Hans J. Wegner, for Carl Hansen & Søn

HANS J. WEGNER (Tønder, 1914–Gentofte, 2007) for Carl Hansen & Søn, Odense, Denmark.
Set of eight “CH23” chairs, designed in 1950, produced ca. 1951.
Oak and teak wood, with seats woven from natural rattan.
In good condition, with signs of wear consistent with its age. Frames restored and seats re-woven.
Measurements: 75.5 x 47 x 41 cm; seat height: 41 cm.

This set of eight chairs belongs to the earliest production runs of the “CH23,” designed by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn in 1950. Presented alongside the CH22, CH24, and CH25, it was part of the group of designs that marked the beginning of one of the most significant collaborations in modern Danish design.

Beneath its deliberately simple appearance, the chair incorporates some of the construction details that distinguish Wegner’s work. The slightly curved backrest is joined to the uprights by his characteristic cross-shaped details, while the arched rear legs contribute both to the chair’s stability and the fluidity of its silhouette. The combination of oak and teak introduces a subtle hallmark of contrast between the frame and the backrest, highlighting the precision of the cabinetmaking without resorting to ornamental elements.

The seats have been re-woven with natural rattan, preserving the handcrafted character and visual transparency of the weave. The presence of eight vintage pieces gathered in a single collection enhances the lot’s appeal and allows one to appreciate with particular clarity the formal and structural coherence of the design.

Initially trained as a cabinetmaker, Hans J. Wegner became one of the key figures in 20th-century Danish design. His collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn began in 1949 and immediately resulted in the CH22, CH23, CH24, and CH25, now considered essential pieces from the early stage of his career. Throughout his career, he designed nearly five hundred chairs and made a decisive contribution to the international prominence of postwar Danish furniture. His work is represented, among other institutions, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, which houses several of his designs, and occupies a central place in the collections and exhibitions at Designmuseum Danmark dedicated to Danish Modern.