Hans J. Wegner designed the CH24 Wishbone Chair for Carl Hansen & Søn in 1949, and it has remained in production since 1950. Its light appearance, continuous back and arm rail and woven seat make it distinctive, but the choice between timber, finish and cord still deserves care.
Why is it called the Wishbone Chair?
The name comes from the Y-shaped support in the back. Wegner combined the backrest and arms into a continuous steam-bent top rail, using the central support for stability and a recognisable silhouette.
Is the CH24 comfortable?
The curved rail supports the arms and back, while the woven seat has a degree of give. Comfort remains personal: check the seat height, open sides and back position against how long you expect to sit and who will use it.
The rail is broad enough to affect how the chair is approached and how close it can sit beside another. Spend time in the chair rather than judging the first few seconds; note whether the rail meets the back comfortably and whether the seat height works for standing up.
Will it fit beneath a dining table?
The CH24 is an armchair, so compare its highest arm or back rail with the lowest part of the table. It may not tuck fully beneath every apron. Also allow for the chair’s full width around neighbouring place settings.
Measure the space between table legs as well as the top. If the chairs remain partly outside the table, include that depth in the room’s circulation. Around a compact table, using fewer chairs comfortably is preferable to forcing the nominal capacity.
Which timber should you choose?
Current options can include beech, oak, ash and walnut, depending on market and finish. Each has a different grain, colour and price. Natural variation should be expected, particularly across a set.
Compare the timber with the table and floor in the room’s own light. It need not match, but the contrast should feel intentional. When buying several chairs, placing the order together gives the maker and retailer the clearest opportunity to supply a coherent set within natural variation.
How do soap, oil, lacquer and paint differ?
Finishes affect colour, touch, maintenance and how the timber changes with use. Follow Carl Hansen & Søn’s specific care instructions and choose according to the maintenance you are prepared to undertake rather than appearance alone.
Ask how the finish should be cleaned from the first day and whether periodic treatment is expected. Do not add oil, soap or polish because it sounds suitable for timber; the wrong treatment can alter the surface and complicate future care.
Natural or black paper cord?
Cord colour changes the chair’s contrast and overall expression. The seat is hand woven, and the material should be kept and cleaned as the manufacturer directs. Avoid treating it with general upholstery or household cleaners.
Consider the seat against clothing, spills and direct light in the intended room. The woven surface is integral to the chair rather than a removable pad, so its normal ageing and care should be accepted as part of the purchase.
How is the CH24 made?
Carl Hansen & Søn states that more than 100 production steps are involved, with much of the work completed by hand. The woven seat uses approximately 120 metres of paper cord and takes a skilled craftsperson around an hour.
Choosing your CH24
Check table clearance and comfort first, then compare timber, finish and cord in the light of the room. Record the complete variant when ordering several chairs.
Choose a Wishbone Chair for your table and home. Compare it within our dining chair collection, or contact us for samples and current Carl Hansen & Søn variants.
