Histoire d'une icône: CH24 draws its new colors from Nordic nature

Ilse Crawford Soft Colors, the British designer's reinterpretation of the color palette of the CH24 Wishbone Chair, commemorates the 70th anniversary of the collaboration between Carl Hansen & Søn and designer Hans J. Wegner, who in 1949 designed the timeless chair that has been uninterruptedly produced by the Scandinavian brand ever since. With its distinctive design, the iconic CH24 Wishbone Chair holds a special place in the world of modern design: its simple and timeless charm lend it a universal appeal that fits into any setting.

Pewter, Hollyhock, Barley, Seaweed, Terracotta, Clay, North Sea, Slate and Falu, a particular dark red tip derived from copper from the eponymous mines and often used in Sweden to paint wooden houses. Nine intense and delicate colors that describe Nordic plants, minerals and landscapes with their raw, seductive beauty, inspired by the expressionist palette of Danish painter Per Kirkeby. Colors that convey emotions and express contemporaneity with their simple and distinctive features, capable of setting a natural and cozy atmosphere. Perfect on their own, they combine pleasantly with each other.

The new Terracotta color is inspired by the orange-brown bricks used in the city of Copenhagen.

Hans J. Wegner, the creative driving force of Danish modernism: one of the most innovative and prolific Scandinavian designers, he is often referred to as "the master of chairs". He designed almost 500 chairs, the most famous of which is without doubt the CH24. Drawing inspiration from the thrones of Chinese emperors, Wegner designed a series of chairs including, in 1949, the Wishbone Chair. The combination of solid wood and a hand-woven paper cord seat expresses Carl Hansen & Søn's focus on sophisticated craftsmanship and the use of high-end materials, which come together to tell a special story. The chair offers comfort and stability while fulfilling aesthetic pleasure with its elegant and distinctive curved line, thus capturing the essence of Danish design.

Hans J. Wegner decided to obtain the back and armrests from a single piece and, in order to provide stability to the steam-bent top and ensure comfortable support, he developed the characteristic Y-shaped back that the echoes the Wishbone, from which it takes its name. The bent Y-shaped back was striking and innovative, a comfortable and minimalist solution that contrasted with the rigid and heavy backs of dining chairs of the time.