Hans J. Wegner

executed by Johannes Hansen
oak, wool and leather upholstery

Private collection, Sweden
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Grete Jalk, ed., 40 Years of Danish Furniture Design, vol. 3: 1947-1956, Copenhagen, 1987, pp. 244-245, 324-325
Noritsugu Oda, Danish Chairs, San Francisco, 1999, p. 106
Christian Holmsted Olesen, Wegner: just one good chair, exh. cat., Ostfildern, 2014, p. 107

Overall very good condition consistent with age and gentle use. Leather is of the period and original, presenting with a few, faint spotty stains, particularly at the right facing arm. The wool upholstery is in new, clean condition. Wooden feet with minor scuffs and nicks.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The JH521 Easy Chair wonderfully demonstrates Hans Wegner's selection and evolution of a motif throughout his career, in this case, the designer's progression and variation on the theme of an English Windsor chair.  Characterised by four outwardly splayed feet and turned wedges supporting the back, Wegner's 'Peacock' chair of 1947 (lot 115) is a modernised and more dynamic adaptation of this form.  Named by fellow designer, Finn Juhl, the 'Peacock' chair is characterised by clean lines of the back wedges, flatted at the shoulder blades, and subsequently illustrating a splayed 'peacock' form.  The offered JH521 chair is an additional modulation on the 'Windsor'/'Peacock' chair form, as the wedges have been replaced by an over stuffed, fully upholstered back.  This pleasingly ergonomic feature is complimented by turned, splayed feet, ultimately creating a highly dynamic form, further accented by the sumptuous high-quality original leather accents.

Approximately 10 examples of the model are known to exist, which was exhibited at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition in 1953 and 1955.