In 1964, Danish designer Ole Wanscher (1903–85) created for P. Jeppesens a successor to his popular 1949 Colonial chair that maintained its high quality of craftsmanship with a little extra room. The two-seater Colonial sofa, with its loose cushions on a cotton webbing base and elegant double center wooden legs, is an update on a nostalgic style that channels the functionality of Scandinavian mid-century design.
The son of an art historian, Wanscher was fascinated with the history and culture of furniture, having studied under design master Kaare Klint and traveled the world to explore different vernacular traditions. Although he adopted the minimal tenets of modernism, he did not believe in totally overlooking the past. He drew on influences from ancient Egypt and China as well as the Shaker and Viennese Secession movements. He also published extensively on this heritage — his books include The Art of Furniture: 5,000 Years of Furniture and Interiors.
Wanscher was especially drawn to 18th-century English furniture created by designers like cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale, who heavily inspired his Colonial series. Along with the chair and sofa, the series has a coffee table and footrest, all featuring the meticulous bracing that gives strength to their graceful designs. The Colonial sofa also shares the curved armrests that were a Wanscher signature. The refined two-seater was meant for the mass market yet manufactured to stand the test of time, both aesthetically and structurally. In 2015, Danish furniture company Carl Hansen & Søn reintroduced the sofa design as part of a relaunch of the whole Colonial series.
Colonial 2-Seat Sofa Model OW149-2 Made In Rosewood By Ole Wanscher From 1960s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Colonial 2-seater sofa, model OW149-2, is a magnificent piece of furniture created by the renowned Danish furniture designer Ole Wanscher in collaboration with the manufacturer P. Je...
Leather, Rosewood
Colonial 2-seater Sofa in Rosewood by Ole Wanscher model "OW149-2", P. Jeppesen
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Colonial 2-seater sofa, model OW149-2, designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by P. Jeppesen around 1960. Made in rosewood with woven seat and loose cushions. Ole Wanscher was a centr...
Rosewood
Sofa “Colonial” Designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen, Denmark, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sofa ‘Colonial’ designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen, Denmark, 1960s. Brazilian rosewood and black leather. Measurements: H: 60 cm/ 1' 11 5/8" W: 123.5 cm/ 4' 5/8" D: 66 cm/ 2...
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Three-Seat Sofa
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher three-seat sofa new upholstered with light grey 100 % New Zealand Divina wool. Made of solid mahogany. Model Senator, made by France & Son.
Wool, Mahogany
Danish 1950's 3-seat sofa by To Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super elegant sofa by Ole Wanscher for Cabinet maker A.J. Iversen ca. mid 1950's. Very elegant design raised on teak legs with stretchers (usually seen in Kaare Klint's fam...
Wool, Teak
$7,500
H 29 in W 66 in D 27 in
Angel Pazmino Rosewood & Leather, Three-Seat Sofa, Made in Equador, 1960's
By Muebles De Estilo
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Angel Isaac Pazmino for Muebles de Estilo Solid Rosewood and Russet Leather Sofa. Featuring rugged handcrafted Rosewood peg construction, comfortable heavy strapped Leather with cris...
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair in Rosewood
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Francisco, CA
Ole Wanscher design "Colonial" chair for Paul Jeppsen, Denmark. Made with a solid rosewood frame and cane seat with chocolate brown leather cushions, labeled.
Rosewood
$7,834 / set
H 32.68 in W 25.6 in D 27.56 in
PJ 149 - Pair of 'Colonial' chairs in Mahogany by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, PJ Furniture
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PJ 149 - 'Colonial Chair' armchair in patinated mahogany with newly upholstered cushions in 'End Paper Velvet' fabric. Manufacturer's mark from PJ Furniture. Designed by Ole Wanscher.
Fabric, Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Teak 'Senator' Sofa
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This teak high-back two-seat sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher as part of his 'Senator' line, circa 1960s. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Upholstery, Teak
1960s Daybed, Ole Wanscher
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic 3-seater sofa with daybed function from the 1960s. Model Senator by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen. High-quality solid teak frame. The seat and backrest have been reupholstered...
Fabric, Teak
Ole Wanscher Sofa for A. J. Iverson
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in New York, NY
Ole Wanscher Sofa for A. J. Iversen newly upholstered in Kravet tight Boucle. A sofa with a raised, tight back and sloping arms, outward swept rear legs retaining the original horse...
Bouclé, Oak
$2,672 / set
H 30.32 in W 68.9 in D 32.68 in
Danish Lounge Chair and 3-Seater Sofa by Ole Wanscher for PJ Møbler, 1960s.
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Lounge Chair and 3 Seater Sofa by Ole Wanscher for PJ Møbler, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern living room set designed by professor Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens Mø...
Wool, Mahogany
$3,510
H 29.53 in W 49.22 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Two-Seat Sofa, Senator Series, Teak Couch by Ole Wanscher
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: approx. 125 × 75 × 80 cm (49.2 × 29.5 × 31.5 in) (Width × Height × Depth) Elegant Mid-Century modern two-seater sofa by Ole Wanscher, produced by France & Son (Cado) as ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
$4,372
H 33.47 in W 26.78 in D 25.6 in
Model "Colonial" / OW149 Armchair, Ole Wanscher, Carl Hansen & Søn, 2000s
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model "Colonial" / OW149 armchair, design Ole Wanscher, manufactured by Carl Hansen & Søn, 2000s. Soaped oak frame, leather upholstery. Rattan details. Marked. Good vintage condition...
Leather, Oak
$4,846
H 29.53 in W 71.66 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Three Seat Sofa Senator, Danish Design Teak Couch by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 182 x 75 x 80 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This Mid Century three seat sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher for the Sentator Series for France and Son in the 1950s. This mod...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher colonial sofa new upholstered with Indian red elegance aniline leather. Made in mahogany. Model PJ 149 colonial chair, made b...
Leather, Mahogany
