Valet chair model 540

Designed by Hans J. Wegner

Denmark, 1953

The Valet Chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1953, is an innovative piece of functional furniture crafted from teak, oak, and brass. The chair’s design was born from a discussion Wegner had with architect Steen Eiler Rasmussen and designer Kay Bojesen about the practical challenge of managing clothes in the evening. Wegner’s solution was a chair with a unique integrated coat hanger and functional features tailored for convenience and organization. The backrest takes the form of a coat hanger, supported by vertical posts, offering an elegant solution for hanging jackets. When the seat is lifted, it reveals a specially designed space for trousers, ensuring they remain neatly pressed.

While the chair’s primary function was not for seating comfort, it excels as a sculptural and utilitarian object. Its combination of practicality and Nordic craftsmanship showcases Wegner's dedication to both form and function. The Valet Chair remains a timeless design that beautifully balances artistry and utility.

Stamped.

Exhibitions

The model was exhibited at the 'Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild', Kunstindustrimuseet, Copenhagen, 25 September-11 October 1953, stand 2, and 'Les Assises du Siège Contemporain', Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, 3 May-29 July 1968.

Literature

Johan Møller Nielsen, Wegner en Dansk Møbelkunstner, Copenhagen, 1965, pp. 56-58

Les Assises du Siège Contemporain, exh. cat., Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 1968, p. 117

Grete Jalk, ed., Dansk Møbelkunst gennem 40 aar, Volume 3: 1947-1956, Copenhagen, 1987, pp. 246-47

Christian Holmsted Olesen, just one good chair, exh. cat., Design Museum Denmark, Copenhagen, 2014, pp. 6, 65-66, 128