Celebrating 60 years of the iconic CH07 ‘Shell’ chair

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Over the course of his decades-long career, legendary Danish modernist Hans J. Wegner created some of the most recognisable and loved pieces of 20th-century Scandinavian furniture, among them the ‘Wishbone’ chair, the CH25 lounge chair and the ‘Wing’ chair. And today, I’m sharing a look at a limited-edition rosewood and oak version of one of them, the CH07 ‘Shell’ chair, which has just been released by Carl Hansen & Søn to mark the design’s 60th anniversary.

The CH07 is a chair with quite a history. Its roots actually date back to 1948, when Wegner began experimenting with the then-new process of forming laminated wood, eventually creating a prototype made from bent plywood and supported by a three-legged base. Some 15 years later he revived the design and transformed it into the ‘Shell’ chair that we know today, unveiling it at the Cabinetmakers’ Autumn Exhibition on 20th September 1963. It was reviewed positively by critics but sadly its futuristic shape proved too avant-garde for the general public, and only a few were made.

It wasn’t until 1998, when Carl Hansen & Søn decided to bring the CH07 ‘Shell’ chair back to life, that it finally gained the popularity it deserved. In production continuously since then, it’s now regarded as an icon of Danish design, appearing in interiors the world over, and comes in a choice of woods, with or without upholstery in leather or cowhide.

What makes the ‘Shell’ chair special are its beautiful curves, with a wing-like seat, arched legs and a gently cocooning backrest that cradles the body. It’s made from layers of form-pressed veneer which create a wonderful striped effect on the sides, and its low centre of gravity means it’s remarkably stable, despite sitting on only three legs. It looks stunning from all angles and embodies Wegner’s belief that chairs should be as comfortable to use as they are beautiful to look at.

The anniversary edition of the CH07 gives the design a new twist by offsetting the rich colour of FSC-certified Santos rosewood with an oak frame. I always love mixing different woods to add interest, depth and contrast to a space, and this is a particularly striking pairing. Here, I’ve styled it in my cosy reading corner in our main bedroom, which combines pale oak furniture with walnut and black accents, but it would sit just as beautifully in interior schemes that are predominantly lighter- or darker-hued.

The CH07 anniversary edition comes with an engraved brass plaque on the rear, and there’s also optional seat upholstery in matt black aniline leather sourced from organically raised Danish cattle. But what I love most about it is the distinctive grain of the rosewood. The unique patterns mean no two chairs are the same, with streaks, waves and peaks that vary in colour from reddish-brown to almost black.

It all makes for a dramatic reimagining of a classic, without detracting from the lightweight and sculptural silhouette of Wegner’s original design. It’s also testament to the enduring versatility of the CH07 ‘Shell’ chair, which I’m sure is set to stay in production for many more decades to come. I wonder what the 70th, 80th, 90th and even 100th anniversary editions will look like…?

The limited-edition rosewood and oak CH07 ‘Shell’ chair is available to order until 31st December 2023, with prices starting at £3,015 / €3,650. You can find details of Carl Hansen & Søn flagship stores and stockists worldwide here.

All photography by Abi Dare