Iconic Designs

Colonial Coffee TableBy Ole Wanscher

About the Design

With its clean lines and elegant shape, the Colonial coffee table is a quietly striking work from a master of Danish design. While Scandinavian modernism’s household names aren’t likely to include Copenhagen native Ole Wanscher (1903–85), his legacy as a designer, author and educator is integral to the field, and his postwar furniture — such as this classic table — is internationally beloved.

Wanscher studied under pioneering modernist Kaare Klint at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and worked for him before opening his own firm. In 1954, Wanscher took over Klint’s position as head of the school’s furniture department after his former teacher’s passing. Owing to copious travel and his art historian father’s influence, Wanscher studied and grew to admire furniture traditions in Egypt, Greece and elsewhere. He wrote about furniture history and incorporated this research into his own designs. Wanscher also learned a lot from Klint, who introduced him to 18th-century British cabinetry, the classical forms of which influenced his Colonial coffee table.

Wanscher was a perfectionist who constantly refined his work rather than introducing new pieces every year like his prolific peers did. Danish manufacturer P. Jeppesens debuted the Colonial series, which included Wanscher’s famed easy chair, in 1949 and the Colonial coffee table in 1964. The table was reissued in 2015 by Carl Hansen & Søn, where it is available in oak and walnut with a matching veneer top. A simple design that is understated from a distance but complex in its modern geometric appearance, the Colonial coffee table is marked by its maker’s meticulousness. Its square tabletop rests on a slender frame with an unexpected relief detail on the corners, proving that design doesn’t have to be loud to be adventurous.

Ole Wanscher Colonial Coffee Table

Mid Century Danish Ole Wanscher Rosewood Colonial Side Table by PJ furniture

$735Sale Price|54% Off

Mid Century Danish Ole Wanscher Rosewood Colonial Side Table by PJ furniture

By PJ Danmark, Ole Wanscher

Located in Basildon, London

The Colonial Coffee Table that Ole Wanscher designed in 1964. The side table's simple, timeless design supports the Colonial Series' visual expression and provides a harmonious focal...

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Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-Century Coffee or Sofa Table, Colonial Series, Ole Wanscher, Denmark, 1950s

$2,221

Mid-Century Coffee or Sofa Table, Colonial Series, Ole Wanscher, Denmark, 1950s

By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen

Located in München, Bavaria

Dimensions: 118x60x52 (Width x Depth x Height) This beautiful coffee table was designed by OIe Wascher for the Colonial Series and manufactured by Poul Jeppensen in Denmark. Typic...

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Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Ole Wanscher Side Tables in Mahogany, P. Jeppesen 1960s Denmark

$1,606Sale Price / set|40% Off

H 22.05 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in

Pair of Ole Wanscher Side Tables in Mahogany, P. Jeppesen 1960s Denmark

By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher

Located in Balen, BE

A pair of sidetables by Ole Wanscher in mahogany, produced by P. Jeppesen in the 1960's. Very good condition, only very few traces of use. H. 56cm W. 65cm D.65cm

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Rattan Bamboo Italian Sofa Table or Coffee Table, Bonacina Style, 1950s

$467Sale Price|20% Off

H 23.23 in Dm 22.84 in

Rattan Bamboo Italian Sofa Table or Coffee Table, Bonacina Style, 1950s

Located in Reggio Emilia, IT

Italian Mid-Century Modern design rattan bamboo sofa table or coffe table in the style of Tito Agnoli Bonacina, circa 1950s. Please note that the ...

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Antique 1650s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Ole Wanscher Rio Rosewood Coffee Table

$1,800

H 20.87 in W 47.25 in D 31.5 in

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.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-Century Danish Side Table – Rosewood with Lower Shelf, 1950s Design

$6,080

H 22.84 in W 31.5 in D 23.63 in

Mid-Century Danish Side Table – Rosewood with Lower Shelf, 1950s Design

Located in Stockholm, SE

Occasional table anonymous, Denmark. 1950s. Brazilian rosewood. Irregular form. Dimensions: H: 58 cm/ 22 3/4'' L: 80 cm/ 31 1/2'' D: 60 cm/ 23 1/2''

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Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Ole Wanscher Coffee Table, Mahogany, A. J. Iversen

$3,741

H 22.45 in W 55.12 in D 35.44 in

Ole Wanscher Coffee Table, Mahogany, A. J. Iversen

By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Ole Wanscher coffee table of mahogany. Made by A. J. Iversen.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Elegant Side Table in Mahogany by Ole Wanscher, 1950s

$3,500

H 22.84 in W 25.2 in D 18.9 in

Elegant Side Table in Mahogany by Ole Wanscher, 1950s

By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher

Located in Lejre, DK

Side table in mahogany, designed by Ole Wanscher for cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen. Great original condition. Measures: H.58 W.63/123 D.48 cm.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-Century Danish Teak Coffee Table by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens, 1960s

$1,759

H 21.26 in W 55.12 in D 25.59 in

Mid-Century Danish Teak Coffee Table by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens, 1960s

By Ole Wanscher

Located in Hamburg, DE

Original Danish teak coffee table by Poul Jeppesen, designed by Ole Wanscher from the 60s. Plain teak table of high material and processing quality. The rectangular tabletop is opti...

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wood Sofa Table Coffee Table, 1950s Austria

$4,443

H 22.05 in W 25.2 in D 19.3 in

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wood Sofa Table Coffee Table, 1950s Austria

Located in Vienna, AT

Mid-Century Modern Organic vintage coffee table or sofa table from wood with stunning motifs designed and manufactured in Austria 1950s. A...

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Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Italian Marble Coffee Table, 1950s

$1,695

H 18.12 in W 45.67 in D 22.05 in

Mid-Century Italian Marble Coffee Table, 1950s

Located in Oud Beijerland, NL

Beautiful coffee table with gorgeous elegant marble top and metallic legs with brass tips. Made in Italy during the 1950s. The marble has a beautiful natural design with mineral vein...

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Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Metal

Transitional Modern Scandinavian Mahogany Coffee Table by Ole Wanscher

$3,540

H 24 in Dm 33 in

Transitional Modern Scandinavian Mahogany Coffee Table by Ole Wanscher

By Ole Wanscher

Located in Minneapolis, MN

This coffee table says 'understated and timeless elegance' to us. Behold the gently undulating apron and expertly tapered legs. Designed by the professor Ole Wanscher (1903-1985). ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens Mobelfabrik Danish Teak Surfboard Coffee Table

$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, Grete Jalk, Ole Wanscher

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...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Teak

Fully Restored & Rare Ole Wanscher Floating Top Rosewood Coffee Table 1960s

$3,200

H 21 in W 55 in D 25 in

Fully Restored & Rare Ole Wanscher Floating Top Rosewood Coffee Table 1960s

By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Designed in the 1960s by iconic designer Ole Wanscher, this high coffee table was produced by Poul Jeppesens Mobelfabrik. This example is not only the rare rosewood variant, but also...

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