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.
Danish Teakwood Corner Cabinet by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Skovmand and Andersen
By Hans J. Wegner, Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Johannes Andersen, Skovmand and Andersen, Dyrlund
Located in München, DE
Exceptionally beautiful Danish teak corner cabinet from the 1960s. The high-quality workmanship and the elegant design make the corner cabinet a real favourite. Design: Arne Hovmand...
Birch, Teak
Scandinavian wall mounted flip top teak desk with 3 drawers Arne Hovmand-Olsen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A wall mounted teak flip-top desk with a black laminate writing surface over 3 drawers. It's in very good vintage condition without stains or major flaws. Designed and made by Arne H...
Brass
Vintage MCM Danish Arne Hovmand-Olsen Teak Credenza
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional Mid-Century Modern credenza is a quintessential example of Danish design by the renowned Arne Hovmand-Olsen. Crafted from richly grained teak wood, the piece showcas...
Teak
Arne Hovmand Olsen Vanity / Secretary in Teak with Etched Glass Doors
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Christian Linnebergs Møbelfabrik
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Arne Hovmand Olsen Manufacturer: Linnebjerg Era: 1950s Materials: Teak, Glass Measurements: 39.5" wide x 21.5" deep x 33" tall Condition: In excelle...
Teak, Glass
Danish Modern 7 Drawer Chest by Arne Hovmand Olsen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This elegant Scandinavian modern drawer chest boasts 7 drawers (shallow by today's standards) with sculptural rectangular finger pulls. It Is made from old growth teak with a trad...
Teak
Extra long Danish sideboard, teak, oak, leatherette, 280 cm, Arne Hovmand-Olsen.
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Exceptional, very, very large Scandinavian sideboard. Two large sliding doors spanning the entire width and upholstered in an elegant black wavy fabric open onto two large, height-ad...
Faux Leather, Oak, Teak
H 54 in W 37.5 in D 18.25 in
Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish teak secretary desk crafted of teak with book-matched grain across the drawers. The secretary features a pull-out writing surface over three drawers. A pair of sliding glass c...
Glass, Teak
H 87.8 in W 28.75 in D 28.75 in
Corner Cabinet in Mahogany, 18th Century, Georgian
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant English mahogany corner cabinet from the 18th century Very good quality corner cupboard which has braced windows. It is his ...
Mahogany
H 35.75 in W 23 in D 16.5 in
Antique English Corner Cabinet Carved Oak Hanging Wall Cabinet Storage 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful Antique Highly Carved English Oak Hanging Wall or Freestanding Corner Cabinet, Medicine or Spice Cabinet with Interior Shelves Carved double doors with 3 open she...
Oak
H 33.5 in W 78.25 in D 18.25 in
Danish Teak Sideboard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage teak sideboard makes a stylish storage piece in a variety of settings. Quality Teak veneer, unique carved pulls, interior rosewood drawers and plenty of cabinet...
H 43.31 in W 59.45 in D 16.93 in
Mid-Century Cabinet / Sideboard in Teak & Oak, Danish Cabinetmaker, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely rare cabinet in teak & oak. Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker in 1960s. Highlighted details and plenty of shelves featured in this beautiful cabinet. A fine vintage object that will complement many interior styles. A modern, classic, art deco or Scandinavian home deco. With a heavy focus on functionality, this design style leans toward modernism, while incorporating coziness. The Scandinavian design style aims to provide a way for people to live more sustainably and in harmony with one another. Honorable mentions with similar designs; Jakob Kjær...
Oak, Teak
H 39 in W 39 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Mid Century Stunning Rosewood 6 drawer dresser by Johannes Sorth
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish Modern Mid Century Stunning tall Rosewood 6 drawer dresser by Johannes Sorth. Beautiful rosewood grain on the front of the dresser. Clean inside and out. Made by Bornholms Møb...
Brass
H 29 in W 72 in D 18 in
Mid century danish modern 6 drawer teak long dresser by Art Furn
By Art Furn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century danish modern 6 drawer long teak dresser by Art furn. Simple basic Danish modern design teak dresser. Has carved upper handles with solid wood drawers. Clean inside and o...
Teak
H 99.5 in W 42.25 in D 30.25 in
19th-C. French Corner Cabinet
Located in Ballard, CA
A single door painted French corner cabinet in the Louis XVI style. Made out of pine wood painted with light gray/blue and cream accents. Feature...
Iron
H 18 in W 27.5 in D 23 in
Custom 1950s Wall Mounted Modernist Writing Desk
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique handmade custom wall-mounted writing desk made in the 1950s. Solid birch construction with patinated brass accents and a smooth black laminate desk surface that folds up when ...
H 43.51 in W 32.09 in D 22.25 in
Teak Mid-Century Modern Corner Cabinet or Cupboard, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern corner cabinet or cupboard. Striking Dutch design from the 1960s. Solid teak and teak veneer. Three original drawe...
Teak
H 43.31 in W 32.49 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian secretary in rosewood by Arne Wahl Iversen.
By Vinde Møbelfabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian secretary in rosewood by Arne Wahl Iversen. Small lamp in central part.
Rosewood
H 68.51 in W 39.38 in D 21.66 in
Mid Century Modern danish corner cabinet teak By Dyrlund , 1960s
By Dyrlund
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid Century Modern danish corner cabinet teak By Dyrlund , 1960s Design year: 1960s Danish Design Dimensions: 55 D x 100 W x 174 H cm with re...
Teak
H 30 in W 69 in D 17.75 in
Arne Hovmand - Olsen Teak Credenza / Server Denmark
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted teak wood credenza / server fashioned by the early cabinetmakers in Denmark with exceptional wood graining the doors . Sculptural pulls to the fronts of the four...
Teak
H 79 in W 41 in D 14 in
Danish Modern Bookcase Room Divider w Desk by Arne Hovmand Olsen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare Arne Hovmand Olsen Freestanding Shelf Unit or Room Divider with Drop Down Secretary Desk or Bar Cabinet. 41w 14d 79h
Wood
H 39.75 in W 36.25 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Secretary Desk by Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century secretary desk designed by Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold. Crafted from rich teak, the desk showcases exceptional craftsmanship with its warm, beautifully grained wood and...
Wood, Teak
H 31.5 in W 78.5 in D 17.5 in
"Floating" Sideboard / Credenza, Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold, Denmark, 1960s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Deland, FL
Presenting a remarkable teak sideboard designed by the renowned Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold. Crafted in Denmark during the 1960s, this piece exemplifies the finest of Danish M...
Teak
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 17.72 in
1960s Sideboard, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic sideboard from the 1960s by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold. High-quality corpus in teak veneer with four sliding doors, three shelves, five internal drawers and solid woo...
Teak
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 17.72 in
Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, sideboard, Denmark, 1960s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Torino, IT
Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, sideboard, Denmark, 1960s
Oak
H 30.75 in W 57.5 in D 16.5 in
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Danish Teak and Rosewood Eight Drawer Dresser Circa 1960s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Peabody, MA
Eight drawer dresser in teak with contrasting rosewood handles by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Denmark, ca. 1960s.
Rosewood, Teak
H 44.5 in W 36 in D 15.75 in
Danish Modern 7 Drawer Chest by Arne Hovmand Olsen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This elegant Scandinavian modern drawer chest boasts 7 drawers (shallow by today's standards) with sculptural rectangular finger pulls. It Is made from old growth teak with a trad...
Teak
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 17.72 in
Danish Teak Sideboard by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold 1960.
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian sideboard that can be used as a Sideboard because it is veneered in teak on its rear side. 4 sliding doors, the left door opens onto 6 interior drawers, the two ...
Teak
H 7 in W 40.5 in D 23.5 in
Mid-Century Wall-Mount Rosewood Flip-top Desk Wall Console Hovmand Olsen Danish
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Denmark, circa 1960. Arne Hovmand-Olsen Flip-top, 2-Drawer Wall-mounted Desk. Made with rosewood veneer, black laminate, and brass hinges. Rare double drawer unit. w 40½ × d 23½ ×...
Brass
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 17.72 in
Danish Teak Sideboard by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, 1960
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian row that can be used as a sideboard because it is veneered in teak on its rear face. 4 Sliding doors, the left door opens onto 6 interior drawers, the two middle ...
Teak
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 17.72 in
Danish Teak Sideboard Model MK 189 by Arne-Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold 1960.
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian sideboard that can be used as a Sideboard because it is teak veneered on its back side. 4 sliding doors, the left door opens onto 6 interio...
Teak