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Arne Hovmand Olsen Settees

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
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 Settees

Materials

Oak, Teak

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a set of 4 dining chairs designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen, produced by Mogens Kold
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Arne Vodder Sofa in Patinated Cognac Leather
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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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Pair of Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold Lounge Chairs
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Previously Available Items
Sushi Two Seater by Arne Hovmand Olsen
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Sushi 2-Seater designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen In white oak, fabric and leather.
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Sushi Two Seater by Arne Hovmand Olsen
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Arne Hovmand-olsen settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Arne Hovmand-Olsen settees 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 settees, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original settees by Arne Hovmand-Olsen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the 1950s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider settees by France & Søn, Hans J. Wegner, and Finn Juhl. Prices for Arne Hovmand-Olsen settees can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,600 and can go as high as $3,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,600.

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