Some chairs are so familiar that people know the shape before they know the name. The Wishbone Chair is one of them. Its curved top rail, Y shaped back and woven seat appear in restaurants, cafes and homes all over the world, and it is often the first chair people picture when they hear the words Danish design.
This guide explains where the Wishbone Chair came from, how it is made and what to consider if you are thinking about buying one.
A first commission that became an icon
The Wishbone Chair, officially the CH24, was designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949. According to Carl Hansen & Søn, it was the very first model Wegner designed exclusively for the company, and it has been in continuous production there since its introduction in 1950.
The partnership itself has a good story. The company says Holger Hansen, son of founder Carl Hansen, kept a close eye on the young designer throughout the 1940s, knowing a collaboration could help the business grow. Wegner agreed in 1949 and started work immediately. In his first three weeks he crafted four test chairs with the company's cabinetmakers: the CH22, CH23, CH24 and CH25. All four share the same design thinking, but the CH24 became the most popular by far.
The inspiration goes back a few years. Between 1943 and 1945 Wegner designed a series of chairs inspired by the thrones of Chinese emperors. Carl Hansen & Søn describes the 1949 CH24 as the most refined example of that idea.
Who was Hans J. Wegner
Hans J. Wegner lived from 1914 to 2007. Carl Hansen & Søn calls him one of the most creative, innovative and prolific designers of all time, and notes that he designed nearly 500 chairs and was often called the master of the chair.
Above all, Wegner was a cabinetmaker first and a designer second. That background shows in the Wishbone Chair. He designed it to rely entirely on traditional joinery, with mortise and tenon joints that are glued and assembled by hand, and he had a deep respect for wood and its character.
The design, piece by piece
The genius of the CH24 is how it solves a problem simply. Wegner chose to combine the backrest and armrests into a single steam bent top rail that wraps around the sitter. To give that curve stability and support the back, he added the Y shaped piece that gives the chair its nickname.
- Top rail: one steam bent piece that forms both the back and the arms.
- Wishbone back: the defining Y shape, made from four pieces that combine into one.
- Back legs: they curve and taper upward to meet the top rail.
- Seat: hand woven paper cord in an envelope pattern.
The result is a dining chair that feels open and light, the opposite of the heavy, rigid backrests of traditional dining chairs. It is comfortable without being bulky, and it looks good from every angle, which is why it works so well around a table where people see the backs of the chairs.
How a Wishbone Chair is made
The company's behind the scenes story explains why this chair has such a strong reputation for craft.
- Each chair takes more than 100 steps, most of them carried out by hand.
- Fourteen individual components are cut from seasoned heartwood, then shaped, turned and sanded.
- The joints are traditional mortise and tenon, glued and assembled by hand.
- The frame is finished with oil, soap, lacquer or paint.
- The seat is woven by hand, just as it was in 1950. It takes about an hour and uses around 120 meters of certified paper cord.
The paper cord is stronger than it sounds. Carl Hansen & Søn highlights its durability and stability as a big part of why the chair is so long lasting.
How to choose a Wishbone Chair
The company lists around 40 variants of the CH24, so there are a few decisions to make.
Wood: oak and beech are the most common, both offered as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Mix certified wood. Walnut is a darker, richer option.
Finish: soap gives oak a pale, matte, Scandinavian look. Oil brings out the grain and warms the tone. Lacquer adds protection for busy homes, and painted versions come in black and a range of soft colors.
Cord: natural paper cord is the classic light option. Black cord pairs well with painted or darker frames.
Variations: the family has grown over the years, including upholstered versions like the ones shown above, a softer collaboration edition and a children's Wishbone Chair. If you want something easier to wipe clean, an upholstered seat is worth a look.
A practical tip: the Wishbone is a dining and desk chair, not a lounge chair. Check your table height and how many chairs fit along each side, since the wraparound arms take a little more room than an armless chair.
Care basics
Follow the finish specific maintenance guidance from the maker. Soaped and oiled frames benefit from occasional refreshing, which keeps the wood looking even. Keep the chair away from direct heat, and brush or vacuum the cord seat to keep it clean.
Why it endures
The Wishbone Chair has stayed in production for more than seven decades because it gets the basics right. It is comfortable, sturdy, beautiful and made with care. It also fits almost any interior, from a farmhouse kitchen to a minimal apartment, which is a rare quality for any design.
For more classic furniture, read our Scandinavian design explainer, our Eames Lounge Chair guide and our GUBI M Chair story. For more, visit our design and art hub.
