On Tuesday June 26th 2018, The Brazilian vs American vs Scandinavian Design sale at the Patinoire Royale of Bruxelles is the occasion for PIASA to end this season by exploring creation centres of Design with its greatest names. Scandinavian design will be, amongst others, represented by Hans J. Wegner, whose work embody excellency and values of Danish creation.
Hans J. Wegner is a craftsman's son and starts handling his father’s tools at an early age. He also discovers woodworking around the same time. Aged 14, he trains himself as a woodworker and complete his education by registering to the Danish Technological institute. He reinforces his education with a degree in design at the Copenhagen School of Arts and Crafts. He joins afterwards Arne Jacobsen’s agency as an architect assistant.
Lot 62 - Hans J. Wegner (1914-2007)
CH 22, paire de fauteuils
Sold 12 304 €
He creates his own design agency in 1943, but will never stop during his whole career to work with other designers and architects such as Borge Mogensen or Palle Suenson. As the first award winner of the Lunning Prize in 1951, he is designated honorary member of the Royal College of Art and receives the 8th International Design Award in 1997. As he conceived more than 500 types of chairs, Hans J. Wegner is amongst the most prolific scandinavian designers and he is considered to be one of the founding fathers of Scandinavian Design.
Always searching for the perfect chair, Hans J. Wegner’s perfectionism is shown not only through the quantity of the seat types he conceived during his career but also through their quality. Several iconic pieces will be presented during the Brazilian vs American vs Scandinavian Design auction. Let us think here of lot 134 regrouping twelve chairs known as “The Chair” design. This series conceived in 1949 shows a wood uncluttered structure with a rope or leather or paper seat. This creation is all at once aesthetical and comfortable and its complexity shows Hans J. Wegner’s consciousness regarding the design of his creations.
Lot 134 - Hans J.Wegner (1914-2007)
Ensemble de douze chaises
Sold 32 381 €
This chair design is edited by Johannes Hansen and becomes internationally known when presidential candidate J.F.Kennedy picks it for his first debate on television against opponent Richard Nixon. The excellence of Scandinavian design is again under the spotlight and increases its popularity.
Indeed, this design mirrors numerous principles defended by Scandinavian design : creation of functional and aesthetical furniture with refined features. Associated with the softness of the wood, organical and minimalistic pieces are shaped.
Hans Wegner (1914-2007)
Model AT-318, table de salle à manger
Hans J. Wegner’s pieces embody modern furniture and Scandinavian design icons that have become inevitable in the history of design.
