Hans Wegner's Papa Bear Chair

In the classic children's fairy tale The Three Bears, Papa Bear's chair is too hard for Goldilocks, who prefers Baby Bear's seat. In real life, the Papa Bear chair created by Danish furniture designer Hans Wegner is just right. According to the Wall Street Journal, the chair's paw-like armrests are the source of its unusual name. Fashion designer Elie Tahari is a fan of the Papa Bear. He is the owner of an original in black leather (pictured below) and four reproductions, which reside in his design center and the Elie Tahari departments of Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. The article Seat of Power, Style, which appeared in the October 17, 2012 edition of the Wall Street Journal, describes Mr. Tahari's attraction to " 'the look and structure of [the Papa Bear]. . . . ' I'm not a maven of history or art. I just go by feel. . . . You feel like it's hugging you. You feel like you're protected. It feels good. ' "   

"Fashion designer Elie Tahari in his Hans J. Wegner chair at his Manhattan apartment."

Photo credit: Brian Harkin for the Wall Street Journal.

"Seat of Power, Style" by Ray A. Smith.

Wall Street Journal (October 17, 2012).

Another view of the black leather Hans Wegner chair owned by Elie Tahari.
The fashion designer paid between $8,000 and $12,000 for this Papa Bear.

"Seat of Power, Style" by Ray A. Smith.

Photo credit: Brian Harkin for the Wall Street Journal.

Wall Street Journal (October 17, 2012).

The Thomas Hayes Gallery offers this Papa Bear chair and ottoman 

for $12,500 via 1stdibs.

Photo credit: Thomas Hayes Gallery/1stdibs.

"This chair has been professionally reupholstered by an expert who knows how to preserve the lumbar support of these chairs. It is a very comfortable chair. The upholstery is a soft supple brick colored leather with a matte finish. The wood details on the chair have been cleaned and waxed. . . . they have a very dark color illustrative of teak wood that has naturally aged."

Another view of the Hans Wegner Papa Bear chair 

offered by Thomas Hayes Gallery via 1stdibs.

1960s Denmark.

Photo Credit: Thomas Hayes Gallery/1stdibs.

1902 Manhattan townhouse.

"A pair of Hans Wegner's Papa Bear chairs and a 

circa-1938 Mogens Koch desk in the library."
Design by architects Lee Mindel and Peter Shelton (deceased) 

of Shelton, Mindel and Associates.

Text by Dan Shaw.

Photography by William Waldron.

"A Call to Order" produced by Anita Sarsidi.

Elle Decor (December 2006).

Another view of the library with the pair of Hans Wegner Papa Bear chairs.

Lee Mindel and Peter Shelton combined midcentury design with classic architecture in this 1902 Manhattan home, and the results are so elegant, clean and beautiful. I look at the photos of this townhouse again and again. 

Design by architects Lee Mindel and Peter Shelton (deceased) 

of Shelton, Mindel and Associates.

Text by Dan Shaw.

Photography by William Waldron.

"A Call to Order" produced by Anita Sarsidi.

Elle Decor (December 2006).

"In the library, an Arne Vodder chaise longue, a Hans Wegner [Papa Bear] armchair upholstered in a Rogers and Goffigon fabric, and a custom-made plaid rug; the fireplace surround and sliding panel are of blackened metal, and the television is by Samsung."

Manhattan loft of Winsome Brown and Claude Arpels.

Design by architect Lee Mindel of Shelton, Mindel and Associates.

Photography by William Abranowicz.

Text by Kate Betts.

"True Colors" produced by Anita Sarsidi.

Elle Decor (June 2011). 

"The pair of midcentury Hans Wegner Papa Bear armchairs flanking a 1940s French table in the master bedroom 'are iconic,' says [David] Kleinberg. 'People are drawn to them - they're enveloping and welcoming. I can just see this couple sitting there at the end of the day with a glass of wine and a big fire going.' "

1920s house in Long Island, New York.

Interior design by David Kleinberg.

Photography by Christopher Baker.

"An American Classic in Long Island" by Lisa Cregan.

House Beautiful (April 2008). 

"The dark geometry of the Albers bed from Jed Johnson Home helps balance all the soft lavenders and greens. Curtain, shade, and pillow fabric by Brochier. Bed linens by Calvin Klein. Hans Wegner's Papa Bear chair reproduced by Manzanares."

Interior design by Heather Moore for Jed Johnson Associates.

"House Beautiful's Designer Visions: Cinema Style showcase was inspired by Factory Girl, the film based on '60s It Girl and Andy Warhol superstar Edie Sedgwick.

Location: The new luxury condominium at 1212 Fifth Avenue in New York City, renovated by Durst Fetner Residential and designed by S. Russell Groves."

Photography by Thomas Loof.

Interview by Christine Pittel.

Project directed by Alana Frumkes.

"Sexy in the City" produced by Sabine Rothman.

House Beautiful (November 2011).