Why We Love It
The sculptural form of the Heritage Chair is not just for you to admire, but also to get comfortable in. Its winged back keeps you cosy, while the soft curves are both inviting and graceful. Today, the seat is built with a solid beechwood frame and, thanks to its clean lines and fluidity of design, this 1930s’ release could very well fit into a contemporary home. According to manufacturer Carl Hansen & Son, it takes a skilled upholsterer more than 10 hours to stitch and fit the chair, and ensure the curves are just right.
Who Designed It
Frits Henningsen was a Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer. After travelling around Europe in 1911, he returned to Copenhagen to set up his own store. Influenced by his experiences abroad, he incorporated hints of 17th-century British, Rococo, and French Empire furniture styles in his work. Many designers and furniture companies were proud to form a partnership with Frits, including Carl Hansen & Son. Other famous designs by the craftsman include the Windsor Chair, created in the 1940s.
What It Inspired
Frits produced several wing chairs in his career, and we see similar elements of the Heritage Chair in his later designs. The Rocking Chair in 1935, for instance, is a shorter and more sinewy version, while the Easy Chair (1935) has a taller back and is less curvaceous. In the 1940s, Frits upped the ante with a modern design – the Unusual Wingback Chair was a large piece, with sweeping arms and curved headrests.
THE HERITAGE CHAIR BY CARL HANSEN & SON IS AVAILABLE AT SPACE.