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Ole Wanscher

Danish, 1903-1985

A scholar and architect with the heart of an artist, Ole Wanscher helped define the functional, clean-cut style that formed the core of modern Danish furniture design. Influenced heavily by his world travels, Wanscher gained inspiration from English, Asian, Egyptian and traditional Shaker furniture, and he incorporated elements from these styles into his revered mid-century designs.

Wanscher’s deep respect for the use of traditional materials such as quality wood is reflected in his work, which is valued for being both beautiful and built to last. He was also a leader in the postwar “design for everyone” movement, creating many pieces intended for everyday life within the small confines of the average Danish household. Later, Wanscher became a prolific writer on the subject of furniture design. He is considered one of the most significant influences on the world of Scandinavian modernism.

The son of an art historian and a painter, Wanscher studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. From 1925 to 1927, Wanscher worked under the great Danish designer and professor Kaare Klint, who became one of the greatest stylistic influences on his output. Wanscher would go on to work as a professor at the academy from 1955 to 1973.

Wanscher founded his own furniture manufacturing company in 1929. Here he employed the top cabinetmakers of the day, most notably A.J. Iversen, with whom Wanscher collaborated for many years. While the workshop produced seductive handmade furniture with organic materials such as teak and mahogany, Wanscher intended to design durable seating, tables and more for the mass market — he was committed to making quality furniture available to a wider audience.

Of all of Wanscher’s designs, he is perhaps best known for his Colonial chair. This piece — which is part of a collection for Danish manufacturer P. Jeppesens that includes a sofa and a coffee table — exemplifies his penchant for combining minimalist design with traditional craftsmanship. Wanscher’s dining room tables, such as the Rungstedlund table, also epitomize the elegance of his work’s simple silhouettes and careful construction. These sleek tables serve as an ideal centerpiece for both modern and traditionally styled dining rooms, highlighting the versatility of Wanscher’s work.

Wanscher received a gold medal for his exemplary work at the 1960 Milan Triennale. He also received the Copenhagen Carpenters’ Guild Annual Award. Though Wanscher passed away in 1985, his iconic designs and scholarly writings remain relevant to this day.

Find vintage Ole Wanscher tables, seating and case pieces on 1stDibs.

Iconic Designs from Ole Wanscher
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair
Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair
Rungstedlund Dining Chair
Rungstedlund Dining Chair
Wanscher Colonial Sofa
Wanscher Colonial Sofa
Rungstedlund Table
Rungstedlund Table
Reversible Teak & Formica Coffee Table by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen, Signed
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A classic 1960s reversible coffee table by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen, which can also be used as an end table, side table or occasional tab...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher

Materials

Formica, Teak

Ole Wanscher Mahogany Sideboard Poul Jeppesen
By Ole Wanscher
Located in PARIS, FR
Ole Wanscher mahogany sideboard, from the 1960s produced by Poul Jappesen. This pure and elegant design is highlighted by the nuanced color of th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher

Materials

Mahogany

  • Ole Wanscher Mahogany Sideboard Poul Jeppesen
  • Ole Wanscher Mahogany Sideboard Poul Jeppesen
  • Ole Wanscher Mahogany Sideboard Poul Jeppesen
  • Ole Wanscher Mahogany Sideboard Poul Jeppesen
H 32.68 in. W 19.3 in. D 70.87 in.
Senator Armchair by Ole Wanscher for France & Son
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Vintage armchair by Ole Wanscher for France and Son, Denmark, 60's Teak armchair, “Senator” model with flat armrests. Good condition. It has the publisher’s label: France and Son,...
Category

1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher

Materials

Teak

  • Senator Armchair by Ole Wanscher for France & Son
  • Senator Armchair by Ole Wanscher for France & Son
  • Senator Armchair by Ole Wanscher for France & Son
  • Senator Armchair by Ole Wanscher for France & Son
H 27.56 in. W 26.78 in. D 27.56 in.
Ole Wanscher Senator Highjack Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Cado
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Brussels , BE
Ole Wanscher Senator Highjack Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Cado.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Ole Wanscher

Materials

Wood

Ole Wanscher Armchair Imported by John Stuart Inc. W/ Knoll Fabric
By France & Daverkosen, Ole Wanscher
Located in San Francisco, CA
Armchair Model 166 designed by Danish architect Ole Wanscher crafted by France & Deverkosen of Denmark and imported by John Stuart Inc., circa 1950s N.Y. John Stuart was a collector ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Pair of Easy Chairs in Rosewood by Ole Wanscher for France & Son, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher, Frances Barker & Son
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A nice Ole Wanscher pair of easy chairs, manufacture by France & Son. This chairs are constructed out of solid rosewood with sculpted armrests. The joinery is high quality and the be...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher

Materials

Fabric, Rosewood

Ole Wanscher Senator Armchair for Cado
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic armchair from the 1960s. Model Senator by Ole Wanscher for Cado. High-quality solid teak frame. The original spring core has been reupholstered and covered with a high-qualit...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Ole Wanscher

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

  • Ole Wanscher Senator Armchair for Cado
  • Ole Wanscher Senator Armchair for Cado
  • Ole Wanscher Senator Armchair for Cado
  • Ole Wanscher Senator Armchair for Cado
H 29.93 in. W 26.78 in. D 26.38 in.
Pair of Colonial Chairs by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Nordhavn, DK
Ole Wanscher (Danish, 1903-1985). Pair of Colonial Chairs designed by Ole Wanscher. Crafted in solid mahogany with woven rattan cane seat a...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

  • Pair of Colonial Chairs by Ole Wanscher
  • Pair of Colonial Chairs by Ole Wanscher
  • Pair of Colonial Chairs by Ole Wanscher
  • Pair of Colonial Chairs by Ole Wanscher
H 33.08 in. W 25.6 in. D 27.56 in.
Browse all Furniture from Ole Wanscher
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Creators Similar to Ole Wanscher

More Ole Wanscher Designs
Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair
Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair
Average Price
$12,961
Number Available
24
Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair
By Ole Wanscher
Materials
Wood, Animal Skin, Leather, Rosewood, Natural Fiber
Styles
Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century Modern
In creating his seminal work, the Colonial chair, in 1949, Danish designer Ole Wanscher (1903–85) found the ideal balance between minimalism and traditionalism through a simple silhouette, slim wooden framework and plush leather cushions. While Wanscher may not be a household name today in the way that his Danish contemporaries Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and Hans Wegner are, he played a prominent role in mid-century Scandinavian design and is greatly respected by furniture historians. Raised b...
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Rungstedlund Dining Chair
Rungstedlund Dining Chair
Average Price
$3,357
Number Available
10
Rungstedlund Dining Chair
By Ole Wanscher
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Animal Skin, Fabric, Leather
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern
Shop All
Wanscher Colonial Sofa
Wanscher Colonial Sofa
Average Price
$12,944
Number Available
7
Wanscher Colonial Sofa
By Ole Wanscher
Materials
Wood, Animal Skin, Leather
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Modern
In 1964, Danish designer Ole Wanscher (1903–85) created for P. Jeppesens a successor to his popular 1949 Colonial chair that maintained its high quality of craftsmanship with a little extra room. The two-seater Colonial sofa, with its loose cushions on a cotton webbing base and elegant double center wooden legs, is an update on a nostalgic style that channels the functionality of Scandinavian mid-century design. The son of an art historian, Wanscher was fascinated with the history and cultur...
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Rungstedlund Table
Rungstedlund Table
Average Price
$3,580
Number Available
5
Rungstedlund Table
By Ole Wanscher
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
Shop All

Ole Wanscher furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Ole Wanscher furniture 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 Ole Wanscher furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 328 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 14 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Ole Wanscher were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Arne Vodder, Ib Kofod-Larsen, and Kai Kristiansen. Prices for Ole Wanscher furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £617 and can go as high as £41,248, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £3,886.

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