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