Scandinavian Sofa by Ole Wanscher FD 109 from 1960s
View Similar Items
Scandinavian Sofa by Ole Wanscher FD 109 from 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Ole Wanscher (Designer),France & Daverkosen (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 51.97 in (132 cm)Depth: 32.29 in (82 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3020321241932
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.
- Federico Munari Velvet Rounded Meridienne Sofa, 1960sBy Federico MunariLocated in Paris, IDFThe rounded, sloped back gives this piece a jolt of Italian midcentury glamour. Designed by Federico Munari in Italy in the 1960s, the sofa seems t...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- Italian Bamboo Sofa and Stool with French Bouclé Fabric Early 1960sLocated in Paris, IDFThis beautiful bamboo sofa and stool from the Mid-Century Modern French Riviera era are bursting with nostalgia. The soothing design and naturalistic materials will promote tranquill...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Bamboo
- Midcentury Italian Lacquer Brass Living Room sofa by Romeo Rega, 1970sBy Romeo RegaLocated in Paris, IDFThis sofa from the Mid-Century Modern Italian Riviera period designed by Romeo Rega is bursting with nostalgia. With its impeccable design, perfect proportions, and high-end Italian ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Two Croissant Sofas by Raphael Raffel Leather and Bouclé 1970sBy Raphael Raffel, Maison HonoréLocated in Paris, IDFRare set of two small croissant sofas by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofas have been fully resto...Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Bouclé
- Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris in Mohair Velvet, 1970sBy Raphael Raffel, Maison HonoréLocated in Paris, IDFRare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofa has been fully restored and newly uphols...Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMohair, Velvet
- Jules Leleu three seater sofa mohair velvet 1940sBy Jules LeleuLocated in Paris, IDFThis beautiful sofa designed by Jules Leleu around 1945 embodies the smooth lines of the art deco living room sets that came on the market in the early 1930s. The smooth and round lines are a thing of beauty, finished with curved oak feet, one of Jules Leleu clubs signature. This sofa has been fully restored and reupholstered using an offwhite thick mohair velvet from Elitis, which is exceptionally soft to the touch, and 100% mohair, that enhances the sofa’s beautiful shape. Impart a luxe, homey and elegance feel to a contemporary living room with this incredible sofa. Photos of the restoration process and documentation are available upon request. The matching pair of club armchairs is also available. Literature: Mobilier et Décoration août-septembre-octobre 1945, Edition Edmond Honoré / Mobilier et Décoration year book...Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- 1960s Restored Danish Ole Wanscher Sofa by CadoBy Ole Wanscher, CadoLocated in Knebel, DKMahogany sofa designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by Cado. The elegant sofa feature organic shapes and excellent craftmanship with lots of small details. The sofa has been re...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsTeak
- Ole Wanscher FD-109 armchair for France & Daverkosen, 1950sBy Ole Wanscher, France & DaverkosenLocated in Neuss, NWElegant armchair from the 1950s by Ole Wanscher for France & Daverkosen. Rare model FD-109 features a solid beech frame stained in teak with a sloping open back and angled legs for a...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Colonial sofa by Ole WanscherBy Ole WanscherLocated in Copenhagen, DKPJ 149/2 - 'Colonial' 2-seater sofa in rosewood with cushions in black patinated leather. Ole Wanscher / P. JeppesenCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Ole Wanscher Sofa for Cado, 1960s Danish DesignBy Ole Wanscher, CadoLocated in Neuss, NWClassic 3-seater-sofa from the 1960s. Model Senator by Ole Wanscher for CADO. High-quality solid teak frame. The sofa has been reupholstered and covered with a high-quality gray upho...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Leather Sofa by Ole WanscherBy A. J. Iversen, Ole WanscherLocated in Sagaponack, NYA sofa with a raised, tight back and sloping arms, retaining the original tan leather upholstery, on rosewood legs.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
$15,500 - 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