Carl Hansen & Søn’s collection includes some of the most familiar forms in Danish furniture, but the chairs are not interchangeable. Each resolves comfort, structure and material in a different way. Understanding those differences is more useful than treating every design simply as an icon.
What is Carl Hansen & Søn?
Carl Hansen founded his furniture workshop in Odense in 1908. The company developed a model that combined cabinetmaking knowledge with small-series production, and remains a family-run Danish manufacturer.
Its defining partnership began in 1949, when Holger Hansen invited Hans J. Wegner to develop a group of chairs. Wegner designed the CH22, CH23, CH24 and CH25 during that collaboration. The company has since preserved work by designers including Wegner, Kaare Klint, Børge Mogensen, Ole Wanscher and Poul Kjærholm, alongside newer additions.
CH24 Wishbone Chair: the familiar dining chair
The CH24, commonly called the Wishbone Chair, is defined by its steam-bent top rail, Y-shaped back support and hand-woven seat. Its outline is light, but the curved rail gives useful support around the upper body.
It works well as an everyday dining chair where there is enough width for its arms. Check the arm height against the underside of the table: the sculptural back is part of its comfort and identity, but it will not tuck beneath every tabletop.
Material and finish make a considerable difference. Natural timber emphasises grain and changes over time, while painted versions give the form a more graphic quality. Paper cord should be used and maintained according to the manufacturer’s guidance.
CH23: a more compact Wegner dining chair
The CH23 was part of Wegner’s first group for Carl Hansen & Søn. It is an armless dining chair with a shaped timber back and woven seat, making it easier to place closely around a table than the CH24.
Its details reward a closer look, but its practical advantage is straightforward: supportive materials and a relatively quiet silhouette. It is a useful option where the CH24’s arms or width are less suitable.
CH20 Elbow Chair: curved support with an open back
Wegner designed the CH20 in 1956, although Carl Hansen & Søn did not put it into production until 2005. The low curved back doubles as an arm support and leaves the chair visually open beneath it.
The Elbow Chair can feel more compact in a room than a fully enclosed armchair, but its widest point and arm height still need to be checked against the table. The upholstered seat offers a different character from woven-cord dining chairs.
CH25: a lounge chair built around woven cord
The CH25 was another of the designs created during Wegner’s 1949 collaboration. Its broad seat and angled back place it firmly in the lounge category, while the extensive cord weaving gives the chair a distinctive combination of openness and material presence.
Allow enough floor space for the reclined frame and consider how it will be viewed from the side. It is a substantial craft-led piece, but the open construction prevents it from appearing solid.
CH07 Shell Chair: a low sculptural seat
Wegner designed the three-legged CH07 Shell Chair in 1963. Its curved veneer seat and back create a wide, low form that looks light from some angles and highly sculptural from others.
This is a chair for relaxed sitting rather than upright dining. Check its generous width and the space required around the sweeping legs. It works particularly well where it can be seen from several sides rather than pushed tightly into a corner.
How do you choose between the icons?
Begin with use. For dining, compare the CH24, CH23 and CH20 by table clearance, width and preferred seat material. For lounging, compare the CH25’s woven construction with the lower, more sculptural position of the CH07.
Then choose timber, finish, cord or upholstery. These are not minor decorative options: they affect care, feel and how strongly the chair sits within the room. Request samples where possible and expect natural materials to vary.
Why do authentic versions matter?
The proportions, joints, material selection and production knowledge are integral to these designs. An authorised version connects the designer’s original work with the manufacturer responsible for its continuing production and provides access to the correct specification and care information.
Choosing a Carl Hansen & Søn chair
Measure the intended position, consider how you sit and compare the specific finish as carefully as the model. A design becomes useful, rather than merely recognisable, when its dimensions and materials suit everyday life.
Explore Danish furniture made with close attention to form and craft. Browse Carl Hansen & Søn at kin., or contact us for help comparing models and finishes.
