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.
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
$2,544
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
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
$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
1940s Danish Armchair or Desk Chair by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in London, London
Armchair or desk chair by Ole Wanscher A beautifully crafted Danish armchair by Ole Wanscher, made by master cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen in the 1940s. This elegant piece showcases exc...
Hardwood
$560Sale Price|60% Off
H 23.5 in W 16.5 in D 16.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Leather Nesting Stackable Ottoman Stools, 3 Pcs
Located in Plainview, NY
A captivating ensemble of three Mid-Century Modern nesting stackable ottoman stools. Each stool is crafted in a sleek square shape, showcasing a seamless fusion of form and function....
Leather, Wood
$585
H 17.75 in W 24 in D 13.625 in
Mid-Century Brutalist Pierre Chapo Style Dark Oak Side Table or Stool
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular side table or stool crafted from solid dark oak exemplifies Brutalist design principles through its primitive hand-carved construction. Four angled legs connect to a thic...
Oak
$343
H 17.72 in W 20.48 in D 14.57 in
Mid-Century Upholstered Stool or Footstool, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
Mid-Century upholstered stool manufactured in Czechoslovakia during the 1970s. The piece features a sculptural padded seat with original woven geometric upholstery in earthy green, b...
Fabric, Wood
Ole Wanscher Armchairs
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Oosterbeek, NL
Set of two very comfortable armchairs designed by Ole Wanscher in the 1950s for A.J.Iversen Denmark. Wooden frame with black leather seating.
Leather, Wood
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in W 23 in D 19 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Black leather Ottoman or stool
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Black leather Ottoman or stool. Black leather upholstery and cushion with 4 tapered teak legs. Good vintage condition. Use as a stool, bench or...
Leather, Teak
$1,200
H 15.25 in W 20 in D 20 in
Vintage Mid-Century American Modern Wrought Iron Stool/Ottoman by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wrought iron and white naugahyde "All Round Square" stool/ottoman Model #1305 designed by Paul McCobb (ca. 1960s, USA). Original condition with wear to the naugahyde from age/use (ti...
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Armchair by Ole Wanscher in Rosewood
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern conference chair by Ole Wanscher in rosewood and full grain leather. Made by cabinet maker A. J. Iversen in the 1950s.
Leather, Rosewood
Mid Century Stool or Tabouret Tulip, Germany, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare type
Plastic
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
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 P.J. Møbler, Finn Juhl, Poul Hundevad, A. J. Iversen, 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 A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
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 Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
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 Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
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