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
$7,800
H 29.75 in W 86 in D 36 in
Large Danish 1940s Curved Sofa Model Attr. to Ole Wanscher for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superb and rare sofa from 1940's. Very similar to Model 1668 designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by Fritz Hansen in the 1940s. The model was seen in Fritz Hansen's catalog #4202 in...
Wool, Beech
$1,397 / item
H 30.32 in W 50.79 in D 28.75 in
Danish 2-Seater Sofa by Ole Wanscher for PJ Møbler, 1960s.
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish 2 Seater Sofa by Ole Wanscher for PJ Møbler, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern two seater sofa designed by professor Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik A/S Den...
Wool, Mahogany
$3,726
H 34.65 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Ole Wanscher Senator Sofa, Teak Frame, Tan Leather, Denmark, 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher three-seat sofa new upholstered with tan aniline leather. Made of solid teak. Model senator, made by Cado.
Leather, Teak
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
$3,800
H 33.5 in W 25.6 in D 26.8 in
Ole Wanscher Ow-149 "Colonial" Chair in Oak With Leather Cushions
By Ole Wanscher, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The OW149 Colonial Chair was designed by Ole Wanscher in 1959. Wanscher wished to create furniture that paid tribute to classic traditional trends but also stood the test of time. He...
Leather, Oak
$4,645
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 #166 Sofa in Senator Oak, Scandinavian Modern Design
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian modern sofa designed by Ole Wanscher in 1951 and manufactured by Cado (France & Son). Striking and comfortable seating addition to home or business setting. Please c...
Oak, Upholstery
$6,950
H 30 in W 69 in D 28.5 in
1960s Ole Wanscher for AJ Iversen New Boucle Fabric 3-Seat Sofa Made in Denmark
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1960s Ole Wanscher white bouclé fabric 3-Seat sofa. This is a gorgeous example, which has just been newly reupholstered by the well regarded Forthright NYC uphol...
Fabric, Bouclé
$9,897
H 30.71 in W 72.84 in D 29.53 in
Ole Wanscher Sofa Model 116 / Senator Produced by France & Son in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa model 116 / Senator designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Leather, Teak
$4,017
H 31.89 in W 71.66 in D 29.53 in
Senator sofa by Ole Wanscher by P. Jeppesen Møbelfabrik, Denmark 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish vintage sofa designed by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen Møbelfabrik and made in Denmark in the 1960s. The frame of the sofa is in solid teak and the cushions are still have the ...
Fabric, Wool, Teak
Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
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
