Dining chair. ‘Chair 24’. Designed by Hans Wegner (b.1914), and made by Carl Hansen and Sons, Odense, Denmark, 1950.

Oak frame with paper-cord seat (looks like traditional rush seat). The chair is made with a frame in either oak or beech in a variety of finishes including nine lacquer colours, in the case of the beech. The curved arm/back piece is bent under steam pressure. This chair is sometimes known as the wishbone chair.

Designed by Hans Wegner (b.1914), and made the by Carl Hansen and Sons, Odense, Denmark. Danish; 1950. It was first shown at the Furniture Fair at Fredericia, Denmark in 1951.


Description of V&A Object from Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
The chair is made with frame in either oak or beech, in a variety of finishes, including nine lacquer colours in the case of the beech. The armrest is bent under steam pressure. It was first shown at The Furniture Fair at Fredericia, Denmark 1951.
‘This chair is the perfect solution of a task: the light, lowbacked armchair, sufficiently comfortable. It weighs nine pounds, just like a new born child. An architect can gain a nice reputation for himself by making this chair five times as heavy, half as comfortable and one quarter good looking. Look at it once more. It is completely faultless. Its form is spare and harmonious. It does not have any false or mendacious pretences. It fulfils its task in society with the modest conscientiousness expected of the good citizen. What more do you expect…’ Poul Henningsen: Mobilia December 1960, p43

Description of Craftsman from Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
Hans Wegner. Architect and designer. Born 1914. Trained Copenhagen school of Arts and Crafts. Own office from 1943, Gentofte, Denmark; lecturer School of Arts and Crafts, Copenhagen 1946-53; design consultant to Johannes Hansen, AP chairs, Danish CWS, Getama, Carl Hansen, Fritz Hansen, CM Furniture, Planmobel, Ry Mobler. Range of objects designed has included furniture, silver-ware, lamps, wallpapers. Work exhibited Milan Triennale (Grand Prix 1951, Gold Medal 1954, Silver Medal 1957) Design in Scandinavia USA tour 1954-57; Neue Form aus Danemark, German tour 1956-59; Formes Scandinaves, Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris 1958; The Arts of Denmark USA 1960-61; New York World Fair 1964. One man exhibitions of his furniture, Zurich 1958, New York 1959and 1965. Lunning Prize 1954, Eckersberg Medal 1956, AID Award USA 1961. See: Johan Moller Nielson, Wegner en Dansk Mobelkunster; George Nelson, Chairs New York 1953; Erik Zahle, Scandinavian Domestic Design London 1963

CIRC.327-1970