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Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

Danish, 1919-1989

Throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, Arne Hovmand-Olsen created furnishings that boasted all of the alluring qualities now associated with vintage Scandinavian modern design. The esteemed Danish designer favored high-quality teak, oak and rosewood for his sideboards, chairs and dining tables. Elsewhere, Hovmand-Olsen’s side tables and credenzas feature elegant organic curves and tapered legs, while his graceful armchairs and dining chairs are characterized by slender frames and sculptural seat backs.

From an early age Hovmand-Olsen showed an interest in drawing and an aptitude for design. In 1938, he began his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker under Peder Olsen Sibast, the founder of Sibast furniture company. Owing largely to the creative direction of Peder’s son, designer Helge Sibast, during the mid-century era, the manufacturer is internationally revered today for its wide range of sleek and collectible modern furniture. 

In 1941, Hovmand-Olsen enrolled in a technical school to study furniture design, and opened his own workshop shortly after graduating. He created a range of furnishings for such notable manufacturers as Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Elven Geertsen and Jutex. He found success in Denmark, but attained even greater notability when he began selling his work in America.

Mid-century-era design from this region of the world — including objects like Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair, Alvar Aalto’s undulating Savoy vase and Tapio Wirkkala’s leaf-shaped birch-laminate tray — took off in the States after the Second World War, when Scandinavia’s simple, curvilinear wooden furniture, home goods and textiles suddenly seemed the perfect foil for glass-and-steel skyscrapers.  

Hovmand-Olsen closed his workshop during the 1970s. Today his work is widely collected by enthusiasts of mid-century Scandinavian modern furniture.

Find vintage Arne Hovmand-Olsen seating, tables, storage pieces and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Komfort Sculptural Teak Sofa
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Springfield, OR
A finely restored sculptural teak sofa by designer Arne Hovmand Olsen for Komfort. Made in Denmark in the late 50s or early 60s. It has been fully cleaned, oiled and new cushions mad...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

Materials

Teak

Seldom Seen Danish Sofa Designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Danish modern sofa (frame) designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold. In original estate condition. Retain original finish, patina showing just the right amount of cosmetic...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

Materials

Oak, Teak

Arne Hovmand-Olsen Sofa Model 480 by Alf. Juul Rasmussen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare sofa model 480 designed by Arne Hovmand-Olsen. Produced by Alf. Juul Rasmussens polstermøbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

Materials

Brass

1950s Danish Teak Sofa by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Modens Kold
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Buffalo, NY
1950s Danish teak sofa by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Modens Kold, stunning, classic design, extremely comfortable, retains original cushions, nice original condition, superior quality an...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Teak

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Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Attributed, Three-Seat Sofa and Lounge Chair
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Arne Hovmand-Olsen. Set of dining chairs in mahogany. New weaved seats in papercord. Made by Mogens Kold.
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Set 4 Danish Teak Chairs by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, 1950s
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Set 4 Vintage Danish teak chairs by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, 1950s. Elegant and sculptural chair in solid teak with beautifully restored wool fabric... Designed in 1951 as...
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Vintage Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold Teak Lounge Chair-Denmark, 1960s
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lovely and dynamically-proportioned lounge or easy chair attributed to Arne Hovmand-Olsen and manufactured by Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik (metal manufacturer's stamp to underside) in sculpted teak and original boucle wool upholstery. Deeply patinated teak lends visual contrast against the off-white upholstery. Completely original condition down the the seat straps and brass hardware. Sophisticated seat cushion and backrest mounting system consisting of custom brass spacers which create a suspended effect to the panels keeping the design very airy and light. Hovmand-Olsen’s designs span seating, tables, and secretaries, all of which are characteristically simple in form with clean lines, organic curves, and tapered legs. Like many of his Danish contemporaries, he favored the use of high-quality, beautifully grained woods like teak and rosewood. Notable designs include his Model 175 chair (1955)—which is often mistaken for N.O. Møller’s Model 77 chair...
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Set of Four Danish Modern Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold Dining Chairs as is
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in New York, NY
Set of four dining chairs designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold, circa 1960's. The chairs are being offered as is, all will need refinishing, some need regluing, and or repa...
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Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Papercord, Teak

Arne Hovmand Olsen Teak Papercord Dining Chair for Mogens Kold Set of 2
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Arne Hovmand Olsen dining chairs in teak wood and papercord. Produced by Mogens Kold. Set of 2.
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1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Sofa in Patinated Leather by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Lejre, DK
Sofa in patinated green leather and solid wood frame. designed by Arne Norell for Norell Møbel AB in the mid-1960s. A Very comfortable sofa in timeless design and quality. Made in Sw...
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Sofa in Patinated Leather by Arne Norell
Sofa in Patinated Leather by Arne Norell
H 29.53 in W 64.97 in D 37.41 in
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Dining Chair in Teak
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, dining chair, model 71, teak, brass, Denmark, 1959 This sculptural dining chair is designed by the Danish designer Arne Hovmand-Olse...
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Arne Hovmand-Olsen Dining Chair in Teak
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Dining Chair in Teak
H 30.71 in W 19.3 in D 20.08 in
Expertly Restored - Arne Hovmand-Olsen Teak & Leather Dining Chairs
By J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
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1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Leather, Wood, Teak

Vintage Chair by Arne Hovmand Olsen, 1950s, Danish, Teak
Located in Hannover, DE
Dining vintage chair from the 1950s. Designed by Danish architect Arne Hovmand Olsen. Only 1 chair available. Sturdy teak wood frame. Refurbished and oiled. Renewed Danish paper...
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1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Set of Four Dining Chairs Designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage rare set of four dining-room chairs, designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold Mobelfabrik, Denmark.The chairs are organic in their shape the rounded, almost branch like...
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1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Arne Hovmand Olsen Tripod Stool in Wood
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Hovmand-Olsen, milking stool, beech, Denmark, 1950s. This Danish tripod stool by Arne Hovmand-Olsen contains a remarkable halved seat, which...
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1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Arne Hovmand Olsen Tripod Stool in Wood
Arne Hovmand Olsen Tripod Stool in Wood
H 19.3 in W 15.75 in D 11.03 in
4 Danish Mid Century Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold MK310 teak dining chairs
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A beautifully sculptural set of 4 Vintage Danish Mid Century Arne Hovmand-Olsen MK310 teak dining chairs with original black vinyl upholstery for Mogens Kold, 1950s. Originally designed by Olsen in 1951 and manufactured by Mogens Kold, Denmark, these chairs stand out as one of the very first chair designs Olsen created. The chairs feature a sculptural organic back shape that is constructed with a feature insert of plywood and solid teak. Olsen was recognised as being one of the forerunners of using this technique to add strength and durability to his designs as well as creating beautifully sculptured forms that appear as carved from solid wood. This is a design and construction style also adopted by many of his contemporaries including Niels Otto Moller, and many of the designs created by them both are often misattributed as each other’s as they share many similar details and characteristics. These particular chairs were produced with two options of seating style and fabric: one was the famous Danish paper cord seat that was widely used in the 50’s and 60s, and the other, as here, in simple black vinyl. The vinyl used on Mid Century Danish seating is very durable and impressed with a realistic grain that actually makes it very difficult to tell it apart from leather. The other advantage of the vinyl is that as it is intentionally used without a foam insert it accentuates the clean, crisp angular line of the seating base which acts as a counterpoint to the softer more flowing lines of the wooden structure. Plus it’s a lot easier to keep clean and in good condition compared to paper cord! The set is in very good vintage condition with light marks in the wooden frame and on the seats here and there commensurate with age and use – all the joints are solid and sound. Three of the four chairs maintain both the Danish quality control and the MK manufacturer’s metal labels as shown in the pictures, the other is missing in action, maybe eaten by a tiny cockapoo... The chairs are very much in ‘found’ condition and have just had a simple rub down and application of wax to bring them up to a soft sheen. Note that it is a hard seat as there is no foam underlay, but they look good with such sharp lines and are, in any event, very easy chairs to upholster...
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Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

Materials

Teak

Previously Available Items
Vintage Danish Mid Century Teak and Oak Loveseat Sofa by Arne Hovmand Olsen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a rare and beautiful Scandinavian modern settee in teak and oak designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen and manufactured by Mogens Kold in Denmark in the 1960's. This exquisite piece,...
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Teak

Danish Modern Sofa by Arne Hovmand-Olsen 1956
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Sofa by Arne Hovmand-Olsen 1956 for Alf. Juul Rasmussen Polstermøbelfabrik, Denmark. Vintage Danish Mid-Century Modern Model 480 two and ...
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1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Wool, Oak, Teak

Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Three Seat Sofa
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Hovmand-Olsen. Three seat sofa with original velvet. Legs of stained wood. Made in the 1950s, by Pedersen & Knap.
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Wool, Teak

Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Three Seat Sofa
Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Three Seat Sofa
H 31.11 in W 72.45 in D 30.32 in
Vintage Danish Sofa Set by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, 1950s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish sofa set by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Alf. Juul Rasmussen Polstermøbelfabrik, Denmark, 1950s. Danish Mid-Century Modern Model 480 sofa and ...
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1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

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Oak, Teak

Arne Hovmand-Olsen 3-Sear Teak Sofa for Mogens Kold
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arne Hovmand-Olsen 3-seat teak sofa for Mogens Kold.
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Wood, Oak, Teak

Ultra Rare Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofa
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Epperstone, Nottinghamshire
Staggering and ultra rare sofa designed by architect Arne Hovmand Olsen for cabinet maker Pedersen and Knap, Denmark, 1954. Amazing super sculptural sofa wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofas

Ultra Rare Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofa
Ultra Rare Arne Hovmand Olsen Sofa
H 30.71 in W 72.84 in D 31.5 in

Arne Hovmand-olsen sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Arne Hovmand-Olsen sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arne Hovmand-Olsen sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofas by Arne Hovmand-Olsen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider sofas by Arne Wahl Iversen, Arne Vodder, and France & Søn. Prices for Arne Hovmand-Olsen sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,600 and can go as high as $13,477, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,200.

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