The CH20 Chair, commonly known as the Elbow Chair, perfectly embodies the principles of Scandinavian design. It is simple, attractive, functional and made from sustainable resources. Therefore, the Elbow Chair became the archetype of Nordic furniture.
Story
The chair was designed by Hans J. Wegner – a legendary figure of Danish modernism and a famous furniture designer who had a great passion for chairs; hence the nickname “the master of the chair”.
The first prototype of the armchair was presented in 1956. The chair’s minimalist appearance suggests that it’s relatively easy to manufacture, which is far from the truth. The Elbow Chair is further proof that Hans J. Wegner was way ahead of his time when it came to designing wooden furniture. The sophisticated design of the Elbow Chair made it impossible to produce more than one prototype with the technology available in the 1950s. The CH20 followed the same path as its younger brother, the CH07 Shell Chair, as almost half a century passed before it went into mass production. Furniture company Carl Hansen & Son breathed new life into Wegner’s creation and launched it in 2005.
design
The design of the Elbow Chair has been reduced to the essentials, making the shape of the chair look very minimalist and puristic. The main purpose of the elbow chair was to provide a comfortable place to sit while eating. The chair stands on four cylindrical wooden legs. The front legs are slightly tapered at the bottom and rounded at the top to avoid sharp corners. The rear legs, which also serve as attachments for a backrest, are tapered at both ends. The legs are spanned with curved wooden slats that form a square base of the chair with concave sides.
The base provides support for a curved seat shell that seems to float above the legs. It is made from 11-ply veneer laminate molded into the desired shape. A thin layer of cold foam on the top of the seat shell ensures a more comfortable sitting experience. The seat is upholstered in fabric or supple leather. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the Elbow Chair is its famous backrest. Steam bent from a solid piece of wood, it is given its signature rounded shape that protrudes enough to support the armrests (hence the chair’s name). Wegner’s intelligent design of the CH20 allows stacking of up to 4 chairs on top of each other, increasing the functionality of the chair. However, prolonged stacking can cause the pads to deform. For this reason it is not recommended.
The chair is available in various configurations of wood finishes and upholstery options.
