Early Hans J. Wegner Papa Bear Chair in Teak and Blue Hallingdal Wool, 1960s
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Early Hans J. Wegner Papa Bear Chair in Teak and Blue Hallingdal Wool, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Hans J. Wegner (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 38.59 in (98 cm)Width: 35.04 in (89 cm)Depth: 35.44 in (90 cm)Seat Height: 16.15 in (41 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Only few signs of wear. Beautiful patina to the teak wood. The wool has been professionally dry-cleaned.
- Seller Location:Odense, DK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3793116917161
Papa Bear Chair
The wingback Papa Bear chair, also known as the Teddy Bear chair, has two outstretched arms with wood detailing once described by a critic as “great bear paws embracing you from behind” — hence the name. The piece was designed by Hans Wegner (1914–2007), a pioneer of Danish modernism who crafted nearly 500 chairs over the course of his long career. Not many of them, however, have the anthropomorphic qualities that this one does.
Wegner was raised in the south of Denmark, where he served as an apprentice to a cabinetmaker as a child. Inspired to study architecture and design, he enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, then opened his own studio in 1943, working closely with peers like Arne Jacobsen, Erik Møller and more. Wegner was a leading figure of the Scandinavian modernism movement, which championed quality craftsmanship, elegant design and efficient functionality.
The Papa Bear chair was Wegner’s first project with manufacturer A.P. Stolen, which enjoyed numerous collaborations with the designer over his career. Originally produced with a solid beechwood frame, Wegner’s chair, with its high backrest, lengthy back legs and comfortable cotton-upholstered cushioning, was designed in 1951 and had its first manufacturing run from 1953 to 1969. Its current production is managed by Danish joinery workshop PP Møbler, and the chair and ottoman are now available in a variety of wood and textile finishes.
Hans J. Wegner
Best known for his chairs and seating pieces — though a master of many furniture types like sofas and tables — Hans Wegner was a prolific designer whose elegant, often ebullient, forms and devotion to the finest methods in joinery made "Danish Modern" a popular byword for stylish, well-made furniture in the mid-20th century.
Wegner considered himself a carpenter first and a furniture designer second. Like his peers Arne Jacobsen and Finn Juhl, Wegner believed that striking aesthetics in furniture were based on a foundation of practicality: a chair must be comfortable and sturdy before it is chic.
In keeping with that tenet, several of Wegner’s best chair designs, seen in dealer listings below, have their roots in traditional seating forms. The Peacock chair (designed in 1947) is a throne-like adaptation of the Windsor chair; pieces from the China chair series (begun in 1944) as well as the 1949 Wishbone chair, with its distinctive Y-shaped back splat, are derived from 17th-century Ming seating pieces, as is the upholstered Ox chair (1960). Wegner’s comfy Papa Bear chair (1951) is an almost surreally re-scaled English wingback chair.
Wegner’s most representative piece, the Round chair (1949), gained a footnote in political history when it was used on the TV stage of the first Kennedy-Nixon debate of 1960. That chair, along with Wegner’s more bravura designs, for example the 1963 Shell chair, with its curved surfboard-shaped seat, bring a quietly sculptural presence to a room. Wegner was a designer who revered his primary material — wood — and it shows. His wood gathers patina and character with age; every Hans Wegner piece testifies to the life it has led.
- Hans J. Wegner Peacock Chair in Ash & Teakwood, Johannes Hansen, Denmark, 1960sBy Johannes Hansen, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Odense, DKEarly Hans J. Wegner Peacock Chair in Ash & Teakwood executed by Cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen in the 1960s. This beautiful example of the iconic Windsor style chair by Hans J. Wegner...Category
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- Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair in Teak and WoolBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Toronto, OntarioA terrific early Papabear chair designed by Hans J. Wegner in the late 60's. This example in solid teak. Solid paws and feet with upholstery in Haling...Category
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- Lounge Chair in Metal and Sheepskin by Hans Wegner, 1960sBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare lounge chair / flag halyard chair designed by Hans Wegner Produced by GETAMA in Denmark Metal, flagline, sheepskin, cushion 1960s Good vintage condition, with signs of usage...Category
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- Hans J. Wegner Papa Bear Chair, 1960sBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Stockholm, SENewly reupholstered in fabric "Mons" from Astrid Textiles. Very good condition. Produced by A.P. Stolen in Denmark.Category
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- Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair and OttomanBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAn original Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair and Ottoman. Original oiled finish to Teak "paws" and legs Original upholstery The lounge chair...Category
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- Hans J. Wegner AP19 Papa Bear Chair in Maharam Wool Boucle'By Hans J. WegnerLocated in Dallas, TXHans J. Wegner 1914-2007. "Papa Bear" chair, model AP19 produced for A.P Mobler. Designed in 1951. Upholstered with Maharam Wool Boucle'. Teak nails ("paws") and legs. We have extra ...Category
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