Hans Wegner, HEART

A very rare matching set by Hans Wegner, known as ‘HEART’ due to its heart-shaped design.

‘FH4602’ table and 6 ‘FH4103’ stackable chairs.

Produced by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1952. No longer in production.

Each piece bears the manufacturer’s stamp and the ‘Danish Furnituremakers Control’ mark.

The choice of wood species

The base is made of solid oak, whilst the seat and table top are made of teak-veneered plywood. This set was also produced in other wood species, for example entirely in oak. However, this two-wood version is particularly rare and sought-after. Furthermore, the teak is a special variety – curly teak – characterised by the presence of lines (curls) running perpendicular to the wood grain. Curly wood is technically considered a growth anomaly in the tree, but in practice it is regarded as a unique feature or an extremely sought-after aesthetic quality, rather than a defect.

Practical Design

In the post-war period, modern flats in Europe and Denmark became smaller. Wegner designed the FH4103 model as a space-saving solution:

*Three legs instead of four: This reduces both the visual and physical footprint.

*Stackable: The flared shape of the backrest allows the chairs to be easily stacked to free up space.

*The ‘Heart Group’ set: Designed to complement the round tripod table, the chairs slot completely underneath it. Once stowed away, the backrests form a seamless line around the table, taking up no extra space in the room.

A now-rare iconic status

Although acclaimed by critics for its ingenuity and included in the MoMA collection, its production was eventually discontinued by Fritz Hansen. Unlike the famous ‘The Chair’ (model JH503), first produced by master cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen and subsequently reissued continuously by Carl Hansen, the Heart chair has become a rare vintage piece highly sought after by collectors of mid-century design.

Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007)

The Danish designer behind 500 creations, including over 100 chairs that went into production!

As a trained joiner, Wegner knew everything there was to know about wood and was passionate about it. For him, choosing the right wood for the right project was therefore paramount. Indeed, the properties of a particular type of wood must be matched with certain designs and not others. This ensures the quality and longevity of the pieces.