Danish Loveseat Settee Sofa by Ole Wanscher for France & Daverkosen
View Similar Items
Danish Loveseat Settee Sofa by Ole Wanscher for France & Daverkosen
About the Item
- Creator:Ole Wanscher (Designer),France & Daverkosen (Maker)
- Similar to:Grete Jalk (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 51.5 in (130.81 cm)Depth: 27 in (68.58 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. The sofa has been updated with new luxury fabric and foam. Look closely to see a harmonious weave of earthy red tones. The settee has all of its original support bands beneath the seat.
- Seller Location:Chattanooga, TN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2255316367972
Ole Wanscher
A scholar and architect with the heart of an artist, Ole Wanscher helped define the functional, clean-cut style that formed the core of modern Danish furniture design. Influenced heavily by his world travels, Wanscher gained inspiration from English, Asian, Egyptian and traditional Shaker furniture, and he incorporated elements from these styles into his revered mid-century designs.
Wanscher’s deep respect for the use of traditional materials such as quality wood is reflected in his work, which is valued for being both beautiful and built to last. He was also a leader in the postwar “design for everyone” movement, creating many pieces intended for everyday life within the small confines of the average Danish household. Later, Wanscher became a prolific writer on the subject of furniture design. He is considered one of the most significant influences on the world of Scandinavian modernism.
The son of an art historian and a painter, Wanscher studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. From 1925 to 1927, Wanscher worked under the great Danish designer and professor Kaare Klint, who became one of the greatest stylistic influences on his output. Wanscher would go on to work as a professor at the academy from 1955 to 1973.
Wanscher founded his own furniture manufacturing company in 1929. Here he employed the top cabinetmakers of the day, most notably A.J. Iversen, with whom Wanscher collaborated for many years. While the workshop produced seductive handmade furniture with organic materials such as teak and mahogany, Wanscher intended to design durable seating, tables and more for the mass market — he was committed to making quality furniture available to a wider audience.
Of all of Wanscher’s designs, he is perhaps best known for his Colonial chair. This piece — which is part of a collection for Danish manufacturer P. Jeppesens that includes a sofa and a coffee table — exemplifies his penchant for combining minimalist design with traditional craftsmanship. Wanscher’s dining room tables, such as the Rungstedlund table, also epitomize the elegance of his work’s simple silhouettes and careful construction. These sleek tables serve as an ideal centerpiece for both modern and traditionally styled dining rooms, highlighting the versatility of Wanscher’s work.
Wanscher received a gold medal for his exemplary work at the 1960 Milan Triennale. He also received the Copenhagen Carpenters’ Guild Annual Award. Though Wanscher passed away in 1985, his iconic designs and scholarly writings remain relevant to this day.
Find vintage Ole Wanscher tables, seating and case pieces on 1stDibs.
France & Daverkosen
The giant of mid-century furniture design France & Søn began its remarkable journey as a Danish firm specializing in the production and exporting of Scandinavian design called France & Daverkosen.
British businessman Charles William Fearnley France and Danish cabinetmaker Eric Daverkosen entered into a joint venture in 1936 — France being the investor and Daverkosen the head designer for their small mattress factory. Soon after production started at the France & Daverkosen company, Daverkosen became quite ill.
Concerned for his friend and their fledgling business, France traveled to Denmark, and Daverkosen died soon after his partner arrived. While France was attempting to make arrangements to transfer the company into his hands, World War II erupted, and Germany invaded Denmark. As a British citizen, France was captured and sent to a prison camp in Germany.
While in captivity, France developed several manufacturing ideas to pass the time and to keep his mind focused. He imagined a way to create lightweight wooden chairs that could be manufactured on an industrial scale and transported using an economic flat-pack format. He also thought of a way to retool his mattress factory to create chair backs, seats and sofa cushions.
Once freed, France returned to his business in Denmark and began to manufacture beech and teak goods that were gaining widespread acclaim around the world. He began to surround himself with some of the best Scandinavian designers of the time: Finn Juhl, Grete Jalk and Ole Wanscher, to name a few.
By 1954, France & Daverkosen accounted for 60 percent of all Danish furniture exports and their factory employed 350 people. Charles’s son James joined the company in 1957, which resulted in the name change to France & Søn.
Later, France & Søn was acquired by Danish designer Poul Cadovius, who folded it into the operations at CADO, a company he founded during the 1950s.
On 1stDibs, find France & Daverkosen seating, tables and more.
- Tufted Leather Balinese Style Danish Modern Solid Teak and Cane SofaBy Peter Hvidt, Finn JuhlLocated in Chattanooga, TNAlthough not marked by the maker, this exceptional, vintage (late 1970s / early 1980s) solid teak sofa has a distinctive Danish modern design but may actually be Canadian. The sofa f...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- 1970s Fred Lowen for Tessa Black Leather & Teak T4 SofaBy TESSA Furniture Co, Fred Lowen, Percival Lafer, Florence KnollLocated in Chattanooga, TNLow profile meets high comfort without compromise with this T4 Sofa. This particular piece is an early 70s release, and is designed by Fred Lowen for Tessa Fu...Category
Vintage 1970s Australian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rope, Teak
- Gold Goop Brutalist Loveseat Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, Paul EvansLocated in Chattanooga, TNYou won't find a nicer original version of this Adrian Pearsall Brutalist loveseat sofa anywhere. That's right, this magnificent pink wool fabric was hand picked by the original own...Category
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Loveseats
MaterialsResin, Wood
- 1980s Howard Solid Oak Barrel Shaped Loveseat SofaBy Howard Furniture ManufacturingLocated in Chattanooga, TNComfort is king with this stylish vintage 1980s barrel shaped loveseat sofa by Howard Furniture. American made, solid oak throughout! The ultra cozy loveseat is wide and padded with ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsOak, Fabric
- Tulip Group Sofa in Rosewood by K M Wilkins for G-Plan of EnglandBy G Plan FurnitureLocated in Chattanooga, TNMatching pair of lounge chairs also available and sold separately (see last pic). This incredible sofa was purchased new in Glasgow, Scotland in 1970. We acquired from the original owners who kept it in pristine condition. Designed by K.M. Wilkins for G-Plan of England, this line is appropriately named the "Tulip Group". Wilkins also designed the the well known Housemaster Chair, often misattributed to Ib Kofod Larsen. The "Tulip" design is demonstrated by the rosewood panels which are molded into curves that mimic a blossoming flower. Offered almost exclusively in teak, this rosewood set is truly a rare find. The rich, amber-red panels are perfectly complimented by the chrome hardware and velvet fabric. The luxuriously soft velvet is in amazing condition. The color is difficult to describe, but in our opinion, it's a cross between olive-green and taupe-brown. Of course the refraction of light on velvet can magnify or minimize the tones and highlights depending on the angle and environment. The sofa hovers on its original Magnum Orbit chrome...Category
Vintage 1970s English Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Rosewood
$5,996 Sale Price25% Off - Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Fully RestoredBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Chattanooga, TNFULLY restored. A true jaw-dropper from every angle. The new faux leopard fur fabric contrasts perfectly with the old-growth walnut and black lacquer trim. Ultra soft to the touch...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Grete Jalk Sofa in Teak for France & Daverkosen Danish Mid-CenturyBy Grete Jalk, France & DaverkosenLocated in Chicago, ILGrete Jalk sofa for France & Daverkosen Denmark, circa 1955 Teak frame, upholstery. Measures: 80.5" W x 30.5" D x 32" H 'John Stuart Inc' distributors label attached to inte...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Ole Wanscher Two-Seat SetteeBy Ole WanscherLocated in Los Angeles, CAOle Wanscher two-seat settee in mahogany with leather.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Settees
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
Price Upon Request - Ole Wanscher Teak 'Senator' SofaBy Ole WanscherLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis teak high-back two-seat sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher as part of his 'Senator' line, circa 1960s. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
$910 Sale Price30% Off - Colonial 2-Seat Sofa, Model OW149-2, by Ole Wanscher, 1960sBy Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens MøbelfabrikLocated in Lejre, DKExquisite Colonial 2-Seat Sofa, Model OW149-2, a timeless creation by the revered designer Ole Wanscher in 1964, skillfully crafted by P. Jeppesen in the 1960s. This elegant sofa em...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Ole Wanscher Black Leather Sofa with Mahogany FrameBy Ole WanscherLocated in London, GBFreestanding three seater sofa with mahogany frame designed by Ole Wanscher. Sides, seat and back upholstered with black leather. This example made...Category
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Ole Wanscher Black Leather Sofa with Rosewood FrameBy Ole WanscherLocated in London, GBFreestanding three seater sofa with Brazilian rosewood frame by Ole Wanscher. Seat, sides and back upholstered with black leather. Made by cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen. Fair conditi...Category
Vintage 1960s European Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
$14,392 Sale Price20% Off