For the better part of the past century, Magnus Olesen has been producing sturdy and functional furnishings for the modern lifestyle. With a focus on durability and exceptional quality, the Danish manufacturer continues to uphold the traditions associated with Scandinavian modernism — its artisans adhere to standards of the highest caliber in the construction of its widely revered armchairs, lounge chairs, stools and other pieces, which are crafted in a range of rich woods such as ash, oak and teak with a prioritization on practicality and ergonomics.
Cabinetmaker Magnus Olesen founded his eponymous company in 1937 in Denmark, and since then the brand has been producing functional, elegant furniture for interiors all over the world.
The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life. Some of the designers that have partnered with Magnus Olesen over the years include Kai Kristiansen — a Danish cabinetmaker known for his innovative mid-century wall units — duo Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sørensen, and Ib Kofod-Larsen, who was one of the best-selling Danish furniture makers in the United States during the 1950s, a time when Scandinavia’s simple, curvilinear wooden furniture, home goods and textiles suddenly seemed the perfect foil for America’s glass-and-steel skyscrapers.
With a showroom in Copenhagen and a production facility in Durup, Magnus Olesen remains in business today. The company primarily focuses on home furnishings but also produces a range of furniture for offices, the hospitality industry and healthcare facilities.
Find vintage Magnus Olesen chairs, tables and other seating on 1stDibs.
Magnus Olesen Stacking Armchair Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage armchair by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Curved laminated oakwood design with light grey upholstery. Dimensions: 55 W x 48 D x 75 H cm. Chair of the 61 series, stackable laminated...
Wool, Oak, Plywood
Chairs by Rud Thygesen & Johnny Sorensen for Magnus Olesen, 1970s, Set of 24
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Antwerp, BE
A high quality of curved laminated wooden stacking chairs with woven wool upholstery in olive green. Set of 24 stacking chairs available, price ...
Wool, Wood
Armchair by Magnus Rud Thygesen and Jonny Sorensen for Magnus Olesen
By Magnus Olesen, Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen
Located in Berlin, DE
Armchair designed by Rud Thygesen & Johnny Sørensen and produced by Magnus Olesen in Denmark, this armchair showcases refined Danish modern craftsmanship. Featuring a bentwood frame ...
Wood
1970s Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen Restored Conference Armchairs in Oak
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Knebel, DK
1970s Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen restored customizable armchairs in oak The comfortable 61 series stackable conference armchairs in laminated were designed by Rud Thygesen and...
Oak
1990's Magnus Olesen Lotus Chair with Red Upholstery and White Ash Frame
By Magnus Olesen, Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1990's Modernist Magnus Olesen Lotus chair by Rud Thygensen & Jonny Sørensen. Red upholstered seating with a vacuum molded white ash wood body and metal legs. In original condition w...
Metal
Three Paper Knife Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Hellouw, NL
Set of three paper knife chairs, model 121, by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen from Denmark 1960s. These chairs in teak have a trul...
Teak, Fabric
Kai Kristianssen Universe chairs Magnus Olesen Denmark 1965
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A fantastic and high-quality set of six dining chairs, Model 301 ‘Universe,’ designed by the renowned Kai Kristiansen and expertly crafted by Magnus Olesen in Denmark, 1965. These ch...
Velvet, Hardwood
Paire de chaises en palissandre et cuir par Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in PARIS, FR
Un très joli modèle de chaises du designer danois Kaï Kristiansen, avec ses assises en cuir ivoire. Les finitions et la belle teinte du bois, un palissandre assez clair qui fait ress...
Leather, Palisander
1970s Six Restored Stackable Rud Thygesen, Johnny Sorensen Customizable Chairs
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of six customizable 61 series stackable laminated oak conference armchairs designed by Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sørensen for Magnus Olesen in 1975. The conference chairs with th...
Oak
Mid Century Danish Modern Donut Stool by Thygesen for Magnus Olesen c 1970's
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Danish Modern design stool by Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen for Magnus Olsen circa 1970's. The stool features three bent laminate wood legs, attached to an ebonized donut f...
Wood
H 31.5 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Cantilever Armchair Designed by Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1975
By Magnus Olesen, Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage cantilever armchair designed by Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen for Magnus Olesen, Labeled Made in Denmark. Curved laminated beech wood design with light grey- green upholst...
Upholstery, Beech, Plywood
H 78 in W 71 in D 68 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchair in Black Leather and Black Metal, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern armchair in black leather and black metal, 1970s Armchair in black leather with round padded seat. The padded back is in the shape of a semi-circle. On the sides it has two curved and slightly padded armrests. Exposed seams. At the base it has 4 spoke paw in black painted metal, with wheels. 1970s. Good conditions. The leather has slight scratches caused by use. The measurements are in cm 71 x 68 x 78 H 50 H seat 70...
Metal
H 29.34 in W 21.07 in D 16.93 in
Set Of 6 Dining Chairs Model 42 By Kai Kristiansen For Schou Andersen From 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
This set of 6 dining chairs is truly an iconic example of the timeless elegance that characterizes mid-20th century Danish furniture design. The chairs are model 42, designed by the ...
Fabric, Teak
H 27 in W 21.5 in D 19.5 in
Magnus Olsen Series 8000 Dining Chair by Thygesen &Sorensen Made in Denmark
By Magnus Olesen, Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen
Located in New York, NY
Excellent, clean ready to use Magnus Olsen series 8000 dining chair, designed by Rud Thygesen & Johny Sorensen, made in Denmark circa 1980's. This classic chair is in original finish...
Beech
H 27.96 in W 26.38 in D 32.68 in
Giancarlo Piretti Mid-Century Orange "Alky" Italian Armchairs, Castelli 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic mid-century orange fabric "Alky" armchairs, designed by Giancarlo Piretti and produced by Castelli in Italy during 1970s. These lovely Alky armchairs are fully original in...
Aluminum
H 29.14 in W 26.38 in D 29.53 in
1960s Kai Kristiansen Model KK161 Pair of Teak Armchairs for Magnus, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Praha, CZ
- sturdy and stable - carefully refurbished - pillows newly upholstered - height of seat 39 cm
Fabric, Teak
H 29.14 in W 25.2 in D 28.75 in
Model 121 Paper knife easy chair by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Ranst, VAN
A ‘Model 121’ easy chair, designed by Kai Kristiansen in 1963 and made by Magnus Olesen in Denmark. Known as the ‘Paper Knife’ chair for its sharp-edged armrests. This easy chair is ...
Teak
H 29.5 in W 26 in D 28 in
Pair of Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Teak Magnus Olesen Lounge Armchairs
By Illum Wikkelsø, Borge Jensen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Handsome pair of open arm lounge chairs, model KK161, designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured in Denmark by high-quality furniture maker, Magnus Olesen. These very comfortable c...
Fabric, Teak
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Vintage 1950s Rosewood Lounge Chair
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Paper Knife Chair, 1955 The Model 121 lounge chair is widely considered one of Kai Kristiansen's finest works from a long and celebrated career. The chair, later n...
Rosewood, Leather
H 30.71 in W 21.26 in D 15.75 in
Danish Mid-Century Teak Z-Chair, Model 42, by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Kai Kristiansen : Model 42 The Z chair, also referred to as chair #42, by design of Kai Kristiansen and produced by Slagelse Møbelvaerk. This chair got it’s Z shape from the suspendi...
Naugahyde, Teak
H 28 in W 25 in D 18 in
Magnus Olesen 4551 & 4545 Chair and Stool
By Magnus Olesen, Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Thygesen & Sorensen for Magus Olesen 4551 chair and 4545 "Doughnut" Stool. 1970s. Oak bentwood. Labeled. Price for 1 chair 1 stool.
Oak
H 28.75 in W 20.87 in D 20.08 in
Danish Vintage Model 301 Desk Chair by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, GB
A stunning Danish Vintage model 301 chair by Kai Kristiansen. This was made in Denmark by Magnus Olsen, it dates from the 1960’s. This is a rare and top quality model, it has an ins...
Leather, Wood
H 27.96 in W 21.26 in D 17.72 in
1980s Pair of Danish Stackable Magnus Olesen 8000 Series Chairs
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Praha, CZ
Designed by Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen during the 1980s Cleaned and repolished Height of seat 45 cm.
Fabric, Wood
H 27.56 in W 20.87 in D 17.33 in
Set of Four Stacking Chairs Designed by Magnus Olesen "8000 Series"
By Magnus Olesen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage 8000 series four chairs by Magnus Olsen, Denmark. Stylish curved wooden legs and chair backs with blue-grey top. Vintage patina. Stackable chairs. ...
Bentwood
H 27.56 in Dm 28.35 in
Magnus Olesen Set Round Table and Four Stacking Chairs, Denmark
By Magnus Olesen, Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage set of four Danish dining room chairs and table designed by Rud Thygsen & Johnny Sorensen for Magnus Olesen in 1981. These chairs are from the 8000 series the round shapes ar...
Bentwood
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Solid Teak 'Paper Knife' Lounge Chairs by Kai Kristiansen, 1955
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in San Antonio, TX
This pair of solid teak 'Paper Knife' lounge chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen are in overall good condition and wear consistent with age and use. Clean-lined and comfortab...
Wool, Teak
H 27.96 in W 21.26 in D 20.08 in
Magnus Olesen Stackable Chairs, Denmark, 1980s
By Magnus Olesen, Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen
Located in Den Haag, NL
1980s Magnus Olesen stackable chairs. Design Rud Thygsen & Johnny Sorensen. 8000 serie beechwood. Very strong, clever design. In a used conditi...
Beech
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Chairs, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A super pair of rare rosewood Kai Kristiansen paper knife chairs, produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1960s. Rosewood frames in great condition and original patinated cognac leather ...
Leather, Wood
H 29 in W 20 in D 19 in
Rosewood "Universe" Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Signed Set of 4
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A remarkable set of four (4) rosewood and leather universe #301 chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, circa 1965. Solid rosewood frames that each have unique beautiful grain p...
Leather, Rosewood
H 27.56 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Set of 6 Danish Mid Century Series 8000 Stacking Chairs by Magnus Olesen
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Stackable Series 8000 Danish chairs stylish curved beech wood, blue/grey linoleum seat designed by Rud Thygesen & Johnny Sorensen for Magnus Olesen 1970s.Labeled.Made in Denmark.
Laminate, Beech
H 27 in W 25 in D 28 in
Pair of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chairs
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Kai Kristiansen paper knife (model 121) lounge, arm chairs, made by Magnus Olsen. This pair will need new cushions, the frames are ...
Teak