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 Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
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
Restored 1960s Ole Wanscher Colonial Sofa & Easy Chair in Mahogany and Leather
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
Expertly restored “Colonial” Lounge Chair and Sofa / Settee set by Ole Wanscher, made in Denmark by Peter Jeppesen. The lounge chair was originally designed in 1949 with the sofa ...
Leather, Rattan, Mahogany
Colonial 2-seater Sofa in Rosewood by Ole Wanscher model "OW149-2", P. Jeppesen
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
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
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
Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher lounge chair new upholstered with cognac vintage aniline leather. Made in mahogany. Model PJ 149 colonial chair, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Leather, Mahogany
$1,823 / item
H 33.47 in W 24.41 in D 29.53 in
Ole Wanscher Lounge Chairs, Model PJ112, Cognac Aniline Leather
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher lounge chairs new upholstered in vintage cognac aniline leather. Made of massive oiled mahogany. Model PJ 112, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Leather, Mahogany
$28,584 / set
H 29.14 in W 71.66 in D 29.93 in
A Rare Pair of Ole Wanscher Sofas, Model 1668, for Fritz Hansen
By Ole Wanscher, Fritz Hansen
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A rare pair of sofas designed by Ole Wanscher for Fritz Hansen, model 1668, with rounded tub backs, canted sides, and short block feet in stained hardwood. Newly reupholstered in a b...
Sheepskin, Beech
$8,890 / set
H 32.68 in W 22.45 in D 24.02 in
Ole Wanscher Safari Chairs in Oak & Light Canvas, Scandinavian Modern, 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Odense, DK
A very rare pair of original Ole Wanscher oak framed "Safari chairs" with canvas seats and tilting backs. Made in Denmark by PJ Furniture in the 1960s. This is Wanschers take on the ...
Canvas, Oak
$6,675
H 30.71 in W 26.78 in D 28.35 in
Ole Wanscher 1960s Rosewood Senator Lounge Chair with Leather Cushions
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in London, England
Ole Wanscher - Senator Lounge Chair, c1960s The Senator series of chair, sofa and rocking chair was produced as part of Wanscher's late career collaboration of more minimal and mode...
Wool
Ole Wanscher Easy Chair
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Oakland, CA
Midcentury Danish lounge chair attributed to Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, circa 1945 Denmark. Solid wood frame with hand-tied springs, and horsehair padding. Newly upholstered in a...
Fabric, Velvet
$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
$2,735
H 31.89 in W 26.78 in D 26.78 in
Ole Wanscher Lounge Chair by Cado, Teak & Cognac Leather, 1960s
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher lounge new upholstered with cognac pure aniline leather Made of solid teak. Model senator, made by Cado.
Teak, Leather
$1,823 / item
H 33.47 in W 24.41 in D 29.53 in
Ole Wanscher Lounge Chairs, Model PJ112, Black Aniline Leather
By Poul Jeppesen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher lounge chairs new upholstered in black aniline leather. Made of solid oiled mahogany. Model PJ 112, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Leather, Mahogany
$2,678
H 29.53 in W 28.75 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Teak Armchair, Danish Design by Ole Wanscher for France & Søn, 1950s
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in München, BY
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This Mid Century lounge chair was designed by Ole Wanscher for the Sentator Series for France and Son in the 1950s. This model i...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
$3,647
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 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
