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.
Scandinavian Modern Cabinet in Mahogany by Ole Wanscher, Denmark, 1940s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful mahogany cabinet by Ole Wanscher, with two sets of drawers in the middle with elegant brass handles. Jalousie doors and beautiful handles in contrasting rosewood. Great att...
Brass
Ole Wanscher Rosewood High Cabinet with Brass Keys, P. Jeppesen, 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Lejre, DK
Elegant and rare high cabinet designed by Danish professor and architect Ole Wanscher and manufactured by P. Jeppesen in Denmark, 1960s. Crafted in beautifully grained Brazilian rose...
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.
Brass
Ole Wanscher Tall Cabinet for A.J. Iversen, Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Francisco, CA
Ole Wanscher design tall cabinet for A.J. Iversen, Denmark. High quality construction and material executed in a refined Scandinavian aesthetic. mahogany case with brass drawer pulls...
Brass
$30,000
Ole Wanscher Tambour Cabinet
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ole Wanscher rosewood tambour cabinet, 1950s.
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Sideboard in Rosewood – P. Jeppesen, Danish Modern
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Lejre, DK
Elegant Danish modern sideboard designed by Ole Wanscher and crafted by master cabinetmaker P. Jeppesen. Executed in richly figured rosewood, the piece beautifully highlights the dee...
Brass
$2,686Sale Price|54% Off
Chest of Drawers by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, 1940s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Uppsala, SE
Chest of drawers or tall boy with curved front and eight drawers designed by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen in the 1940s. Made of walnut and red beech with metal handles. Very good co...
Metal
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.
Brass
Rare Tambour Cabinet by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare tambour cabinet designed by Ole Wanscher in Brazilian rosewood, brass and adjustable shelves. Produced by AJ Iversen, 1950s Denmark.
Brass
$6,900
H 50.5 in W 63.5 in D 17 in
Mid Century Modern Cabinet in Oak, Hand carved by a Danish Cabinetmaker, 1950s
Located in Round Rock, TX
Danish Hand-Carved Oak Cabinet, Denmark, Mid-20th Century This exceptional Danish cabinet is crafted from solid oak and distinguished by its deeply hand-carved façade. The front pan...
Oak
$7,075
H 50.4 in W 31.89 in D 17.72 in
Swedish Modern 1940s Cabinet from Walfrid Svensson & Co in Karlstad
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the Swedish Modern 1940s cabinet from the furniture factory AB Walfrid Svensson & Co in Karlstad. It comes with stained oak burl veneered double doors, decorated with a beau...
Oak, Burl
Teak Wall Mounted Storage Cabinet with Tambour Doors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Teak Wall Mounted Storage Cabinet circa 1970 Manufacturer Stamp on the Back Unique floating wall mounted storage cabinets. Easily mounted. Teak with tambour sliding doors. Two stora...
Teak
$4,400
H 35.44 in W 82.09 in D 19.69 in
Low Sideboard in Oak, Mid Century Modern, Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker, 1960s
By Arne Vodder, Kurt Østervig, Henning Kjærnulf, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
A sculptural low rectangular classic sideboard / cabinet in oak with plenty of storage and a beautiful carved front design. Made by a Danish cabinetmaker in the 1960s. Four doors, i...
Oak
19th Century Tall Danish Pine Corner Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century 7' tall Danish corner cabinet crafted in pine. Decorative accents adorn the door panels and canted sides, elevating the country character of the cabinet. A carved dentil...
Pine, Paint
Cabinet, Åby Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Cabinet in the Swedish Grace style by an unknown designer, produced by Åby Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1940s. The cabinet features gently curved doors veneered in teak with a band of burl ...
Beech, Teak, Burl
$2,800
H 43.31 in W 59.45 in D 16.93 in
Mid-Century Cabinet / Sideboard in Teak & Oak, Danish Cabinetmaker, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely rare cabinet in teak & oak. Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker in 1960s. Highlighted details and plenty of shelves featured in this beautiful cabinet. A fine vintage object that will complement many interior styles. A modern, classic, art deco or Scandinavian home deco. With a heavy focus on functionality, this design style leans toward modernism, while incorporating coziness. The Scandinavian design style aims to provide a way for people to live more sustainably and in harmony with one another. Honorable mentions with similar designs; Jakob Kjær...
Oak, Teak
$2,495
H 66 in W 36 in D 15 in
Scandinavian Modern Teak 2 Piece Display Cabinet or Bookcase Made in Denmark
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern teak display cabinet, bookcase, or sideboard stamped “Made in Denmark” & comprised of 2 pieces. Upper display hutch w/double doors, gla...
Glass, Teak
$5,696
H 28.75 in W 33.08 in D 17.33 in
Ole Wanscher Chest of Drawers in Rosewood for Cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ole Wanscher chest of drawers in rosewood with bass fittings. Made by master cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen. Chest has four drawers.
Brass
Tambour Door File Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century style rolling door cabinet with shallow drawers. Great for home or office storage. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Teak
$2,200
H 43.31 in W 41.74 in D 15.75 in
20th Mid Century Cabinet in Solid Oak with Glass Front, by Danish Cabinetmaker
By Kurt Østervig, Mogens Koch, Hans J. Wegner, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Odense, DK
A sculptural mid century cabinet / vitrine in solid oak and with glass fronts. Made by a Danish cabinetmaker in ca 1950s. Great patina and such a rich front design. This piece is in ...
Glass, Oak
Petite Mid-Century Tambour Door Office Cabinet
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Add a big splash of mid-century modern charm into any room with this compact tambour cabinet! Readily showing design influence from the legendary works of Florence Knoll, it features...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Ole Wanscher cabinet of mahogany
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher cabinet with doors where behind shelves and drawers. Model Rungstedlund, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Mahogany
Sold
H 55.12 in W 43.31 in D 16.93 in
Rungstedlund hardwood cabinet by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen, Denmark 1960s
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in ECHT, NL
Exclusive high board cabinet in hardwood with 2 doors and 4 drawers. This exceptional piece is part of the Rungstedlund series. Hinges and keys in ...
Hardwood
Sold
H 55.91 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
High Danish Cabinet in Mahogany and Brass by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen 1960
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian cabinet high on legs. 2 drawers which lock at the bottom, 2 hinged doors (lock at the top) which open onto 2 x 3 shelves and are held by brass hinges. Elegant pi...
Brass
Sold
H 55.12 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Danish Mahogany Cabinet by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian cabinet/ highboard. Very beautifully made piece of furniture with a high base, 2 doors that lock and open onto 4 interior shelves and a drawer. Brass hinges and k...
Brass
Ole Wanscher Danish Mahogany Bar Cabinet
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Dronten, NL
Elegant upright 1950s cabinet in beautifully grained mahogany. Two doors conceal four interior shelves and one drawer over four legs with high stretchers. Includes the 2 original b...
Brass
Elegant Danish 2 Door Cabinet in Mahogany with Brass Fittings, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Raised 2 door cabinet in mahogany with beautifully outfitted interior and brass fittings with keys by Ole Wanscher, Denmark, 1950's.
Brass
Ole Wanscher “Rungstedlund”, Mahogany Cabinet
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Description: “Rungstedlund”. Mahogany cabinet. Front with two doors. Manufactured by P. Jeppesen. Artist: Ole Wanscher Two keys included Dimensions: 47 W x 55 H x 16 D.
Mahogany
Sold
H 59.06 in W 51.19 in D 17.72 in
Cabinet, Designed by Ole Wanscher for A. J. Iversen, Denmark, 1947
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cabinet, designed by Ole Wanscher for A. J. Iversen, Denmark, 1947. Tabasco mahogany.
Mahogany
1940s Danish Mahogany Cabinet by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant quarter-sawn mahogany cabinet, finely detailed having two (2) doors revealing adjustable shelves atop four (4) drawers with handlebar bronze pulls.
Mahogany
Sold
H 55 in W 35 in D 16.5 in
1940s Danish Tall Rosewood Chest of Drawers by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and impeccably crafted tall chest of drawers in vividly figured rosewood having eight drawers with patinated brass “handlebar” pulls.
Bronze
Ole Wanscher 1950s Danish Mahogany Bar Cabinet
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Dronten, NL
Elegant upright 1950s cabinet in beautifully grained mahogany. Two doors conceal four interior shelves and one drawer over four legs with high stretchers. Includes the original bra...
Brass
Ole Wanscher Cabinet for A.J Iversen, Scandinavian
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Rare sideboard designed by Ole Wanscher. Structure in rosewood with brass knobs. Composed of two sliding doors with 5 drawers. High quality work.
Brass