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.
Ole Wanscher ‘Egyptian’ Folding stool in Rosewood
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ole Wanscher “Egyptian Stool”. A Brazilian rosewood folding stool. Black leather seat. Manufactured by cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen.
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-Century Oak Stool or Ottoman by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: approx. 65 × 45 × 40 cm (Width x Height x Depth) A beautifully designed Mid-Century stool by Ole Wanscher, presented here in a rare oak version, produced in Denmark by P...
Papercord, Birch, Oak
Walnut stool by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in BE
Designed in 1957 by Ole Wanscher, this elegant folding stool combines timeless craftsmanship with refined materials. The walnut frame, patinated leather seat, and subtle brass accent...
Leather, Wood
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
Ole Wanscher Three-Seat Sofa
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher three-seat sofa new upholstered with light grey 100 % New Zealand Divina wool. Made of solid mahogany. Model Senator, made by France & Son.
Wool, Mahogany
$1,741
H 16.15 in W 15.75 in D 16.74 in
Mid Century Modern Organic Rattan Black Metal Stool or Ottoman 1950s Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage organic stool or ottoman or footstool from rattan and black lacquered metal frame 1950s Austria. While the slightly curved seat shows wonderful organic ra...
Metal
$13,596Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 25.6 in D 26.8 in
Ole Wanscher's Colonial Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Seattle, WA
This is a rare and in exceptional condition Ole Wanscher's Colonial Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood, with original black leather cushions as well as a new set of new Maharam Sorghum brown cushions. Poul Jeppesen in Denmark c1950s and distributed by Illums Bolighus with solid rosewood for the frame, cane seating under black leather cushion seating. Perhaps the most famous design by Ole Wanscher, the Colonial Chair PJ 149 is inspired by 17th century English furniture...
Leather, Cane, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Rosewood Colonial Lounge Chair, 1949
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in London, England
Ole Wanscher - Model PJ-149 Colonial Chair, 1949 Ole Wanscher's iconic career high-point: the Colonial Chair was designed in 1949 and produced by master cabinetmaker Poul Jeppesen in Denmark throughout the 1950s. It references colonial-era furniture from the UK and France as well 18th century American shaker furniture...
Leather, Rattan, Rosewood
Pair of Silk Parsons Ottomans or Stools
By Milo Baughman
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Silk Parson Ottomans or stools. Gingham silk upholstery covers the pair. very good condition. In the Billy Baldwin style with button top. This ...
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Danish Desk Chair by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in London, GB
An outstanding vintage Danish leather desk chair by Ole Wanscher, dating from the 1960’s. It is of amazing quality and has a gorgeous design, with a beautiful pierced lattice back. ...
Leather, Wood
Ole Wanscher Sofa for A. J. Iverson
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in New York, NY
Ole Wanscher Sofa for A. J. Iversen newly upholstered in Kravet tight Boucle. A sofa with a raised, tight back and sloping arms, outward swept rear legs retaining the original horse...
Bouclé, Oak
$2,722Sale Price|60% Off
H 34.65 in W 26.38 in D 25.6 in
Ole Wanscher Armchair Model J 3063 by Cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen in Denmark
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in London, GB
Ole Wanscher armchair model J 3063 by Cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen in Denmark Leather showing crackling and substantial wear.
Leather
$2,817
H 31.89 in W 26.78 in D 26.78 in
Ole Wanscher Lounge Chair by Cado, Teak & Cognac Leather, 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher lounge new upholstered with cognac pure aniline leather Made of solid teak. Model senator, made by Cado.
Teak, Leather
$5,523Sale Price / set|70% Off
H 35.44 in W 24.02 in D 22.84 in
Pair of Rosewood Armchairs by Ole Wanscher Upholstered with Black Leather
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in London, GB
A pair of rosewood armchairs designed by Ole Wanscher. Made and marked with label by cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen. Leather of seat and back of one chair is original. Leather of sea...
Leather
Pair Ole Wanscher Rosewood Arm Chairs
By Ole Wanscher
Located in New York, NY
Fine pair of Ole Wanscher arm chairs, in original finish, with original cushions. Solid Rosewood construction.
Rosewood
Sold
H 15.75 in W 21.66 in D 13 in
Ole Wanscher Egyptian Stool PJ-2000 of Rosewood by Danish PJ Møbler in 2003
By Finn Juhl, P.J. Møbler, A. J. Iversen, Poul Hundevad, Ole Wanscher
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
The Egyptian stool was designed by Ole Wanscher (1903-1985) and lounched first time in 1957 by cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen. This stool PJ 2000 we have for sale was made by PJ Møbler i...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 15 in W 12.25 in D 13 in
Pair of Ole Wanscher "Egyptian" Rosewood Folding Stools for AJ Iversen
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of rosewood "Egyptian" folding stools designed by Ole Wanscher for AJ Iversen, c.1957, Denmark. The stools feature sculpted wood frames with X bases. The seats showcases a gorge...
Brass
Sold
H 15 in W 21.5 in D 13.5 in
Ole Wanscher Rosewood and Goatskin "Egyptian" Stools for AJ Iversen, 1957
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Coronado, CA
A seldom seen pair of original rosewood "Egyptian" folding stools designed by Ole Wanscher for AJ Iversen in Denmark in 1957. Beautifully sculpted, solid rosewood frames with goatskin slings. The stools have been lovingly taken care of over the decades and are in their original condition with some light fading to the rosewood and some nominal dings and scrapes. Overall, they are in wonderful, sturdy condition, ready for use. They could be very easily refinished to really make the rosewood POP, but we'll leave that to the buyer. Brand new, glowing goatskin slings have been made as closely as possible to the originals with brass elements to the underside. Literature Ole Wanscher, Furniture designed by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, in “mobilia”, no. 130, May 1966, unpaginated, an example in rosewood illustrated. Grete Jalk, ed., 40 Years of Danish Furniture Design: The Copenhagen Cabinet-makers’ Guild Exhibitions 1927-1966, Copenhagen, 1987, vol. 1V, 1957-1966, pp. 20-21, illustrated. Arne Karlsen, Dansk Møbelkunst i det 20. Århundrede, Copenhagen, 1990, vol. 2, p. 36, illustrated. Noritsugu Oda, Danish Chairs, Japan, 1996, p. 72, illustrated. Information on the chair A review of the 1957 Copenhagen Cabinet Maker’s Guild Exhibition describes Wanscher’s stool...
Goatskin, Rosewood
Sold
H 33.37 in W 27.37 in D 25.12 in
Ole Wanscher, Lounge Chairs, Mahogany, Black Leather, Denmark, 1940s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of mahogany and black leather lounge chairs designed and produced by Ole Wanscher, Denmark, 1940s.
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 15 in W 21.62 in D 13.5 in
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.
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 15.75 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern "Model OW149" Stool Designed by Ole Wanscher by P. Jeppesen
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
Colonial stool designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by P. Jeppesen. The stool of rosewood and black leather. It is a model OW149 in really good condition. This product will be...
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Egyptian Stool
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher Egyptian stool with frame of maple. Seat of butt hide. Made by Poul Jeppesen.
Leather, Maple
Sold
H 15.75 in W 21.66 in D 12.6 in
Rare Danish Egyptian Stool by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen, Denmark, 1957
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Berlin, DE
Original old stool designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by P. Jeppesen, Denmark 1957. The stool comes in a great dark wood and in a beautiful patinated bro...
Leather, Wood
Egyptian Stool
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Egyptian stool in Sonokeling rosewood with original cognac leather. Period: 1930-1939
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher "Egyptian" Folding Stool
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Utrecht, NL
The 'Egyptian' folding stool by Danish designer Ole Wanscher was inspired by the stool's used by Egypt's Pharaohs 2000-1500 before Christ. In this desi...
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher - Egyptian Stool
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Francisco, CA
The "Egyptian" stool made by AJ Iverson of bleached teak and leather.
Leather
Ole Wanscher - Stool
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Francisco, CA
Ole Wanscher. Stool of ash, seat mounted with vegetable natural colored leather. Designed 1957 and that same year exhibited at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition. Produce...
Leather, Wood