wegner
rare Bear chair and ottoman
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $35,000
Hans J. Wegner
The Chairs, set of twelve
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $32,500
Hans J. Wegner
The Chairs, set of ten
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $32,500