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The Mama Bear Chair Makes a Welcoming Comeback

A master of chair design, Hans J. Wegner created up to 500 of them during his long career. Carl Hansen & Son has produced Wegner’s furniture for the past 70 years, and now they’re adding the elegant CH78 lounge chair – Mama Bear – to their exclusive collection. First displayed in 1954, the chair is a fine example of Wegner’s talent for creating inviting seats that draw people in through their aesthetics and functionality.

Mama Bear is a light lounge chair with an organic shape and solid upholstered frame. Its angled legs give a relaxed yet stable look, while the upwards-angled armrests add a dynamic and inviting element. The curved backrest, reminiscent of a wingback, and the loosely suspended neck pillow only add to its welcoming design.

“The CH78 lounge chair’s characteristic expression and lightness fits perfectly into a modern context… It’s furthermore a natural next step after having introduced Hans J. Wegner’s CH71 lounge chair and CH72 sofa from 1952 back in 2018. Like both of those pieces, CH78 is the embodiment of comfort in a limited space,” said Knud Erik Hansen, CEO of Carl Hansen & Son.

CH78 was created in close collaboration with Hans J. Wegner’s daughters, who manage their father’s legacy through the company Hans J. Wegner’s Design Studio.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.