CH25 Lounge chair – Oiled oak / Natural cord - Carl Hansen & Søn

Design

The CH25 is a lounge chair with clean lines and a light but sturdy structure. It is distinguished by its backrest and seat, which are made entirely of braided paper cord, a technique that showcases craftsmanship while offering surprising comfort.

Materials

The structure is made of solid wood, often oak or walnut, with an oiled or soapy finish that emphasises the natural beauty of the material. The paper cord weave, a durable and environmentally friendly material, is hand-made and requires about 10 hours of work per chair, using nearly 400 metres of cord.

Comfort and ergonomicsComfort and ergonomics

Despite its minimalist appearance, the CH25 is designed for maximum comfort. The angle of the backrest and the flexibility of the rope seat allow for optimal relaxation.Despite its minimalist appearance, the CH25 is designed for maximum comfort. The angle of the backrest and the flexibility of the rope seat allow for optimal relaxation.

Historical context

Hans Wegner, often dubbed the ‘master of the chair’, designed the CH25 at the beginning of his collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn, a company founded in 1908 and renowned for its commitment to Danish craftsmanship. First presented in 1950, the chair was an instant hit thanks to its timeless aesthetic and innovative construction. At a time when modernism dominated, Wegner was able to incorporate warm, organic elements, making the CH25 an instant classic.

Heritage

Today, the CH25 is still in production at Carl Hansen & Søn, true to Wegner's original design. It is prized by design enthusiasts for its durability and timeless look. Each piece is still handmade in Denmark, perpetuating the craftsmanship tradition that has made this collaboration famous.

Hans J. Wegner

A prolific furniture designer, Hans Wegner is one of the founding fathers of Scandinavian design. Born in 1914 in Tønder, Denmark, the son of a shoemaker, he completed his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker at the age of 17 with H.F. Stahlberg, under whose guidance he had his first formal experiences with wood, before leaving for Copenhagen at the age of 20 to attend the School of Arts and Crafts from 1936 to 1938, which enabled him to set up as an architect.

It was as an architect that the young Hans J. Wegner joined Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller in Århus. With them, he worked on the design of furniture for the reception hall of the new Århus town hall in 1940. In the same year, Wegner began to collaborate with the master cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen, whose technique played a considerable role in the development of Danish furniture.

Hans J. Wegner created his own design office in 1943. In 1944, he designed his first “Chinese chair” inspired by portraits of Danish merchants seated in Ming chairs. One of these chairs, nicknamed the “Wishbone Chair” (CH24), designed in 1949, was so successful that it has been manufactured continuously since 1950 by Carl Hansen & Son in Odense.

Hans J. Wegner is considered one of the most creative and productive Danish furniture designers. He has been awarded almost every design prize in existence, such as the Lunning Prize, the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale, the Prince Eugen Medal in Sweden and the Danish Eckersberg Medal. Many of the world's great museums pay tribute to him, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Die Neue Sammlung in Munich, by displaying his furniture in their permanent collections.

 Hans J. Wegner died in Denmark in January 2007.