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.
Danish 1950's 3-seat sofa by To Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super elegant sofa by Ole Wanscher for Cabinet maker A.J. Iversen ca. mid 1950's. Very elegant design raised on teak legs with stretchers (usually seen in Kaare Klint's fam...
Wool, Teak
Danish 1950's 3-seat sofa by To Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super elegant sofa by Ole Wanscher for Cabinet maker A.J. Iversen ca. mid 1950's. Very elegant design raised on teak legs with stretchers (usually seen in Kaare Klint's fam...
Wool, Teak
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.
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Black Leather Sofa with Rosewood Frame
By Ole Wanscher
Located in London, GB
Freestanding three seater sofa with Brazilian rosewood frame by Ole Wanscher. Seat, sides and back upholstered with black leather. Made by cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen. Fair conditi...
Leather
Ole Wanscher Teak 'Senator' Sofa
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This teak high-back two-seat sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher as part of his 'Senator' line, circa 1960s. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Upholstery, Teak
1 Klaus Franck & Werner Sauer Two Seat Sofa
By Klaus Frank & Werner Sauer
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid century modern two-seat settee designed by Klaus Franck and Werner Sauer for Wilkhahn in 1983. Comfortable and stylish tandem seating with chrome bases and red upholstery.
Chrome
$10,000 / set
H 34.26 in W 19.69 in D 18.9 in
Set of Twelve Classic Side Chairs by Ole Wanscher, 1960s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of 12 mahogany chairs with curvy, horizontal bar in back. Seat upholstered with patterned fabric. Designed 1962. These examples made 1962...
Mahogany, Fabric
$5,300Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 53.94 in D 29.53 in
1950s Danish 2-Seater Sofa by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Praha, CZ
Refined 2-seater Danish sofa designed by Frits Henningsen in the 1950s, featuring a sturdy wooden base and frame with period fabric upholstery. This classic piece exudes mid-century ...
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
$2,850
H 30.5 in W 48.5 in D 33.5 in
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul McCobb for Planner Group loveseat, settee or sofa. Upholstery needs to be updated as it has stains, foam is good. Price includes refinishing of legs. Measures: Seat 16" H, arm 1...
Upholstery, Wood
$9,500Sale Price|24% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
$4,873 / set
H 33.67 in W 19.3 in D 17.72 in
Set of 4 dining chairs in rosewood by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen From 1940s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of 4 dining chairs designed by Danish furniture architect Ole Wanscher and crafted by master cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen during the 1940s. Made in rosewood, the chairs reflect Wans...
Leather, Rosewood
$1,919 / set
H 32.29 in W 18.51 in D 19.3 in
1940s Ole Wanscher Pair of Danish Modern Leather Chairs by A.J. Iversen
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Praha, CZ
Pair of 1940s Danish Modern Wood and Leather Dining Chairs Designed by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen An elegant and collectible pair of Danish Modern dining or side chairs designed b...
Other
Danish 1940's Settee attributed To Ole Wanscher
By Kaare Klint, Ole Wanscher, Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and unique settee that seem to draw on famous designs from Kaare Klint and Frits Henningsen. The settee is most likely by Ole Wanscher who made...
Wool, Mahogany
$19,900Sale Price|28% Off
H 32 in W 48 in D 30 in
Rare Settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, Refinished and Reupholstered, Italy 1950s
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptionally rare and coveted settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, circa 1950s, with reupholstered white bouclé fabric cushions, refinished elm frames with incredible wood grain, sig...
Bouclé, Elm
Ole Wanscher Armchair in Hardwood, A.J. Iversen, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
rmchair designed by Ole Wanscher (1903–1985) and crafted by cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen in the 1950s. Executed in richly figured Hardwood with beautifully grained surfaces and refined...
Leather, Hardwood
$10,900Sale Price|22% Off
H 28 in W 54 in D 28 in
PK-31 Settee by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s Denmark, Signed
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This highly collected early production original of the PK-31 loveseat sofa by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen has beautifully aged black leather and patinated steel. Designed...
Steel
Ole Wanscher Pair of Armchairs for A. J. Iversen
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ole Wanscher pair of armchairs in mahogany and horsehair. Executed by A. J. Iversen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Mahogany
$9,689
H 30.71 in W 72.84 in D 29.53 in
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.
Leather, Teak
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,082
H 35.04 in W 25.6 in D 26.38 in
Ole Wanscher Armchair Model J 3063 by Cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen, Denmark, 1960s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Odense, DK
Rare armchair or office chair model "J3063" designed by Ole Wanscher and made by cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen, Copenhagen in the 1960s. The chair is made from the most exclusive hardwoo...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 48.82 in D 26.78 in
Colonial 2-Seat Sofa Model OW149-2 Made In Rosewood By Ole Wanscher From 1960s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Colonial 2-seater sofa, model OW149-2, is a magnificent piece of furniture created by the renowned Danish furniture designer Ole Wanscher in collaboration with the manufacturer P. Je...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 69.69 in D 29.93 in
Mid Century Ole Wanscher Mahogany & Mustard Bronze Settee, Denmark 1960's
By Ole Wanscher
Located in London, GB
An elegance Ole Wanscher Mahogany & Bronze Velour upholstery Three seater settee by Per Buhl Jorgensen 1960s Denmark. This piece epitomises mid-century modern style with teak open fr...
Mahogany
MCM Danish Modern Love Seat / Settee with Teak Frame
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice MCM Danish modern love seat / settee with teak frame, circa 1970s. Great lines and simple design on this elegant piece with red chenille fabric...
Chenille, Teak
Ole Wanscher Black Leather Sofa with Mahogany Frame
By Ole Wanscher
Located in London, GB
Freestanding three seater sofa with mahogany frame designed by Ole Wanscher. Sides, seat and back upholstered with black leather. This example made...
Leather
Danish Mid Century Teak Sofa by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A mid century Teak sofa model PJ112 designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by Poul Jeppeson in Denmark in the 1950’s. Having a classic Danis...
Wool, Teak
Sold
H 32.5 in W 53.5 in D 32.5 in
Ole Wanscher, Two-Seat Sofa, Leather, Wood, for A.J. Iversen, Denmark, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in High Point, NC
A rare two-seat sofa / settee / loveseat. Designed by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, Denmark, 1940s-1950s. In leather and stained wood.
Leather, Wood
1940s Danish Upholstered Settee by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A settee with the original pale gray striated wool upholstery on chamfered beech legs.
Upholstery, Beech
Danish Loveseat Settee Sofa by Ole Wanscher for France & Daverkosen
By France & Daverkosen, Grete Jalk, Ole Wanscher
Located in Chattanooga, TN
We are pleased to present this rare Danish settee by Ole Wanscher for Fance & Daverkosen. Collectors will recognize these names as Ole Wanscher is one of the most sought after names ...
Fabric, Beech
Ole Wanscher Sofa in Blue Linen Upholstery
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Ole Wanscher two persons sofa, on Cuban mahogany legs. Designed in 1960 and produced by A J Iversen, Denmark.
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Settee, 1960
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful settee designed by Ole Wanscher, produced by A.J. Iversen, Denmark in 1960 with eggshell colored wool fabric and lightly striped seat cushion on Cuban mahogany legs.
Wool, Mahogany
Sold
H 30 in W 53 in D 30 in
Ole Wanscher Danish Midcentury Mahogany Settee or Loveseat for Poul Jeppesen
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant settee by Ole Wanscher designed in the 1950s and produced by P. Jeppesen Møbelfabrik likely sometime, circa 1970. Made from lacquered solid mahogany and cove...
Wool, Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Three-Seat Sofa Made by A. J. Iversen
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in London, GB
Three-seat settee designed by Ole Wanscher for the cabinet maker A.J. Iversen, circa 1940. The sofa frame is constructed using solid wood and features solid mahogany legs. The back ...
Leather, Fabric, Mahogany