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.
Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen Mid Century No 121 Paper Knife Teak Sofa
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen mid century No 121 Paper Knife Teak Sofa The sofa measures: 63 wide x 21 deep x 27 high, with a seat height of 16 inches Great Vintage Condition -...
Upholstery, Teak
Paper Knife Sofa by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1956
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two seater Paper Knife sofa designed in 1956 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Teak frame upholstered with new wool fabr...
Fabric, Teak
Danish Design Reupholstered Paper Knife Sofa Model 121 by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Model 121 sofa : Paper Knife sofa We are so pleased to present this drop-dead gorgeous and rare ‘Paperknife’ couch designed in the 1950s by Kai Kristiansen ...
Wool, Teak
Danish Design Kai Kristiansen Seating Group Model Universe, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Renens, CH
A rare seating arrangement designed by designer Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen in Denmark. This set has been made from Brazilian Rio Palisander and represents excellent craftsman...
Wool, Wood
$351
H 30.71 in W 21.66 in D 18.9 in
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
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
Cantilever Armchair Designed by Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1975
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
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
Kai Kristiansen Walnut and Mohair Mohair Velvet Bench
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
A beuatiful bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar in Denmark. This hand-made to order bench has a solid walnut frame ...
Mohair, Oak, Walnut
Danish 1940's Curved Small Sofa
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super elegant "Banana" shaped curved sofa that the Danes were famous for in thew late Art Deco and early Midcentury periods. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beaut...
Beech
Kai Kristiansen Teak 42 Armchair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Fraser, MI
Danish Modern Arm Chair by Kai Kristiansen.
Fabric, Naugahyde, Teak
$8,480
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
$6,495
H 29.5 in W 21.25 in D 20 in
Set of 4 Model 42 Dining Chairs in Teak by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, c. 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Deland, FL
This elegant set of four Model 42 dining chairs, designed by Kai Kristiansen, showcases the timeless sophistication of Mid-Century Danish design. Crafted from solid teak with a warm,...
Teak
$4,782Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 87.41 in D 37.41 in
1960s, Danish design, reupholstered 3 seater "Banana" sofa, vintage velour.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish design. Refurbished-reupholstered 3 seater "Banana" sofa in quality vintage bottle green velor, two extra pillows. Ash wood legs. Brass springs in the seat and back is ...
Fabric, Velvet, Ash
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Bench and Drawers Set, circa 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in London, England
Stunning, exotic grained rosewood bench with matching, loose standing two-drawer unit which can be positioned anywhere along the bench surface. This piece was designed by Danish desi...
Rosewood
$457
H 30.71 in W 22.05 in D 20.48 in
Armchair by Magnus Rud Thygesen and Jonny Sorensen for Magnus Olesen
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Magnus Olesen
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
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Ottoman
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Square Ottoman, 1950s Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid rosewood. New foam cushion upholstered in pale wool fabric from Kvadrat, Denmark.
Wool, Rosewood
1950s Oak Frame Sofa by Magnus Olesen
By Magnus Olesen
Located in High Point, NC
An oak sofa from Magnus Olesen, produced in Denmark in the 1950s. An upholstered wooden sofa produced by famed Danish furniture manufacturer Magnus Olesen, known for putting out high...
Bouclé, Oak
1960s Danish Teak Sofa by Magnus Olesen
By Magnus Olesen
Located in High Point, NC
Immerse yourself in the epitome of mid-century Danish design with this stunning 1960s Danish Teak Sofa by Magnus Olesen. Crafted with precision and finesse, this sofa embodies the es...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 65.75 in D 31.5 in
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife three seater sofa Magnus Olesen Denmark 1956
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful elegant shaped three-seat sofa model Paper Knife no. 121 designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Magnus Olesen, Denmark 1956. This sculpted sofa features a solid te...
Fabric, Teak
1950s Oak Frame Sofa by Magnus Olesen
By Magnus Olesen
Located in High Point, NC
An oak sofa from Magnus Olesen, produced in Denmark in the 1950s. An upholstered wooden sofa produced by famed Danish furniture manufacturer Magnus Olesen, known for putting out high...
Bouclé, Oak
Kai Kristiansen Paperknife Three-Seat Sofa, Teak
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kai Kristiansen three-seat sofa with frame of teak and organic armrests. New upholstered with black aniline leather from Arne Sørensen. Model paperknife, made by Magnus Olsen.
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 26.25 in W 52 in D 29 in
Fiberglass Loveseat and Coffee Table by Magnus Olesen for Durup, c 1965, Signed
By Durup, Domus Danica, Magnus Olesen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This groovy fiberglass loveseat is by Magnus Olesen for Durup, circa 1960s, signed with Made in Denmark, Danish Control / Domus Danica foil label. Domus Danica was formed in 1965 to retail several Danish furniture makers and this piece we believe was produced in the mid to late 1960s. Included in this listing is the matching coffee table to this couch as can be seen in the photos. It's a lovely design as you can also store items underneath the glass. It needs a new glass top which we can quickly and easily do if you wish, and we can assist with that if you would like, however is often best to order new glass local to you so that the glass is not being shipped when it is could break. We are essentially including the table for free - so if you wish to purchase the loveseat only, without the table, no additional discount would be considered. This rare fiberglass case sofa and storage cocktail table...
Fabric, Fiberglass
Sold
H 28.35 in W 47.25 in D 31.5 in
Two-Seat Sofa by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen Model Paper Knife
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful bench designed by Kai Kristiansen, produced by Magnus Olesen in Denmark. This model, "Model 121" is also called Paper Knife and is made of very high quality solid teak wo...
Wool, Teak
Sold
H 28 in W 65.5 in D 28 in
EXPERTLY RESTORED - Kai Kristiansen "Paper Knife" Teak Sofa for Magnus Olesen
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kai Kristiansen "Paper Knife" teak Sofa for Magnus Olesen. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing histor...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Paperknife Three-Seat Sofa, rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kai Kristiansen three-seat sofa with frame of rosewood and organic armrests. New upholstered with Dunes aniline leather from Arne Sørensen. Model paperknife, made by Magnus Olsen.
Teak, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Paperknife Three-Seat Sofa, Teak
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kai Kristiansen three-seat sofa with frame of teak and organic armrests. New upholstered with walnut elegance aniline leather. Model paperknife, made by Magnus Olsen.
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 27.56 in W 64.97 in D 29.53 in
Danish Kai Kristiansen Teak Sofa Model 121 Paperknife, circa 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Elegant Paperknife sofa by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen - Denmark, 1960's. Excellent condition and reupholstered with a beautiful blue wool fabric (also new foam in the cushions...
Fabric, Wool, Teak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 64.97 in D 31.5 in
Danish Kai Kristiansen Paperknife Sofa Model 121 in Teak for Magnus Olesen, 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful sofa by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark. This three-seat, model 121 (also called: paper knife), is made of solid teakwood and is of superb quality. Great clean...
Fabric, Teak