In September of 1960, when Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy sat down for the first nationally televised presidential debate, the two candidates rested on one of the most celebrated designs of the 20th century. Often called simply “The Chair,” the Round chair is one of hundreds designed by Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007). As he once said, “The good chair is a task one is never completely done with.”
Nicknamed the “Master of the Chair,” influential Danish designer Wegner inventively used natural materials in his work and, in particular, experimented with different types of wood instead of the industrial materials favored by 20th-century European modernism.
In his highly functional pieces with their timeless silhouettes, Wegner celebrated the textures of oak, walnut, birch and others while concealing joints inside the various pieces for a seamless frame. Sometimes described as “Organic Functionality,” his approach exemplified the aesthetics of Scandinavian modern design in its reduction of an object to its essential elements while using that sparsity to elevate its materials.
The son of a cobbler, Wegner later apprenticed to a master cabinetmaker and studied at the Technical University of Denmark and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (then the Copenhagen School of Arts and Crafts). He opened his furniture design firm in 1943 and throughout his career centered his practice on craftsmanship and constantly reimagined the shape of the utilitarian chair.
He debuted the Round chair in 1949, first showing it at the Annual Exhibition of the Cabinetmakers’ Guild in Copenhagen. Wegner called it simply “the round one.” A semicircle of wood is balanced on its tapered legs, with either a handwoven cane or leather seat stretched between them. Its open back offers comfort for movement, an alternative to traditional straight-back chairs; its finely turned arms provide support without intruding on the sitter’s space. Incorporating 11 pieces of wood and zigzag joints to offer the appearance of a continuous semicircle of wood from the arms to the back, the Round chair’s form is minimal but showcases expert carpentry. In 1950, Interiors magazine declared it “the most beautiful chair in the world.”
Wegner took incredible care with his designs, believing that a good piece of furniture should last a lifetime. Originally manufactured by Danish furniture maker Johannes Hansen, the Round chair is now produced by Danish joinery workshop PP Møbler, which has sought to guard Wegner’s design through meticulous craftsmanship so it can continue to be enjoyed for generations.
Hans J. Wegner, Armchair in Teak & Leather, "The Chair" model JH501, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
An iconic armchair in teak and leather, Model JH501, famously known as "The Chair," designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949. This particular version, crafted in the 1950s by Johannes Hans...
Leather, Teak
Vintage Hans Wegner "The" Chair Johannes Hansen Teak Danish Patina
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic "The" chair designed by Hans Wegner and executed by Johannes Hansen, Denmark, circa 1950s. Beautiful patina, reupholstered in cognac (orange/yellow/brown tone) leather. Thi...
Teak
$13,995 / set
Pair Hans Wegner JH501 "The Chair" "Round Chair"
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Hans Wegner JH501 "The Chair" "Round Chair". Pair in original condition. Highly collectible design in teak and cane. Sturdy and no breaks in the...
Cane, Teak
'Round chair'' mod. 503 by Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Quarrata, IT
An armchair known as the "Round Chair" (Model 503), originally designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949 and produced in Denmark during the 1960s. The minimalist frame is constructed from s...
Leather, Wood
Hans Wegner Vintage JH-501 Chair in Oak and Cane c1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in London, England
Hans J. Wegner - Model JH-501: "The Chair", 1949 This early version of Hans Wegner's most iconic design was simply known as the 'The Chair' when it was first produced or fondly as '...
Rattan, Oak
Classic Hans Wegner Round Chair
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in New York, NY
Sleek, sophisticated and architectural, wraparound armchair in solid rosewood, designed by Hans Wegner made by Johannes Hansen The chair has a solid rosewood frame, drop in upholstered seat, and wrapped cane backrest. The frame looks like it has a later, but not new, clear lacquered overcoat, the fabric seat shows cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. Measures: Total H 29.5 x arm H 27.5 x seat H 17 inches. Know as the Round Chair...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Hans J Wegner The Chair Model JH501 in Teak with Original Cane Seat
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful example of Hans Wegner's timeless The Chair or Round Chair built by cabinetmaker, Johannes Hansen, in solid teak with its original cane seat. The caning is 95% intact and...
Cane, Teak
Vintage Hans Wegner Chair for Johannes Hansen, Made in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Doraville, GA
A vintage solid oak armchair designed by Hans Wegner in 1948, model number JH-503 for Johannes Hansen in Copenhagen, Denmark. The chair became immensely popular and was dubbed "The C...
Fabric, Oak
$7,952Sale Price|24% Off
JH-501 Armchair by Hans J. Wegner, Teak, Mid-Century Modern, Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in PARIS, FR
JH-501 armchair by Hans Wegner, 1949, Wegner's most emblematic armchair in its first version by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen, fire-marked. It is this armchair that made Scandinavian ...
Teak
Vintage Round Chairs in Teak by Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen - a Pair
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of two matching JH-503 "Round Chairs" in teak designed by Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen. This iconic chairs, also known simply as "The Chair" is one of the most celebrated des...
Leather, Teak
Hans J. Wegner Pair of Armchairs 'The Chair' for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans J. Wegner model JH503 in elm. Seat upholstered with leather. Executed by Johannes Hansen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Four chairs available.
Leather, Elm
The Chair by Hans Wegner Model JH501 for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans Wegner round chair model JH501 for Johannes Hansen, Denmark. Iconic chair by the master Hans Wegner and nick named "The Chair" after being featured in the JFK presidential debat...
Cane, Teak
The Round Chair by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An oak "round" chair retaining the original upholstery with impressed stamp, "Johannes Hansen COPENHAGEN DENMARK".
Leather, Oak
$32,500 / set
Set of 8 Round Chairs by Hans Wegner for PP Mobler
By PP Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Kensington, MD
Set of 8 Round Chairs by Hans Wegner for PP Mobler. The chairs marked and dated to underside. Additional information: The PP503 Chair, designed by Hans Wegner, is identified as one ...
Wood
The Chair Model JH503 in Oak with Vegetable-Tanned Natural Leather
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
"The Chair" model JH503 designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949 and manufactured by Johannes Hansen in the 1960s. Crafted in oak with a seat upholstered in vegetable-tanned natural leathe...
Leather, Oak
Hans Wegner Armchair Model JH-501 by Johannes Hansen in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare armchair model JH-501 / the chair designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by Johannes Hansen in Denmark.
Leather, Teak
Pair of Hans J. Wegner Armchair "JH-501" in Oak & Rattan Cane, Danish Modern
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
Designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949 this is one of the most iconic pieces of Danish modern furniture design. Pair of rare and early model "JH-501" made by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen...
Rattan, Oak
The Round Chair by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, 1949
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak 'Round' chair with masterfully sculpted backrest and arms floating atop tapered dowel legs having a caned seat. This sublime chair became known a...
Teak, Cane
FULLY RESTORED & STAMPED 1960's HANS J WEGNER CH 35 BROWN LEATHER ARMCHAIR
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare, highly collectable, fully restored, circa 1950-1960 Hans J Wegner, Carl Hansen & Son Denmark stamped CH 35...
Leather, Teak
PP501 The Chair in Clear Oak with Cane Seat
By PP Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Vancouver, BC
The back of the pp501 is carved out of a 5 inch piece of solid wood with seat in light cane. The material used in caning chairs is derived from the peeled bark ...
Rattan, Oak
The Round Chair in Solid Ash w/ Cane Seats by Hans J. Wegner for PP Møbler
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of 6 custom height PP501 round chairs with sculpted back and arms in ash with a caned seat.
Cane, Ash
Hans Wegner Sawbuck Chair
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in New York, NY
A Danish oak and leather armchair. Designed by Hans Wegner Name - Sawbuck chair Model Number - CH-28 armchair was designed by Hans Wegner in 195...
Oak, Leather
$58,000 / set
H 30 in W 25 in D 22 in
Hans Wegner JH-503 Round Armchairs in Teak with Chocolate Leather Seats
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original set of 10 JH-503 armchairs in solid teak, designed by Hans J. Wegner and produced by master cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen in Copenhagen, circa 1950s. This early model is one...
Teak, Leather
$8,867
H 28.94 in W 22.64 in D 17.33 in
Hans Wegner, Cow Horn Chair, model JH 505, Johannes Hansen, Denmark 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Hans J. Wegner Cow Horn chair, model JH 505 designed by Wegner in 1952 and made by Johannes Hansen, Denmark, 1950s teak frame with curved 'cow horn' ends to the back rail and inlaid ...
Leather, Teak
$41,712 / set
H 31.89 in W 20.48 in D 16.54 in
Dining Chairs Designed by Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dining chairs designed by Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Denmark, 1960s. Wenge, steel, and leather. Set of six. Measurements: H: 81 cm/ 31 3/4'' W: 52 cm/ 20 1/2'' D: 42 cm/ 16 1...
Steel
$22,627 / set
H 30.71 in W 20.48 in D 16.54 in
Hans J. Wegner Set of Six Chairs in Teak for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans J. Wegner set of six chairs for Johannes Hansen. Model JH-504. Frame in Teak, seat and back in cane.
Cane, Teak
$4,914
H 42.13 in W 24.81 in D 36.62 in
Scandinavian Modern Hans J. Wegner Rocking Chair, Red Lacquer, 1960s, Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
Rare early rocking chair model J16 by Hans J. Wegner manufactured by FDB in the 1960s. This rare red lacquered version were made in few numbers for a limited time-period and are a ra...
Papercord, Beech, Lacquer
Hans J. Wegner Round Chair
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original model JH-503 round armchair in teak and leather, designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hanse. Sculptural teak frame has been gently polished and retains lovely patina. ...
Teak
Hans Wegner Chinese Chair 4283
By Hans J. Wegner, Fritz Hansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner famous and beautiful chair is an adaptation of an old Chinese chair of the Ming dynasty; “China Chair”. A very comfortable armchair made in stained cherry. Loose seat ...
Leather, Cherry
Hans Wegner Peacock Chair, C1960s
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, GB
“Peacock Chair”. Easy chair with ash frame and teak armrests. Seat with woven paper cord. Model JH 550. Designed 1947. This example made approx. 1960s by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen...
Ash
The Swivel Chair by Hans Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
swivel chair designed by Hans Wegner & made by Johannes Hansen w/teak back, chrome frame & blue vinyl seat
Chrome
$20,913
H 25.99 in W 29.93 in D 26.78 in
Armchair Designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Denmark, 1950's
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stockholm, SE
Oak and canvas. Measurements: H: 66 cm/ 2' 2" SH: 33.5 cm/ 1' 1 1/4" D: 68 cm/ 2' 2 3/4" W: 76 cm/ 2' 6 3/4". Hans J. Wegner is the father of Danish design and is well known for cr...
Canvas, Oak
$4,192Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 32.29 in W 23.23 in D 20.08 in
Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen JH-813 Black Leather Armchairs, Set of 2
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Hans J. Wegner for the 1947 Copenhagen Cabinet Makers Guild Exhibition, the JH-813 chair was initially conceived to be made in wood. It wasn’t until the 1970s ...
Leather
Sold
H 30.32 in W 24.81 in D 20.87 in
Hans J. Wegner 'The Chair/Round Chair' Dining Chairs in Teak and Cane
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen Møbelsnedkeri, PP Møbler, 'The Chair/Round Chair' dining chairs, teak, Denmark, 1949 An important pair of Hans J. Wegner dining chairs made in 194...
Cane, Teak
One Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen JH501 "The Chair" in Teak & Cane
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Seattle, WA
A single JH501 with cane seat and back, designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen. This iconic Danish modern design is best known as "The Chair.” The more common version with le...
Cane, Teak
One Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen JH501 "The Chair" in Teak & Cane
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Seattle, WA
A single JH501 with cane seat and back, designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen. This iconic Danish modern design is best known as "The Chair.” The more common version with le...
Cane, Teak
Set of 4 Round Chairs by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in San Diego, CA
The extraordinary and historically important Round Chair (Model JH503) by legendary Danish designer Hans J. Wegner, crafted by master cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen in the 1950s. Regar...
Teak, Leather
Hans J. Wegner The Chair, walnut, leather. PP503
By PP Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner armchair "The Chair" in oiled walnut. New upholstered with black full grain leather. Model PP-503, made by PP Møbler. This chair was made world famous because in a ...
Leather, Walnut
Hans Wegner JH 503 Walnut Chair by Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Miami, FL
A sculptural walnut armchair designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Denmark, circa 1950s. This iconic design, often referred to as “The Chair” or “The Round Chair”, exemplif...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 30.12 in W 24.81 in D 21.66 in
Hans J. Wegner Pair of “The Chair” JH503, Oak and Black Leather, Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007) The iconic Round Chair, internationally known as The Chair, model JH503. Designed in 1949 and produced in collaboration with master cabinetmaker Johannes ...
Leather, Oak
Sold
H 27.56 in W 22.84 in D 19.3 in
Set of four vintage First Chair PP201 by Hans J Wegner for Pp Furniture, Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner, PP Møbler
Located in The Hague, NL
The pp203 First Chair by PP Møbler, designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1969, is a masterpiece that elegantly merges the aesthetics of the pp701 Minimal Chair with the robust construction ...
Papercord, Ash
Hans Wegner, "The Chair", model JH503, Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Hans J. Wegner "The Chair" also known as the "Round Chair", model JH503 in teak seat upholstered with green leather beautiful patina to the wood, with particularly nice joints on th...
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 29.14 in W 24.41 in D 17.72 in
The Chair Model JH503 Made In Teak By Hans J. Wegner For Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
"The Chair" model JH503, designed by Hans J. Wegner and manufactured by Johannes Hansen in the 1960s. This version is made of teak with upholstery in black-colored leather, which giv...
Teak
Sold
H 30 in W 24.5 in D 20 in L 30 in
Pair Hans J. Wegner "the Chair" Model JH503 in Oak for Johannes Hansen. Signed
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful pair of "The Chairs" or "Round Chairs" designed by Hans Wagner and made by Johannes Hansen for distribution but Knoll International. These have been expertly refinished an...
Upholstery, Oak
Hans Wegner Mid Century Teak The Chair with Cane Seats model JH 501
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Miami, FL
Hans Wegner Mid Century Teak The Chair with Cane Seats - Set of 6 These chairs measure: 25 wide x 18 deep x 29.75 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair cleara...
Cane, Teak
