PP501 The Chair

The “Round One” as Wegner referred to it with his usual provincial modesty, is one of the most famous Danish pieces of furniture — and certainly most distinctly Danish. In its own modest and simple way, it sums up the very essence of traditional Danish woodworking and design philosophy. It is considered the magnum opus of Hans J. Wegner.

With this chair Wegner came into his own right, no longer needing the inspiration from other cultures and designers that had influenced his earlier works. This chair was created in a language of shape and construction that only Wegner spoke.

It also became the cornerstone in a wide range of designs, which for more than a decade constituted the core business of several Danish furniture manufacturers, effectively becoming the main force in the great international breakthrough of Danish Modern.

In 1960, when John F. Kennedy faced Richard Nixon in the first presidential election debate to be televised, they sat in “The Chair”. The debate was historic and proved pivotal in favour of Kennedy.