Ole Wanscher Furniture
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.
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Creator: Ole Wanscher
Recognized Seller Listings
PJ 149 “Colonial” Armchair by Ole Wanscher, Denmark, 1949
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Utrecht, NL
The Colonial chair is one of Danish designer, Ole Wanscher’s key designs, drawing influence from British and French colonial furniture from t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Colonial Easy Chairs in Mahogany, Woven Cane and Fabric by Ole Wanscher, 1960's
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Easy Chairs in Mahogany, Woven Cane and Original Fabric by Ole Wanscher, 1960's
Additional Information:
Material: Mahogany, woven cane and original fabric
Style: Mid century...
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Fabric, Cane
Dining Table in Rosewood by Ole Wanscher, 1945
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Dining Table in Rosewood by Ole Wanscher, 1945
Additional Information:
Material: Rosewood
Style: Mid century, Scandinavian
Produced by cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen in Denmark
Dimension...
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Rare Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen Set of Six Dining Chairs in Oak
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, set of six armchairs, model 'J3063', oak, fabric, Denmark, 1960s
A rare set of mid-century dining chairs model J3063 crafted by Ole Wanscher. Drawing ...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Sideboard in Rosewood and brass by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sideboard in Rosewood and brass by Ole Wanscher
Additional Information:
Material: Rosewood, brass
Style: Mid century, Scandinavian
Produced by cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen in Denmark
D...
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen Armchair in Teak and Black Leather
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, armchair, model 'PJ412', teak, leather, Denmark, 1960s
Modest pair of dining chairs designed by Ole Wanscher in the 1960s. These chairs a...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Teak
Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen Armchairs in Teak and Black Leather
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, armchairs, model 'PJ412', teak, leather, Denmark, 1960s
Modest pair of dining chairs designed by Ole Wanscher in the 1960s. These chairs ...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Teak
Leather Sofa by Ole Wanscher
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sofa with a raised, tight back and sloping arms, retaining the original tan leather upholstery, on rosewood legs.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher "Model 1675" Dining Chairs for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1940s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Utrecht, NL
This pair of classically elegant “1675” dining chairs was designed in 1942 by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark. Wanscher viewed furniture design as a branch o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Ole Wanscher Dining Chairs for AJ Iverson Snedkermester
By Ole Wanscher
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elegant design
Beautiful rosewood
Two armchairs, four side chairs.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Set of Six Ole Wanscher Dining Chairs for CADO, Denmark 1960s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Utrecht, NL
This set of dining chairs by Danish designer Ole Wanscher features distinctive splayed legs and fine exposed joinery in the back. The design is honest and simple with a refined technique and materials which makes this set a true example of mid-century Danish design.
The simple and refined aesthetic of these chairs was achieved by Wanscher reinventing classic forms. This set consists of six individual chairs, two of them with armrests. The solid wood frame is made of stained mahogany in a warm, dark colour. The backs of the chairs have delicate dovetail joints, a joinery technique where the end grain is exposed from both boards, creating a dovetail-like pattern. The legs are slightly splayed, which is a reoccurring design element of Ole Wanscher. The general style of these chairs is both accessible and elegant, employing slender and gently curved lines.
The seats have been reupholstered in a premium navy-blue fabric, complimenting the elegant mahogany frames. CADO began as modernist furniture producer France & Søn, and entered a new phase when successful Danish designer Poul Cadovius took ownership sometime between 1964 and ‘67. The company’s collaboration with Wanscher among others, paved the way for the style which later became known as Danish Modern. Like many of the other chairs designed by Wanscher, the chairs of this set are now seen as modern classics.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear due to age and use, including scratches and marks. The chairs have been reupholstered in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
20.27 in W x 19.29 in D x 31.49 in H; Seat height 17.32 in
51.5 cm W x 49 cm D x 80 cm H; Seat height 44 cm
About the designer:
Ole Wanscher (1903-1985) was an architect and professor, and is known today as one of the leading figures in the Scandinavian Design movement and many of his pieces became staples in Scandinavian homes.
Wanscher studied at the Danish School of Art and Design, and was highly influenced by his professor, Kaare Klint. After graduation, Wanscher worked with Klint between 1924 and 1927, then set up his first own office, specialising in furniture design. By the end of the 1940s, Wanscher made a name for himself for his quality designs. As the Danish newspaper Politiken put it: “'Owning a Wanscher-chair is an adventure every day, and will be so even several hundred years from now, for this is how long it lasts”.
Like Klint, Wanscher disagreed with the modernist full-sail rejection of the past and preferred to explore classic yet minimal aesthetics informed by precise study of the human body. Wanscher was also heavily influenced by Greek...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Colonial Chairs and Ottoman by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of mahogany and leather Colonial Lounge chairs and ottoman designed by Ole Wanscher for Paul Jeppeson.
Category
1950s Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Lounge Chair in Mahogany
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ole Wanscher, chair, model 'PJ 112' mahogany, pink patterned fabric, Denmark, 1950s.
This delicate Danish chair is designed by Ole Wanscher. The frame shows elegant lines, especiall...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Fabric
Ole Wanscher Armchairs Model PJ412 Produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of 8 armchairs model PJ412 designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by cabinetmaker P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher “Egyptian" Stool, Mahogany Black Leather, P. Jeppesen, Denmark 1957
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and black leather, foldable "Egyptian" stool designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik.
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Ole Wanscher “Model 1673” High Back Chair for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1940s
By Ole Wanscher, Fritz Hansen
Located in Utrecht, NL
The simple and refined aesthetic of this chair stems from Ole Wanscher’s reinvention of classic forms, for which he became a key-player of the Danish mid-century movement.
In this m...
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iverseren Sofa in Red Leather and Teak
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iverseren, sofa, leather, walnut, Denmark, 1950s/1960s
Beautiful sofa in an outstanding natural color designed by Ole Wanscher during the mid-century period. T...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Teak
Ole Wanscher Cabinet Produced by Cabinetmaker a.J Iversen in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare cabinet designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by cabinetmaker A.J Iversen in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ole Wanscher Lounge Chair
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Francisco, CA
An easy chair with frame of rosewood. Seat and back upholstered with patinated black leather. Made by cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen, Copenhagen. The model was presented at the 1962 Cope...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Rosewood Round Coffee or Occasional Table
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Hudson, NY
Ole Wanscher design occasional table in Brazilian rosewood paper label from cabinet maker Iversen.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Cabinet Produced by Cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare cabinet in rosewood and brass designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by cabinetmaker A.J Iversen in Denmark.
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early Ole Wanscher Armchair for Fritz Hansen
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Early Ole Wanscher armchair in stained beech and manufactured by Fritz Hansen, circa late 1940s.
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Beech
Ole Wanscher Sofa Model 116 / Senator Produced by France & Son in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa model 116 / Senator designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Teak
Ole Wanscher Easy Chair Model 116 / Senator Produced by France & Son in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy chair model 116 / Senator designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher “Model 1673” High Back Chairs for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1940s
By Fritz Hansen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Utrecht, NL
The simple and refined aesthetic of this pair of chairs stems from Ole Wanscher’s reinvention of classic forms, for which he became a key-player of the Danish mid-century movement.
...
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Ole Wanscher Coffee Table Produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage Ole Wanscher Sofa made by Master Craftspersons
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Francisco, CA
A sofa with tight seat and back, of blue shantung upholstery and mahogany legs. Original condition.
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Armchair for A.J. Iversen
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ole Wanscher mahogany armchair, seat upholstered with original black/brown horsehairs.
Designed 1954 and manufactured by cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen.
Good condition.
Pair ...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1950s Danish Rosewood Humpback Armchair by Ole Wanscher for A. J. Iversen
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant humpback armchair with black leather upholstery and welting on an exposed rosewood frame.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Sofa “Colonial” Designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen, Denmark, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sofa ‘Colonial’ designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen,
Denmark, 1960s.
Brazilian rosewood and black leather.
Measurements:
H: 60 cm/ 1' 11 5/8"
W: 123.5 cm/ 4' 5/8"
D: 66 cm/ 2...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
1940s Danish Black Horsehair Settee by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately and elegant modern Chippendale-influenced settee finely crafted in mahogany with original horsehair upholstery and leather welting.
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Coffee Table Produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
1960s Danish Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Designed in 1962, this expertly crafted dining chair by Ole Wanscher was built in the cabinet shop of A. J. Iversen of Brazilian rosewood in the 1960s. A graceful, minimal design con...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Dining Table for AJ Iverson Snedkermester
By Ole Wanscher
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful and simple rosewood table
Exquisite detail. Comes with a leaf.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Folding Table
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Finely made adjustable two position table in teak by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by Rud. Rasmussens of Denmark. Adjusts from coffee table to dinette height. Signed with label to bo...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Brass
Armchair by Ole Wanscher
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately and elegant modern Chippendale-influenced armchair finely crafted in mahogany with original horsehair upholstery with leather welting.
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Cuban Mahogany Lounge Chair by Ole Wanscher
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A generously proportioned Scandinavian Modern lounge chair designed by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen. This chair features an architectural exposed Cuban mahogany frame with shaped an...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
Tight Back Sofa by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sofa with a raised, tight back and sloping arms, retaining the original upholstery, on Cuban mahogany legs.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Wool
Broad Lounge Chair by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rosewood armchair or lounge chair with the original black leather upholstery.
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Leather
Desk Chair by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon swivelling and tilting generously proportioned desk chair having fitted black leather upholstery and a four-pronged brushed steel base on chrome-hooded casters.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of Safari Chairs by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, PJ Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of oak framed Scandinavian Modern safari chairs with canvas seats and backs. Made in Denmark by PJ Furniture, circa 1960s.
Measure: 23.5" arm height.
Danish architect and ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Oak, Canvas
Armchair by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A modern Chippendale-influenced armchair crafted in mahogany with original black leather upholstery and leather welting.
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
Ole Wanscher Easy Chair Model 116 / Senator Produced by France & Son in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy chair model 116 / Senator designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Leather, Teak
Ole Wanscher High-Back Armchair for A.J. Iversen, 1962
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Hudson, NY
Black leather Brazilian rosewood, elegant armchair design by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen original leather.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Walnut Coffee Table by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stunning walnut coffee table by Ole Wanscher, with a beautiful wavy rim and brass feet on the six legs.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ole Wanscher Tambour Cabinet
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ole Wanscher rosewood tambour cabinet, 1950s.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Ole Wanscher Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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 330 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 Ib Kofod-Larsen, Arne Vodder, and Niels Otto Møller. Prices for Ole Wanscher furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $759 and can go as high as $48,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,670.
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