Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
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.
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Bouclé, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Hardwood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Teak
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Elm
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Faux Leather, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Wool, Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Teak
1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Rope, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Papercord, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Naugahyde, Teak
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Papercord, Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Fabric, Teak, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Cotton, Upholstery, Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Wool, Teak, Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Velvet
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Teak, Wool, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Wool, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Teak
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arne Hovmand Olsen Armchairs
Leather, Walnut