Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen.

HANS J. WEGNER (Denmark, 1914 - 2007) for Johannes Hansen.
Pair of chairs model "The Chair" JH503, designed in 1949.
Solid oak wood and black leather upholstery.
Stamped mark on the lower part of the chair.
Measurements: 76.5 x 63 x 55 cm (x2); 44 cm (seat height, x2).
The iconic Round Chair, known internationally as The Chair, model JH503 was designed in 1949 and produced in collaboration with master cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen in Copenhagen, from whose workshop these examples originate. The chair quickly became an international design icon and achieved worldwide fame when it was used during the 1960 U.S. presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, an event that cemented its legendary nickname, The Chair.
The frames are made of solid oak with a beautiful natural patina. The seats are upholstered in black leather (possibly reupholstered at a later date).
Hans J. Wegner was a key figure in furniture design and one of the prime movers in the international recognition of Danish design in the mid-20th century. Linked to the modern school, his work is characterized by a strong emphasis on functionality and the expressive use of wood. Trained as a cabinetmaker from an early age, he combined craftsmanship and design after studying at technical and artistic institutions in Copenhagen. He collaborated with leading Danish master cabinetmakers and architects, and found in the Carpenters' Guild Exhibitions a decisive space to develop his career. His approach sought to reveal the essential structure of furniture, especially the chair. Throughout his career he received important international awards and his designs are now part of museum collections such as the MoMA in New York and Die Neue Sammlung in Munich.