STORY // PRODUCT
CH07 Shell Chair
by Hans J. Wegner
for Carl Hansen & Søn
16
Designed in 1963 by the legendary Hans J. Wegner, the CH07 Shell Chair was a piece well ahead of its time, patiently waiting for the spotlight for decades. It is now considered an icon of modern furniture design.
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
Although the critics loved the groundbreaking CH07 and its fresh design, the Shell Chair was not particularly accepted by the public during the 1960s. The chair seemed to be too futuristic and avant-garde for popular taste at the time which resulted in a lack of approval and very few sales.
Due to these mixed reviews and limited manufacturing capabilities, the production of this chair was put on hold for quite some time. after a few decades, it was reintroduced by Carl Hansen & Søn in 1998, taking the public by storm and quickly becoming a star in the new and modern interior design movement.
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
© carl hansen & søn // hans j. wegner
The CH07 chair has a pleasing appeal; it has an inviting presence with a huge smile. Its floating lightness outlook is due to the extension of the seat creating two wings on both sides.
The curved backrest is connected to the seat by a frame which further bends to form the 3 legs of the chair. It is made from several layers of veneer laminated together creating a sturdy structure. The seat and backrest are also created from form-pressed veneer while featuring soft upholstery, covered with a wide range of finishes.
The Shell Chair is a clear manifestation of Wegner’s belief that a chair should always be comfortable, have no back side and should be beautiful from all sides and angles.
quote from carlhansen.com
© carl hansen & søn // jim thompson fabrics
© carl hansen & søn // jim thompson fabrics
© carl hansen & søn // jim thompson fabrics
© carl hansen & søn // jim thompson fabrics
© carl hansen & søn // jim thompson fabrics
In 2017, Carl Hansen & Søn partnered up with Jim Thompson Fabrics to introduce 4 new and vibrant models of CH07 Shell Chair: Red Coral, Blue Sapphire, Golden Citrine, and Green Jade. The collection was inspired by the strong colors of natural gemstones, opening the door to entirely new possibilities of presenting the Shell Chair in different settings.
CH24 Shell Chair
brand
designer
year
1963
type
Lounge Chair
collection
–
material
Oak or Walnut Wood // Leather or Fabric
dimension
92cm W // 83cm D // 74cm H
Shop the products.
proportion
For designing a piece that is “beautiful from all sides and angles.”