A Guide to Danish Papercord
WHAT IS PAPERCORD
Papercord is a traditional material made from paper that is used to braid seats, gaining popularity in the 1940’s. It is most famously used in Hans J Wegnerâ’s iconic CH24 Wishbone Chair. Other notable designers such as Finn Juhl, Kaare Klint, Poul Kjaerholm are also renowned for using this material. Papercord is generally treated with a light wax coating, making it resistant to grease and discoloration.
A BENEFITS OF PAPERCORD
Papercord originally became popular due to its durability, and the fact that it is a natural material works well with the wood of the chair. It gained popularity during World War II, as materials such as rattan and seagrass became more limited. Papercord is both durable and flexible whilst remaining relatively low cost. When cared for correctly, it can last upwards for fifty years.
B HOW PAPERCORD IS WOVEN
On high end furniture, papercord tends to be handwoven. The CH24 Chair for example, uses approximately 120 meters of papercord. There are several ways in which papercord can be woven, resulting in a different appearance.
1 BASIC DANISH PATTERN
The Basic Danish Pattern is a weave that hooks to the underside of the chair using nails.
2 DOUBLE DANISH PATTERN
This pattern is like Basic Danish Pattern but wraps around the rungs of the chair too.
3 RUSHING PATTERN
The rushing pattern is an X shaped pattern.
C HOW TO CARE FOR PAPERCORD
Papercord requires little maintenance, as it is designed to last for years. In order to clean a papercord seat, you can wipe it with a tightly wrung soft cloth using a neutral colourless soap solution. If liquid is spilled on the papercord, be careful not to rub the liquid into the papercord, dab the cloth gently on the stained area. If for some reason the papercord is damaged, it can be repaired or replaced by a skilled weaver.