Hans J. Wegner
Danish, 1914-2007

for Johannes Hansen

PP550 ‘Peacock’ chair

Designed 1947

Ash, teak, and papercord

41 3/4 in. H × 27 1/2 in. W × 20 1/2 in. D

$5,600.00

Modeled after a traditional American Windsor chair, Hans Wegner’s Peacock chair strips the form to reveal its construction while retaining aesthetic, decorative impact. The chair reveals a modernist approach to designing around the human body and using natural materials, with one exception. The “rush” seat is actually made of paper cord: when the chair was first designed in 1947, shortages caused by World War II prevented Wegner from using jute. Fellow designer Finn Juhl gave the nickname of ‘Peacock,’ seeing the chair’s flattened spindles and magnificent arc resembling the bird’s plumage.

Modeled after a traditional American Windsor chair, Hans Wegner’s Peacock chair strips the form to reveal its construction while retaining aesthetic, decorative impact. The chair reveals a modernist approach to designing around the human body and using natural materials, with one exception. The “rush” seat is actually made of paper cord: when the chair was first designed in 1947, shortages caused by World War II prevented Wegner from using jute. Fellow designer Finn Juhl gave the nickname of ‘Peacock,’ seeing the chair’s flattened spindles and magnificent arc resembling the bird’s plumage.

Essay

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Condition

Excellent, with some minor wear throughout.

For a detailed condition report, please contact us.

References

Designmuseum, Danmark

High Museum of Art, 1981.1000.33

Vitra Design Museum, MSK-1152-1

Literature

40 years of Danish furniture design: 1947-1956, ed. Grete Jalk, vol. 3 (Copenhagen: Lindhardt og Ringhof, 1987), pp. 15-17.

Arne Karlsen, Danish Furniture Design: in the 20th Century, vol. 2 (Copenhagen: Christian Ejlers, 2007), p. 90.

Christian Holmsted Olesen, Wegner: Just One Good Chair (Germany, Hatje Cantz Verlag GmbH & Company KG, 2014).

Johan Møller Nielson, Wegner en Dansk Møbelkunstner (Copenhagen: Gyldendal, 1965), pp. 42, 98, 103, 106.

Noritsugu Oda, Danish Chairs (San Francisco: Chronicle Books), 1996, pp. 106, 107.

Svend Erik Møller and Viggo Sten Møller, Dansk Møbelkunst, Københavns snedkerlaugs møbeludstilling 1927-1951 (Copenhagen: 1951), p. 90.

Curator’s Note

We have four Peacock chairs available. Please contact us if you are interested in a pair or the set of four.

Excellent, with some minor wear throughout.

For a detailed condition report, please contact us.

Designmuseum, Danmark

High Museum of Art, 1981.1000.33

Vitra Design Museum, MSK-1152-1

40 years of Danish furniture design: 1947-1956, ed. Grete Jalk, vol. 3 (Copenhagen: Lindhardt og Ringhof, 1987), pp. 15-17.

Arne Karlsen, Danish Furniture Design: in the 20th Century, vol. 2 (Copenhagen: Christian Ejlers, 2007), p. 90.

Christian Holmsted Olesen, Wegner: Just One Good Chair (Germany, Hatje Cantz Verlag GmbH & Company KG, 2014).

Johan Møller Nielson, Wegner en Dansk Møbelkunstner (Copenhagen: Gyldendal, 1965), pp. 42, 98, 103, 106.

Noritsugu Oda, Danish Chairs (San Francisco: Chronicle Books), 1996, pp. 106, 107.

Svend Erik Møller and Viggo Sten Møller, Dansk Møbelkunst, Københavns snedkerlaugs møbeludstilling 1927-1951 (Copenhagen: 1951), p. 90.

We have four Peacock chairs available. Please contact us if you are interested in a pair or the set of four.

This item ships for a flat-rate fee of $350 to US and global customers.

All objects are packed with utmost care by our team of expert fine art shippers. All items are shipped with parcel insurance.

For more information on our shipping policies, please visit our FAQ Page.

All of our objects look even more stunning in person!

However, in case you are not satisfied with your purchase, we are willing to accept returns.

For more information on our return policies, please visit our FAQ page.

An essay for this object is forthcoming. Sign up for our email list to be the first to know when this essay is published!

This item ships for a flat-rate fee of $350 to US and global customers.

All objects are packed with utmost care by our team of expert fine art shippers. All items are shipped with parcel insurance.

For more information on our shipping policies, please visit our FAQ Page.

All of our objects look even more stunning in person!

However, in case you are not satisfied with your purchase, we are willing to accept returns.

For more information on our return policies, please visit our FAQ page.