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 Bar Cart / Trolley
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher bar cart / tray cart with frame of teak. Foldable top with a width of 45/90 cm. With formica top. Model Rungstedlund, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Teak
Ole Wanscher Fully Restored Rungstedlund Mahogany Multifunctional Side Table
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Ole Wanscher restored mulitfunctional Rungstedlund mahogany side table. The sidetable consist of a adjustable tabletop that can be turned to the side changing the table form a...
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Desk in Rosewood for A. J. Iversen
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ole Wanscher desk in rosewood. Executed by A. J. Iversen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Rio Rosewood Coffee Table
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Geneva, CH
Rio rosewood coffee table by Ole Wascher, Denmark, circa 1960 Very good condition.
Rosewood
$10,048 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Black Pen Shell with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Teak Rolling Bar Cart with Secret Compartment
Located in New York, NY
Crafted of solid teak, with original castors in good working condition, the upper tray is removable for serving, while the fixed lower shelf is designed to hold bottles, decanters an...
Teak
$10,048 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Cream Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Kifu Paris bar trolley in cream...
Brass
$8,536
H 23.63 in W 23.23 in D 15.36 in
Side table designed by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iverson, Denmark, 1950s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Stockholm, SE
A side table designed by Ole Wanscher and made by cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen in Denmark, executed in rosewood with two underlying shelves. The table has a rectilinear top, open sides ...
Rosewood
Danish Mahogany Desk by Ole Wanscher & A.J. Iversen, 1959
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in London, England
A rarely seen large desk from Dabish architect Ole Wanscher. This exquisite writing desk was produced by Wanscher's long-term collaborator, master cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen in Copenh...
Mahogany, Oak
$12,804
H 34.26 in W 34.06 in D 18.51 in
Midcentury chest of drawers by Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen, Denmark, 1940s
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Stylish walnut chest of drawers by Ole Wanscher with a striking veneer front and brass handles. Beautiful attention to detail.
Birch
$6,870
H 22.5 in W 27.5 in D 16.5 in
French Modern Neoclassical Brass Faux Bamboo & Mirror Bar Cart by Maison Baguès
By Maison Baguès
Located in New York, NY
An elegant French midcentury solid brass / bronze faux bamboo tea cart / bar cart with mercury glass mirrored tops by Maison Baguès embracing modern an...
Brass
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 23.25 in D 65 in
Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens Mobelfabrik Danish Teak Surfboard Coffee Table
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher, Grete Jalk
Located in Chattanooga, TN
We are pleased to present this super rare Ole Wanscher Danish teak surfboard coffee table. Designed by Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens Mobelfabrik in Denmark. You may have seen the simil...
Teak
$10,048 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Coal Black Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
Wicker Trolley Bar Cart, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful trolley table or tea cart made of a black painted metal frame with wicker shelves manufactured in midcentury in Austria, circa 1950. The wicker is in excellent condition. Wear of use on the metal particularly on the handles. The trolley is in the style of the wicker carts...
Metal
Wonderful Drexel Rolling Bar Cart Mid-Century Modern, circa 1957
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful folding rolling bar cart by Drexel, designed by John van Koert circa 1957. This piece is made of Italian walnut and retains its original finish. I love the removable solid...
Walnut
$1,934
H 30.71 in W 24.02 in D 17.33 in
Serving Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Rome, IT
Serving bar cart in wood and brass details composed of two removable glass trays by the Italian designer Cesare Lacca, 1950s.
Metal, Brass
$21,340
H 29.53 in W 78.75 in D 35.44 in
Danish Modern Mahogany Dining Table by Ole Wanscher, Denmark, 1940s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Very elegant mahogany dining table by Ole Wanscher, beautiful tabletop in rich mahogany veneer with a warm reddish-brown tone and nicely rounded corners. Exquisite craftsmanship with...
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Bar Cart / Trolley
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher bar cart / tray cart with frame of rosewood. Foldable top with a width of 45/90 cm. With formica top. Model Rungstedlund, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Bar Cart / Trolley
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher bar cart / tray cart with frame of rosewood. Foldable top with a width of 45/90 cm. With formica top. Model Rungstedlund, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Bar Cart / Trolley
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher bar cart / tray cart with frame of Teak. Foldable top with a width of 44/88 cm. Buttom tray of black leather. Model Rungstedlund, made...
Leather, Teak
Ole Wanscher Bar Cart / Trolley
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher bar cart / tray cart with frame of mahogany. Foldable top with a width of 44/88 cm. Buttom tray of mahogany Model Rungstedlund, ma...
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Bar Cart / Trolley
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher bar cart / tray cart with frame of rosewood. Foldable top with a width of 44/88 cm. Buttom tray of black leather. Model Rungstedlund, ...
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Bar Cart / Trolley
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher bar cart / tray cart with frame of rosewood. Foldable top with a width of 44/88 cm. Buttom tray of black leather. Model Rungstedlu...
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Bar Cart / Trolley
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher bar cart / tray cart with frame of mahogany. Foldable top with a width of 44/88 cm. Buttom tray of black leather. Model Rungstedlu...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 20.67 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Occasional Table “Colonial” Designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Stockholm, SE
Denmark. 1950s. Rosewood with reversible black lacquered and rosewood top. Measures: H 52.5 cm/ 20 3/4" W 80 cm/ 2' 8" L 80 cm/ 2' 8".
Rosewood