Danish modern chair became known as ‘The Chair’

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“The Chair,” a famous and comfortable chair, recently sold for $610. It is one of the 200 designs for chairs created by Hans Wegner of Denmark.

Danish modern chairs were offered in stores in the U.S. in the early 1950s. The Scandinavian designs were inspired by earlier furniture: the 18th-century English chair, a Chinese Ming dynasty chair, a Japanese director’s chair. Many of the modern chairs were made of hand-carved curved wooden pieces joined with dovetails to make a comfortable back, arms, seat and sides. Teak, oak, rosewood and light-colored woods were used with fabric, leather or caned seats.

Hans Wegner of Denmark created his most famous chair in 1949. It is now known as “The Chair.” It was made and sold by Hansen/Knoll company for many years. “The Chairs” were chosen for John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in the first-ever televised presidential debate in 1960. One of “The Chairs,” made in about 1969 and featuring a leather seat, the Knoll label and Hansen stamps, sold in 2016 for $610. Later versions of this iconic chair are available in shops and shows today.

Q: Should I loan a number of my antiques for a fundraising event? They want me to set up my exhibit and leave it for two weeks, but I am concerned about security and other problems. What should I worry about? None of the pieces are extremely valuable, but they are among my favorites, and some are family heirlooms.

A: There is always a risk when you exhibit your collection. The exhibit should be in a secure building with a 24-hour security guard or electronic system. Security usually is good during a show, but during setup and after show hours there are people who can get into the room. Before you pack, take pictures and list every item with your estimated value for insurance purposes. Never advertise the value of your collections.

Make sure there is a barrier between the exhibit and the public, perhaps shelves behind a large table, or a locked cabinet. Don’t exhibit posters or prints in a sunny window. Make sure the pieces are not remounted or altered. Decide before the show how the collection will be packed and returned.

A nonprofit show may be run by people with no idea of the cost of old things. We loan pieces to teach the public about the past and the joys of collecting, but we had a sundrenched poster fade to unreadable, a clever advertising sign stolen and a figurine come back missing a hand.

Current Prices

Shooting target, groundhog, paper, black-and-white print, sitting up on hind legs, Sold only by Sears, Roebuck & Co., 1950s, 6 x 9 inches, $10.

Cookie jar, ceramic, brown glaze, painted, rooster and chicken in barn yard, tapered cylinder, lid with shaped finial, 1930s, 12 inches, $610.

Locket, heart shape, blue enamel, guilloche rays, diamonds, 18-karat gold and silver, two compartments, gold frames, scrolls, 1800s, 3 x 3 inches, $4,575.

Tip: Porcelain and stoneware can be washed, but it is best to hand wash the pieces and not to use the dishwasher.

For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com

(c) 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.