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.
Sideboard Cabinet in Light Walnut by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, 1940s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Cabinet for tableware designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by A.J. Iversen in the 1940s. Crafted in light walnut with elegant proportions and precise cabinetmaking details. The mode...
Walnut
Danish Mid Century Solid Teak Sideboard by Ole Wanscher, Circa 1960s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Surrey, GB
Danish mid century solid teak sideboard designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesens Mobelfabrik, circa 1960s. 3 doors with brass keys and hinges. 2 ...
Teak
Midcentury Modern Mahogany Sideboard by Ole Wanscher, 1940s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant mahogany sideboard by Ole Wanscher, with a set of drawers in the middle with elegant brass handles. Jalousie doors on either side hiding shelves inside. Great attention to d...
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Sideboard for Iversen, Scandinavian Design
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
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
1960s Ole Wanscher Fully Restored and Refinished Rungstedlund Mahogany Sideboard
By Ole Wanscher, Snedkergaarden
Located in Knebel, DK
Ole Wanscher Fully Restored and Refinished Rungstedlund Sideboard The elegant and spacious sideboard with it's minimalistic yet exquisite luxury expression is part of the Rungstedlu...
Mahogany
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...
Brass
Ole Wanscher Brazilian Rosewood Sideboard
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian Rosewood sideboard designed by Ole Wanscher, 1955: a timeless masterpiece showcasing the unparalleled craftsmanship of midcentur...
Rosewood
1960s Ole Wanscher Set of Dining Table, Sideboard, Side Table and 12 Chairs
By Ole Wanscher, Snedkergaarden
Located in Knebel, DK
Large Ole Wanscher Rungstedlund dining set consisting of expandable dining table with 3 table leafs, 10 dining chairs, 2 armchairs, sideboard and side table / serving table / bar tab...
Mahogany
$17,186
H 38.59 in W 72.45 in D 26.78 in
EXQUISITE FULLY RESTORED ENGLISH GEORGE III CiRCA 1780 FLAMED HARDWOOD SIDEBOARD
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime King George III circa 1780 English flamed mahogany sideboard that has been fully restored Please note th...
Hardwood
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Sideboard, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Sideboard, 1960s. Stunning Scandinavian Modern rosewood/palisander cabinet with vivid grain pattern. Double hinged doors with brass hinges and locks with...
Santos Rosewood
$3,767
H 31.5 in W 73.23 in D 21.03 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Cabinetmaker Sideboard in Solid Oak, 1960s
Located in Rødding, DK
This Danish cabinetmaker sideboard in solid oak is a refined example of Scandinavian Modern design, combining clean architectural lines with subtle Arts & Crafts influences and a...
Brass
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Sideboard, 1960s
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Low Rosewood sideboard, 1960s Beautiful Danish Modern low sideboard in minimalistic style attributed to Danish designer Arne Vodder for Sibast. Front with...
Rosewood
Scandinavian Modern Sideboard 'Bastone', 200, Black Oak
By Poiat, Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Paris, IDF
Sideboard 'Bastone' designed by Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Dimensions : H. 80 cm / W. 200 cm / D. 50 cm Model shown in the picture : - Color : Black Oak - Without doors ---- Designed by the award-winning master cabinet maker and designer Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Furniture, the Bastone Low Sideboard creates a natural continuum to the Bastone Collection. Standing at the forefront of art and design, the Bastone cabinets and sideboards showcase Hartikainen’s interest in studying light and shadow and his appreciation of craftsmanship. By expanding the collection with a lower-sized version, the Bastone Low Sideboard introduces the opportunity for media console use...
Oak
1940s Mirrored French Sideboard
Located in Miami, FL
Superb two door Eglomise Mirrored French sideboard. Patinated Wrought iron base , eglomise and pink mirror .
Wrought Iron
Danish Mid-Century Teak Sideboard by Skovby, 1960s.
By Skovby Møbelfabrik A/S 1
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Teak Sideboard by Skovby, 1960s. Very classic and iconic type of low credenza of the Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern era. This sideboard features three sliding ...
Teak
Vintage Mid-Century Danish Lowboard / Sideboard in Teak, 1960s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Vintage teak sideboard from 1960s Denmark with a clean mid-century modern design. The long, low structure features a balanced layout with two doors on each side and four flat-front d...
Teak
Mid Century Teak Compact Sideboard, 1960s
Located in South Shields, GB
A compact mid-century teak sideboard dating from the 1960s, with clean lines and a warm teak veneer. The long, low form is fitted with six drawers, each finished with original ov...
Teak
Danish Mid-Century Oak Sideboard by Skovby, 1960s.
By Skovby Møbelfabrik A/S 1
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Oak Sideboard by Skovby, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern low sideboard in dark brown stained oak manufactured by Skovby Denmark in the 1960s. Makers label ...
Oak
Oak Sideboard, France, 1940s
By De Coene Frères, Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
J.A.D.A Galerie presents: A two door sideboard in solid oak, made in France in the 1940s, in the vocabulary of the French workshops that reduced Art Deco ornament to a repeated geom...
Oak
Italian 1940s Bold Six Drawers Sideboard in Light Wood.
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1940s Bold Six Drawers Sideboard in Light Wood.
Wood
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H 32.375 in W 71 in D 19.25 in
Mid Century Danish Wood Sideboard Cabinet or Credenza by Ole Wanscher
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Detroit, MI
This iconic vintage mid century credenza modern credenza or sideboard cabinet designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by Poul Jeppesen Furniture was made in Denmark circa 1960. This “R...
Brass
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H 32.49 in W 70.87 in D 19.1 in
Sideboard Made In Mahogany By Ole Wanscher For P. Jeppesen From 1960s
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Mahogany sideboard, designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by P. Jeppesen in the 1960s. The sideboard has three doors on the front, which open up to spacious storage compartments ...
Mahogany
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H 48.04 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
Teak Highboard by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen, 1960s, Danish Design
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Danish Highboard in beautiful teak wood. The piece was designed and made in 1960s and is a great example of Danish Mid Century Design in its best. It features two storage sections, e...
Teak
Mid Century Modern Highboard by Ole Wanscher for Rungstedlund
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mid Century Modern Highboard by Ole Wanscher for Rungstedlund featuring Mahogany Wood. Ole Wanscher was a Danish furniture designer. He wa...
Mahogany
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H 32.5 in W 71 in D 19 in
Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen Rungstedlund Series Sideboard in Mahogany
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Norwalk, CT
An iconic piece of Danish design history, the Rungstedlund sideboard by Ole Wanscher is timeless in its exquisite luxury and minimalist silhouette. Produced by Poul Jeppesens Furnitu...
Wood
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H 31.5 in W 86.62 in D 18.9 in
Mid century Rungstedlund sideboard by Ole Wanscher for Jeppesen, Denmark 1960s
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in ECHT, NL
Exclusive sideboard in hardwood with 2 double doors. This exceptional piece is part of the Rungstedlund series. Hinges and keys in brass, veneered inside out with beautiful trays....
Brass
Ole Wanscher Mahogany Sideboard Poul Jeppesen
By Ole Wanscher
Located in PARIS, FR
Ole Wanscher mahogany sideboard, from the 1960s produced by Poul Jeppesen. This pure and elegant design is highlighted by the nuanced color of th...
Brass
Sideboard by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
'Rungstedlund' sideboard in dark mahogany. Ole Wanscher / P. Jeppesen.
Mahogany
Sideboard by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
'Rungstedlund' sideboard in mahogany w. three doors and interior. Maker P.J Furniture.
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Teak Sideboard A.J. Iversen Denmark 1940
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful elegant sideboard designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by A.J. Iversen, Denmark 1940. This well-crafted sideboard features five centered drawers with brass handles and...
Brass
Sideboard by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
"Rungstedlund" sideboard in rosewood. Maker PJ Furniture.
Rosewood
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H 36.23 in W 66.54 in D 18.12 in
Sideboard, Model 1761 in Light Mahogany by Ole Wanscher and Fritz Hansen, 1943
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Sideboard, model 1761, designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in 1943. The cabinet is of light mahogany with four drawers, two doors and in great vintage condition...
Mahogany