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Hans J. Wegner, 100 years
– rarities and classics at auction in Copenhagen
In late November and early December, Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers will be marking the centenary of
Danish cabinetmaker and architect Hans J. Wegner with a large-scale design auction of rare curiosities and
beloved classics from the 1940s and 50s.
“We will be celebrating the diversity and strength of Wegner’s timeless design with a unique selection of
the architect’s early vintage furniture from the 1940s and 50s – the furniture made by cabinetmaker
Johannes Hansen is in particular demand. The two of them collaborated for more than 20 years, creating
some of the most sculptural and technically demanding chairs together. The highlights of the auction
include the extremely rare ‘Dolphin-chair’, of which only a few were made,” says Peter Kjelgaard, head of
the design department at Bruun Rasmussen.
A sense of design
With a background as a
cabinetmaker and an architect,
Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007)
possessed both an innate feel
for the wood’s qualities and a
unique sense of design. This
enabled him to connect idea
and execution in order to
create some of the most
famous pieces of Danish
furniture ever. The Chair,
Valet Chair, Papa Bear Chair
and Y-chair are just some of
the pieces that have secured
Wegner an inevitable place in
international design history.
The seeds of Danish
design’s world renown
His design and commercial
breakthrough came in the
years immediately after the
Second World War – at a time
when the world was receptive to Danish furniture designers. Wegner aimed to make the furniture simple,
to try to bring the wood to life, and imbue it with spirit and vitality. The real milestone was the mention
of Danish design in the American “Interiors” magazine in 1950, when The Chair was referred to as the
world's most beautiful chair. This not only signalled the start of Wegner’s own world fame, but also the
international breakthrough for Danish design in general.
The Wegner auction features countless highlights. Here are a few of the items up for
auction:
•
Hans J. Wegner: The “Dolphin Chair”. Model JH 510. Only a small number made by cabinetmaker
Johannes Hansen, Copenhagen, c. 1950. Estimate: DKK 500,000-600,000.
•
Hans J. Wegner: “JH 521”. Armchair with oak legs. Upholstered in yellow wool. Armrests and back
in black leather. Made by Johannes Hansen. Estimate: DKK 400,000.
•
Hans J. Wegner: “JH 524”. A pair of oak deck chairs with original flag line, adjustable back with
chrome bracket. Model JH 524. Made and stamped by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen Estimate:
DKK 300,000-400,000.
•
Hans J. Wegner: “The Pincer”. Deck chair of solid patinated oak, with chrome-plated steel
mountings. Made and stamped by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen Estimate: DKK 300,000400,000.
•
Hans J. Wegner: “JH 571”. Free-standing solid teak desk, mounted on slightly oblique oak legs.
Made by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen. H. 73. W. 90. L. 195. Estimate: DKK 200,000.
•
Hans J. Wegner: “Swivel Chair”. Very rare early office chair with teak back and frame of polished
steel, mounted on bakelite castors. Seat upholstered with black leather. Made in 1955 and
stamped by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen. Estimate: DKK 100,000-150,000.
•
Hans J. Wegner: “JH-720”. Gigantic pendant lamp with brass frame, uplighting acrylic shade and
white-lacquered moulded wood, suspended by chains. Made by Johannes Hansen. Diam. 118. H.
75. Estimate: DKK 75,000-100,000.
International auction in Copenhagen
Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers, Bredgade 33, Copenhagen
Preview: 20–24 November
Wegner auction: 3 December
For further information, please contact Peter Kjelgaard on tel. +45 8818 1191 / email: [email protected]
Press photo
Hans J. Wegner: "Dolphin Chair". Model JH 510. Made in a few copies by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen,
Copenhagen, Denmark, approx. 1950. Estimate: DKK 500,000-600,000.
Best regards
Camilla Lezuik Streton
News editor
Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers
Sundkrogsgade 30 · DK-2150 Nordhavn
Tel: +45 8818 1071
bruun-rasmussen.dk