Story
AP Stolen was one of Denmark’s most essential upholstery-focused workshops, defining the highest standards of fully upholstered modern furniture throughout the mid-20th century. Founded by master upholsterer and furniture dealer Anker Petersen, the workshop combined deep material knowledge with practical craftsmanship, translating complex structural ideas into exceptionally comfortable and durable seating.
The period around 1950 marked a dramatic rise in Danish design culture. Architects, designers, and workshops collaborated closely, each contributing specialized expertise to shape furniture capable of competing on the international stage. Within this ecosystem, AP Stolen distinguished itself by mastering the unique skills required for full upholstery—a field separate from cabinetmaking and wood joinery.
When the Salesco export consortium was established in 1951, AP Stolen became responsible for manufacturing upholstered designs within Hans J. Wegner’s growing international catalog. Using layers of natural materials such as horsehair, flax fiber, and palm leaf, the workshop engineered internal structures that offered long-lasting comfort and resilience, setting new standards for Danish upholstered furniture.
The workshop’s capabilities were demonstrated most clearly in the 1951 Papa Bear Chair. Its complex structure—wooden frame, steel springs, heavy burlap, and sculpted padding—required perfect coordination of technique and material sensitivity. The signature wooden “paws” on the armrests revealed the workshop’s harmony of functionality and craftsmanship.
From the late 1950s through the 1960s, AP Stolen executed increasingly sculptural works such as the Ox Chair and Queen Chair. Their dramatic organic forms demanded extremely advanced upholstery skills, yet the workshop achieved seamless results, turning Wegner’s bold concepts into physical masterpieces.
Although its lifespan was short, AP Stolen defined the technical peak of Danish fully upholstered furniture. Its legacy continues today through PP Møbler, which revived key Wegner models using techniques directly inherited from AP Stolen’s original craftsmanship.
About
Year: 1950–1974
President: Anker Petersen
Designer: Hans J. Wegner
Place: Copenhagen
History
1950: Founded by Anker Petersen as a small upholstery workshop.
1951: Joins Salesco consortium with Carl Hansen & Søn, Andreas Tuck, GETAMA, and Ry Møbler; begins production of Wegner’s upholstered models including AP15, AP16, AP18S, and AP19 (Papa Bear Chair).
1952: Introduces Mini Bear Sofa AP20 and Mini Bear Chair AP20.
1953: Releases AP26; PP Møbler begins producing frames for AP19.
1954: Introduces Mama Bear Chair AP27 and Stool AP29.
1956: Releases Sofa AP33S.
1957: Introduces AP30, AP34 series, AP35, and Daybed AP36.
1958: Launches the Kastrup series (AP37–AP43).
1960: Introduces Wing Chair AP45, Ox Chair AP46, Queen Chair AP47, and Ox Ottoman AP49.
1962: Produces AP50–AP56 series including chairs and stools.
1963: Releases AP57–AP61 including combination sofas.
1965: Introduces AP62–AP65 including sofas and easy chairs; AP63 later produced as CH163.
1969: Wegner ends collaboration with Salesco; existing designs continue but no new ones are provided.
1970: AP Stolen declares bankruptcy and ceases production.
1974: Workshop officially closes; Petersen continues limited reupholstery work.
2003: PP Møbler fully revives the Papa Bear Chair using inherited upholstery techniques; later revives the Ox Chair, Queen Chair, and Mama Bear Chair.
Furniture
・Papa Bear Chair AP19
・Mini Bear Chair AP20
・Mama Bear Chair AP27
・Stool AP29
・Sofa AP33
・Piano Stool AP30
・Easy Chair AP34
・Daybed AP36
・Kastrup Chair AP37
・Kastrup Chair AP38
・Kastrup Lounge Chair AP39
・Kastrup Lounge Chair AP40
・Kastrup Stool AP41
・Wing Chair AP45
・Ox Chair AP46
・Queen Chair AP47
・Ox Ottoman AP49
・Arm Chair AP50
・Easy Chair AP52
・Easy Chair AP53
・Dining Chair AP56
・Arm Chair AP57
・Combination Sofa AP59
・Sofa AP60
・Sofa AP62
・Easy Chair AP64
・Sofa AP65
Imprint/Label
・Early 1950s pieces often lack stamps.
・Some items bear the stamp “Made in Denmark, Designer: Hans J. Wegner, A. P. Stolen, Copenhagen.”
・Certain models include the “Danish Furnituremakers’ Control” metal plate.