Skip to main content
Colonial Sofa
Iconic Designs

Colonial Sofa

About the Design

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.

Wanscher Colonial Sofa

to
3
3
6
5
5
2
1
OW149-2 Colonial Sofa in Walnut Oil by Ole Wanscher
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
The OW149-2 Colonial sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher in 1964. Manufactured in very small quantities, the design was virtually unknown until Carl Hansen & S...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas

Materials

Walnut, Leather

OW149-2 Colonial Sofa in Oak White Oil by Ole Wanscher
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
The OW149-2 colonial sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher in 1964. Manufactured in very small quantities, the design was virtually unknown until Carl Hansen & Søn launched the entire Co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas

Materials

Oak, Leather

OW149-2 Colonial Sofa in Oak Painted Black by Ole Wanscher
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
The OW149-2 Colonial sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher in 1964. Manufactured in very small quantities, the design was virtually unknown until Carl Hansen & Søn launched the entire Co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Sofas

Materials

Oak, Leather

Set Teak 3-Seater Senator Bench & Chair by Ole Wanscher for PJ Furniture A/S
By PJ Furniture, Ole Wanscher
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Set teak 3-seater senator bench & chair by Ole Wanscher for PJ Furniture A/S,1960s, This is a beautiful set of a three-seater sofa and 1 armchair from the 1960s by Ole Wanscher fo...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Teak

Sofa “Colonial” Designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen, Denmark, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brazilian rosewood and black leather.
Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Colonial 2-Seat Sofa, Model OW149-2, by Ole Wanscher, 1960s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Colonial 2-seat sofa, model OW149-2, designed by Ole Wanscher in 1964 and manufactured by P. Jeppesen in the 1960s. The sofa is of rosewood with black leather cushions and is in grea...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Related Items
Leather Sofa by Ole Wanscher
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sofa with a raised, tight back and sloping arms, retaining the original tan leather upholstery, on rosewood legs.
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

  • Leather Sofa by Ole Wanscher
  • Leather Sofa by Ole Wanscher
  • Leather Sofa by Ole Wanscher
  • Leather Sofa by Ole Wanscher
H 38 in. W 78 in. D 26 in.
Vintage Scandinavian 3-Seater Senator Sofa and Chair by Ole Wanscher for Cado
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This elegant Senator lounge set, consists of a three-seater sofa and armchair, was designed by Ole Wanscher for the Danish Cado manufacture in the 1960s. The frame is made of wood in...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Colonial Armchair PJ 149 by Ole Wanscher in White Lacquer, Denmark, 1960
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Paris, FR
Ole Wanscher, armchairs, a pair, "Colonial Chair PJ 149", Mahogany Poul Jeppesen, Denmark. Rare model in white lacquered Mahogany Good condition A pair is available, the price for...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany, Lacquer

Ole Wanscher Sofa for Cado, 1960s Danish Design
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic 3-seater-sofa from the 1960s. Model Senator by Ole Wanscher for CADO. High-quality solid teak frame. The sofa has been reupholstered and covered with a high-quality gray upho...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

  • Ole Wanscher Sofa for Cado, 1960s Danish Design
  • Ole Wanscher Sofa for Cado, 1960s Danish Design
  • Ole Wanscher Sofa for Cado, 1960s Danish Design
  • Ole Wanscher Sofa for Cado, 1960s Danish Design
H 31.5 in. W 70.87 in. D 27.17 in.
Ole Wanscher Three Seat Sofa in Red Leather and Teak
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, three-seater sofa, leather, teak, Denmark, 1950s. This sofa, upholstered in nicely but smooth aged red leather upholstery is still in a ...
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Teak

Danish Armchair in Oak and New Fabric, Model Ow 149 "Colonial Chair" Ole Wansher
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian armchair. Backrest and seat completely redone in cream terry fabric. Remarkable woodwork, finesse and elegance. Very high comfort. Very nice piece of furniture.
Category

Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Ole Wanscher Two-Seat Sofa
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher two-seat sofa new upholstered with vintage aniline leather. Made of solid teak. Model senator, made by Cado.
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Teak

  • Ole Wanscher Two-Seat Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Two-Seat Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Two-Seat Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Two-Seat Sofa
H 34.65 in. W 48.04 in. D 27.56 in.
Yngve Ekström for Swedese Grey Fabric 2 Seat Sofa, 1960s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in London, GB
Yngve Ekström was one of the most important figures in the evolution of the Scandinavian Modernism movement and co-founder of the furniture design company Swedese. This 2-seat sofa is constructed from a pine wood frame with sleek lines and curved corners. The sofa is formed of two separate seats next to each other with individual seat and back cushions, upholstered in grey fabric with button tufting detailing. A fantastic example of mid-century Swedish design, this sofa would add a touch of vintage...
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Design Oak Three Seat Sofa Ole Wanscher for PJ, Denmark, 1950s
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
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 m...
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Teak

'OW149 Colonial' Chair in Walnut, Black Leather and Oil for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Glendale, CA
'OW149 Colonial ' chair in oak, black leather and oil for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Leather, Wood

'OW149 Colonial ' Chair in Oak, Black Leather and Oil for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Glendale, CA
'OW149 Colonial ' chair in oak, black leather and oil for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Oak

Fh 1668 Sofa by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Model FH 1668 - Reupholstered sofa in new lambskin with natural leather buttons and stained beech legs. Ole Wanscher / Fritz Hansen.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Beech

  • Fh 1668 Sofa by Ole Wanscher
  • Fh 1668 Sofa by Ole Wanscher
  • Fh 1668 Sofa by Ole Wanscher
  • Fh 1668 Sofa by Ole Wanscher
H 27.56 in. W 70.87 in. D 32.68 in.
Previously Available Items
PJ-149/2 Colonial Sofa by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen, Denmark 1960s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Basel, BS
The Colonial chair is one of Danish designer, Ole Wanscher’s key designs, drawing influence from British and French colonial furniture fro...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Cane, Mahogany

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, mad...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
H 33.47 in. W 48.82 in. D 25.99 in.
Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Epperstone, Nottinghamshire
Classic vintage Colonial sofa designed by Ole Wanscher for PJeppesen, Denmark. This example in ash with excellent quality down filled pillows with or...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Ash

  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
H 27.17 in. W 48.82 in. D 33.08 in.
Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Paris, FR
Ole Wanscher Colonial sofa made of wood and cane. Danish work, circa 1970 marked by Poul Jeppesen. Danish Control label. Missing cushions.
Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Cane, Wood

  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
  • Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
H 33.47 in. W 47.25 in. D 24.41 in.
More Ole Wanscher Designs
Rungstedlund Dining Chair
Rungstedlund Dining Chair
Average Price
$3,385
Number Available
11
Rungstedlund Dining Chair
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Animal Skin, Leather
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern
Shop All
Rungstedlund Table
Rungstedlund Table
Average Price
$3,618
Number Available
5
Rungstedlund Table
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
Shop All