Story
Johannes Hansen was a furniture workshop founded in the 1940s by master craftsman Johannes Hansen, a figure regarded as indispensable to the development of mid-20th-century Danish furniture design. Throughout the decades from the 1940s to the 1990s, the workshop produced finely crafted furniture—most notably the works of Hans J. Wegner—while embodying the spirit of Danish craftsmanship at its highest level. Hansen’s pursuit of techniques that highlighted the inherent beauty of wood positioned his workshop as a benchmark for quality and artisanal integrity.
As one of the founders of the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild, Hansen played a crucial role in establishing the annual exhibitions that became a meeting point for traditional craftsmanship and pioneering design. His lifelong participation in these exhibitions reflects both his dedication to the field and his unwavering commitment to excellence. The workshop deliberately avoided mass production, instead upholding meticulous attention to detail. Furniture produced by Johannes Hansen is unified by refined lines, organic forms, and a deep respect for materials—resulting in pieces that represent a seamless fusion of function, beauty, and craftsmanship.
A defining chapter in the workshop’s history is the long-standing collaboration with Hans J. Wegner. After their first meeting in 1940, they began exhibiting jointly at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild show the following year, eventually sustaining a 26-year partnership. In Denmark at the time, collaboration between designer and craftsman was essential, and Hansen stood at the pinnacle of the craft, capable of realizing Wegner’s groundbreaking concepts with unparalleled precision. Although Hansen was more than 26 years older than Wegner—suggesting an early mentor–apprentice dynamic—the relationship evolved into an equal and creatively synergistic partnership. The works that emerged from this collaboration would go on to shape international perceptions of Danish Modern design.
Among these pieces, “The Chair” became especially renowned after its use in the 1960 televised U.S. presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The chair’s appearance on the world stage transformed it into an icon of Danish Modernism. After Hansen passed away in 1961, the workshop was inherited by his youngest son, Poul Hansen, who continued the collaboration with Wegner. However, the dissolution of the Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition in 1966 weakened this relationship, and the workshop struggled to adapt to the wider industry shift toward mechanized and cost-efficient furniture production. By the early 1990s, the workshop closed, marking the end of an era in Danish furniture history. The manufacturing license for Wegner’s designs formerly produced by Johannes Hansen was transferred to PP Møbler, where production continues today.
The craftsmanship and dedication of Johannes Hansen were essential to elevating Wegner’s innovative concepts into enduring, globally recognized works. The high prices achieved by Hansen-made pieces at today’s auctions testify to their exceptional quality. Hansen’s approach was never merely about manufacturing; it was about raising furniture to the level of art. The workshop’s mastery of materials and joinery, combined with Wegner’s design vision, produced works that were aesthetically compelling, structurally rigorous, and foundational to the timeless appeal of Danish Modern. The history of the Johannes Hansen workshop stands as a symbol of the creative power that emerges when design and craftsmanship meet—embodying the soul of Danish Modernism.
About
Year: 1930s–1990s
President: Johannes Hansen, Poul Hansen
Designer: Hans J. Wegner and others
Place: Copenhagen, Denmark
History
1927: Participates in founding the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition; later becomes its chairman.
1930: Establishes the Johannes Hansen workshop in Copenhagen.
1940: Begins collaboration with Hans J. Wegner.
1941: First joint pieces exhibited at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild show.
1944: Produces the Fish Cabinet, realizing Wegner’s experimental concepts.
1947: Introduces the Peacock Chair JH-550.
1949: Introduces the Folding Chair JH-512.
1949: Introduces The Chair JH-501 (cane seat).
1950: Introduces The Chair JH-503 (leather seat).
1952: Introduces the Cow Horn Chair JH-505.
1953: Introduces the Valet Chair JH-540.
1955: Produces dining chairs such as JH-510.
1956: Introduces the Shell Chair JH-702.
1960: “The Chair” gains international fame after being used in the Kennedy–Nixon televised debate.
1961: Johannes Hansen passes away; the workshop is succeeded by his son Poul Hansen.
1961: Introduces the Bull Chair JH-518.
1965: Metal plates with telephone numbers added to workshop labels.
1966: Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition closes; focus shifts to international exhibitions.
1970: Continues production of Wegner’s designs, securing international recognition.
1975: Expands lounge chair production including JH-701.
1980: Major works enter museum collections.
1985: Workshop scales down and shifts focus to export markets.
1990s: Workshop closes; manufacturing licenses for Wegner designs transfer to PP Møbler.
Furniture
・Peacock Chair JH-550
・Folding Chair JH-512
・The Chair JH-501
・The Chair JH-503
・Cow Horn Chair JH-505
・Valet Chair JH-540
・Bull Chair JH-518
・Shell Chair JH-702
・Dining Chair JH-510
・Armchair JH-513
・Lounge Chair JH-701
・Bench JH-570
・Side Table JH-570A
・Sofa JH-801
・Fish Cabinet
Imprint/Label
・1950s: Branded or stamped marks reading “JOHANNES HANSEN COPENHAGEN DENMARK.”
・1950s: Paper and foil labels also used depending on the model.
・Late 1950s–1960s: Early metal plates introduced, seen on models such as JH-513.
・Around 1965: Transition to rectangular metal plates including telephone numbers.
・Specifications vary by model; for example, the JH-503 typically lacks a plate, while the JH-513 often lacks a burn mark.