Ole Wanscher Furniture
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.
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany
1940s Danish Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Beech, Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Oak, Canvas
1960s Danish Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan, Mahogany
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Rosewood
1960s Danish Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Fabric, Bouclé
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Oak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Wool, Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Wool, Teak
1960s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany, Wool
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Steel
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Rosewood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Canvas, Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany, Wool
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany, Upholstery
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Papercord, Birch, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Teak, Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Brass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Mahogany