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 design by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, sofa, model 490, reupholstered.
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish design by Arne Hovmand-Olsen. 3-seater sofa model 490. Oak legs and teak nails. Completely renovated-reupholstered: new reupholstery in quality grey furniture wool, par...
Wool, Oak, Teak
$1,440Sale Price|58% Off
H 28.5 in W 26 in D 28.5 in
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...
Brass
$6,850Sale Price / set|27% Off
H 33 in W 27.75 in D 21.5 in
Set of 6 Teak and Bouclé Dining Chairs by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, 1960s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Jutex
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous set of six (6) dining chairs by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Jutex (1960s Denmark) is comprised of two armchairs and four side chairs. Some of the many things that make th...
Bouclé, Teak
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Model 480 Lounge Chair
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Staffanstorp, SE
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Model 480 Lounge Chair Alf. Juul Rasmussen’s Polstermøbelfabrik, Denmark, 1950s An exceptionally rare lounge chair by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, model 480, produced in t...
Oak
1960s Vintage Sofa - Reupholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
I adore this sofa - from the 60s we removed the original yellow fabric, streamlined the sewing in this two toned velvet and added custom brass feet. Absolutely darling with good scal...
Brass
$2,573 / set
H 81 in W 48 in D 50 in
Set of Four Arne Hovmand-Olsen Dining Chairs, Teak & Leather, 1960s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of four Arne Hovmand Olsen dining chairs. Frame of partly solid teak. New upholstered with mokka aniline leather.
Leather, Teak
Arne Norell Leather Sofa, Model Indra, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced by Arne Norell Aneby Möbler, Sweden, 1960s. Rusty brown original leather. Good condition and signs of usage. Small damage on one of the leather straps on the back, see pict...
Leather
$12,165
H 29.93 in W 76.78 in D 28.75 in
Danish Modern TV Bench Sofa Model 161 by Hans Olsen Bramin, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans Olsen, Bramin Mobler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Modular teak TV bench model 161 by Hans Olsen for Bramin, Denmark. The set consists of a bench, two seating modules and a table. Four cushions are included. We...
Teak
$24,236Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 76.78 in D 28.75 in
Pair Danish TV Bench Sofas Model 161 by Hans Olsen Bramin, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans Olsen, Bramin Mobler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Pair of modular teak TV benches model 161 by Hans Olsen for Bramin, Denmark, ade in the 1960s. The set consists of two benches, four seating modules and two ta...
Teak, Wool, Rattan
$1,333
H 29.93 in W 23.23 in D 18.51 in
Rare Danish Teak Armchair by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, 1960s Vintage
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Hannover, DE
Rare Armchair by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold Denmark, circa 1960s–1970s A beautifully designed armchair by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, produced by the renowned Danish manufacturer Mo...
Papercord, Teak
Arne Norell Sofa Model Merkur, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Arne Norell and produced by Arne Norell Möbel AB, Sweden, 1960s. All original, dark stained beech legs and brown buffalo leather. Great vintage condition with small sign...
Leather
Danish Teak Chair by Arne Hovmand-Olsen Mid-Century Modern
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern Danish teak armchair by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, circa 1960s. Mid-century modern chair in solid teak with floating back. Armrest is made in one piece in a horseshoe for...
Teak
$7,954 / set
H 30.52 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Set of Eight Papercord Dining Chairs by Arne Hovmand Olsen, Denmark, 1960's
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of eight dining chairs designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold, Denmark, 1960's. Teak wood frame and new papercord seats.
Papercord, Teak
Classic Danish TEAK framed sofa by Arne Hovmand Olsen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Danish TEAK framed sofa by Arne Hovmand Olsen .Beautiful teak framed sofa.The vintage chocolate brown upholstery is in very good original condition overall and shows exceptio...
Fabric, 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 ...
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.
Wool, Teak
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 ...
Oak, Teak
Arne Hovmand-Olsen 3-Sear Teak Sofa for Mogens Kold
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arne Hovmand-Olsen 3-seat teak sofa for Mogens Kold.
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Oak, Teak
Seldom Seen Danish Sofa Designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
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...
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.
Brass