An upholsterer's perspective
Our upholstery workshop in Svendborg, Denmark, represents a combined body of upholstery knowledge unapparelled in Scandinavia, where we keep our traditions alive and apply our internal wealth of knowledge. Here, Hans J. Wegner's Ox Chair is upholstered by our skilled craftspeople.
The process of upholstering the Ox Chair remains a very hand-crafted technique and is a demanding task. The sculpted lines and organic curves require unique expert craftsmanship skills and a certain amount of physical strength. Due to its complexity, training a new upholsterer for this chair takes 1.5 years. When trained, it takes an entire day and a half to handcraft a single Ox Chair.
Our upholsterer, Erik Wichmann, brought his unique skills from Erik Jørgensen to Fredericia and has spent years of his professional life creating many of the complex Ox Chairs that adorn homes worldwide. Here, he discusses his craft and what it takes to create a chair like this.
“ Upholstering begins with raw materials that, at first glance, seem insignificant. Yet, through a process likened to a battle, one ultimately arrives at a finished product. This transformation from nothing to something is what I find so appealing about the craft. ”
Erik Wichmann, Fredericia upholsterer
Handcrafted excellence
Attention to detail is paramount in upholstering. The craft involves standing, breathing correctly, and employing precise movements to pull and push materials. Every seemingly negligible touch matters, and there’s a reason for each step.
Here, we highlight the steps that follow the handcrafted excellence that goes into Hans J. Wegner's Ox Chair.
MOVEMENT
The craft involves standing, breathing correctly, and employing precise movements to pull and push materials. There's a reason for each step.
FEELING
When we upholster, we constantely listen, look, and feel. Although we often work on the same types of furniture, every piece of fabric and leather os unique.
MUSCLES
The physical demands of the job are considerable. Rather than relying solely on our hands, we've learned to use our body weight to push and pull.
SIGNATURE
Each piece carries the signature of its maker. By simply toching a piece, we can often tell who upholstered it.
LISTENING
I have a specific delicate spot between the seat and the arm where I put my ear to listen the most. Listening to the leather is part of the process.
COLLABORATING
Upholstering is a collaborative effort. Our shared knowledge, is handed down thorugh the decades, ensuring that our work maintains a unified quality.
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Strikingly and bold
When The Ox Chair was first introduced in 1960, it presented a strikingly bold and confident design, standing in contrast to the understated approach of Scandinavian furniture.
Referencing ox horns, a voluminous body, and a delicate frame, the sculptural chair exemplifies Wegner’s profoundly organic and artistic approach to furniture design, expressing his ambition to redefine traditional norms. Within Wegner’s extensive portfolio, the iconic Ox Chair is hailed as one of his ultimate masterpieces.
With its distinctive contours, refined craftsmanship and ground-breaking complex upholstery, The Ox Chair is arguably Wegner’s most remarkable design. It is daring and creative while also serving as an analysis of body postures, inviting various seating options. Wegner furnished his own living room with The Ox Chair, considering it a personal favourite.
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