Carl Hansen brings back the classic CH30 chair

When it comes to designing chairs, Hans Wegner was in a league of his own. The Danish designer worked tirelessly to materialise his vision for the perfect chair. He mainly worked with wood, challenging the potential of the material with the ingenuity and respect of a true craftsman.

Although probably best known for the classic Wishbone chair, another fine example of Wegner’s sense of craftsmanship in this natural material is the CH30 dining chair, conceived by the master chair designer in 1954.

Put into production at Carl Hansen & Son, the chair was the result of a continuous study of form, which also resulted in several other chairs. Having been out of production for several decades, the CH30 chair is now being reintroduced and once again added to Carl Hansen & Son’s extensive collection of design classics.

Knud Erik Hansen, CEO of Carl Hansen & Son, explains: 'The CH30 design makes clear reference to Wegner’s CH23 chair from 1950 and his CH33 chair from 1957, which is evident in the sophisticated craftsmanship seen in the cruciform cover caps on the slightly arched backrest. With its balanced proportions and stringent design, the chair fits perfectly into both private homes and public spaces.'

In the CH30, Hans J. Wegner created a simple and stylish chair with excellent comfort, thanks to both the curved backrest and the oval seat – elements that made the chair popular when it was introduced in the mid-1950s.

The CH30 is designed without armrests, so it works perfectly around a table – it only takes up limited space and can be tucked under the table.

The oval backrest tilts slightly backwards to ensure ideal back support, the rear legs have an elegant, backward sloping shape which ensures optimal stability, and the relatively wide form- pressed seat is padded with foam, enhancing its comfort even further. So you can sit comfortably for a long time if your dinner parties and gatherings tend to go on into the night.

Knud Erik Hansen adds, 'We have recreated the CH30 chair according to Wegner’s original working drawing in close collaboration with Hans J. Wegner’s Design Studio, so that it may once again claim its well-deserved place in the Carl Hansen & Son collection of Wegner classics. As ergonomics were very important to Wegner, we have decided to adjust the height of the chair by two centimetres, as people are generally taller today than they were when the chair was introduced in 1954.'

The CH30 chair is available in oak and walnut in various finishes, with a padded seat upholstered in either leather or fabric, from approx £570.

Find more design classics here.