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Roundup: Papa Bear Arm Chairs by Hans Wegner

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Also known as The Teddy Bear Chair, the iconic Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair is coveted by many of our readers (and editors) and frequently makes the list of favorite lounge chairs. We've seen them pop up in the newly refurnished Marden House by Frank Lloyd Wright and in A Modern Duplex in the West Village. We've compiled a list of Apartment Therapy links where you can see this amazing chair...


 
 

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Designed in 1951 by Hans J. Wegner, the Bear chair was originally sold by AP Stolen. The wooden frame was supplied by PP Mobler and they resumed production in 2001. (Does anyone know if they are still producing them?) We've seen originals on various auction and antique sites — but they never list the price. Sought after and highly collectible, we're certain these are out of our price range. We will have to enjoy pictures for now!

Even More Papa Bear Chair Links:

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best products, seating - sofas & armchairs, Hans Wegner

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Comments (10)

My mother-in-law had a Papa Bear chair and ottoman in her music parlor. It was green (original upholstery?) and as I remember very uncomfortable. We inherited it upon her death and passed it on to cousin who loves mid-century furniture and design. Looks like we could have sent our son to college with the proceeds of the auction of that chair...

posted by mrsegg on November 4th 2008 at 1:39pm
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The new ones go for about 12-14K. INSANE! But you can buy a vintage one for about 6K on ebay. Repholstery should cost you about 600. If you live in LA I suggest Denmark50 for this. They know how to properly do a Papa Bear Chair. You should be careful who you go to when you redo this. The upholstery is incredibly complex and needs someone who knows what he/she is doing.

The chair in the last couple of houses look like Modernica copies. They go for a lot cheaper, 2k. But the wingbacks don't come out to flair as much as the original and looks a lot boxier.

You should note that the older versions of this chair have thicker, shorter legs. Ie. the difference between the green and the orange leather one in the top picture.

posted by Comicgeek on November 4th 2008 at 1:42pm
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I inherited my Mom & Dad's black fabric Papa Bear chair and footstool. They got them when they were living in Germany many years ago. I had it re upholstered, and it is amazingly comfortable, but not for hours on end. The cushioning makes a big difference.

posted by ecomod on November 4th 2008 at 1:59pm
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While I love mid century design, this is one piece that I do not find attractive.

posted by Seaside on November 4th 2008 at 2:20pm
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i just bought a vintage papa bear and ottoman, after looking for a affordable one for 4 years. i got lucky... and am now looking for fabric for reupholstery.

i think they are the among the most comfortable chairs ever made....along with the wegner ox and wing, the saarinen womb, and the borsani L77/techno recliner.

list for new is $17,700 for chair and ottoman from scandinavia covered in kvadrat divina. vintage is $6000-9000 auction, $8000-14000 retail. modernica's version is $3500 but with little established resale value.

got mine for less than a modernica version, but it took 4 years of searching.

posted by healthyhome on November 4th 2008 at 9:55pm
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to me these just look like period chairs (the jetson's period)with last century's fabrics....

almost 18k for a new one?! do these 'investments' go up in value?

posted by khanzen on November 5th 2008 at 2:47am
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my husband dreams of getting one...

He sampled armchairs for years, and none felt right... then he came across a Papa Bear chair, and it was just right, just like in Goldilocks...

posted by mschatelaine on November 5th 2008 at 4:47am
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I used to want one of these, but now am on the hunt for the even rarer wegner MAma Bear chair. The lines are similar, but sleeker and less humorous/ goofy.

posted by DKinNY on November 5th 2008 at 10:57am
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I thought I wanted one of these until I saw the price tag!

posted by suzy8track on November 5th 2008 at 12:07pm
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To each his own.

posted by muirwoods08 on November 7th 2008 at 7:10pm
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