Ole Wanscher, a Pair of Vintage PJ-149 Mahogany 'Colonial' Armchairs, 1960s
View Similar Items
Ole Wanscher, a Pair of Vintage PJ-149 Mahogany 'Colonial' Armchairs, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Ole Wanscher (Designer),Poul Jeppesen (Cabinetmaker)
- Design:Colonial ChairColonial Series
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 25.2 in (64 cm)Depth: 27.56 in (70 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished.
- Seller Location:Berlin, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1488224515342
Colonial Chair
In creating his seminal work, the Colonial chair, in 1949, Danish designer Ole Wanscher (1903–85) found the ideal balance between minimalism and traditionalism through a simple silhouette, slim wooden framework and plush leather cushions. While Wanscher may not be a household name today in the way that his Danish contemporaries Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and Hans Wegner are, he played a prominent role in mid-century Scandinavian design and is greatly respected by furniture historians.
Raised by an art historian father, Wanscher developed an appreciation for the arts at an early age, eventually going on to study architecture and furniture design under modernist master Kaare Klint at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. After graduating, he worked for Klint’s practice before starting his own firm. Then, after Klint’s death in 1954, Wanscher took over Klint’s academic role until his own retirement from the academy in 1973. His professional accolades include the Copenhagen Carpenters’ Guild Annual Award and the gold medal at the 1960 Milan Triennale.
An avid historian himself, Wanscher also traveled the world to study designs from different cultures and was particularly interested in furniture from Egypt, Greece and China, as well as from the Shaker movement and the Vienna Secession. He’d later publish the results of his global studies in The Art of Furniture: 5,000 Years of Furniture and Interiors. This approach, rooted in history, which was largely inspired by Klint’s own philosophy, set Wanscher apart from the segment of Scandinavian modernists who eschewed the past for the present and the future.
For the Colonial chair, Wanscher drew inspiration from 18th-century English furniture, namely ladder-backed chairs by Thomas Chippendale. He crafted the slim frame of roundwood timber, using curved armrests and legs — a Wanscher signature element — and thoughtfully placed mortise-and-tenon joints to create stability. And although the finished product radiates a sense of careful craftsmanship, Wanscher designed the Colonial chair to be easily manufactured: Its wood frame, woven cane seat and leather cushions can each be produced separately and joined at a later stage.
The Colonial chair was originally manufactured by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, for whom Wanscher also designed the Colonial sofa and the Colonial coffee table to complete the Colonial collection. Today the chair is manufactured by Carl Hansen & Søn and sold alongside a footrest. It remains a crowd-pleaser with its timeless, elegant yet simple form.
Ole Wanscher
A scholar and architect with the heart of an artist, Ole Wanscher helped define the functional, clean-cut style that formed the core of modern Danish furniture design. Influenced heavily by his world travels, Wanscher gained inspiration from English, Asian, Egyptian and traditional Shaker furniture, and he incorporated elements from these styles into his revered mid-century designs.
Wanscher’s deep respect for the use of traditional materials such as quality wood is reflected in his work, which is valued for being both beautiful and built to last. He was also a leader in the postwar “design for everyone” movement, creating many pieces intended for everyday life within the small confines of the average Danish household. Later, Wanscher became a prolific writer on the subject of furniture design. He is considered one of the most significant influences on the world of Scandinavian modernism.
The son of an art historian and a painter, Wanscher studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. From 1925 to 1927, Wanscher worked under the great Danish designer and professor Kaare Klint, who became one of the greatest stylistic influences on his output. Wanscher would go on to work as a professor at the academy from 1955 to 1973.
Wanscher founded his own furniture manufacturing company in 1929. Here he employed the top cabinetmakers of the day, most notably A.J. Iversen, with whom Wanscher collaborated for many years. While the workshop produced seductive handmade furniture with organic materials such as teak and mahogany, Wanscher intended to design durable seating, tables and more for the mass market — he was committed to making quality furniture available to a wider audience.
Of all of Wanscher’s designs, he is perhaps best known for his Colonial chair. This piece — which is part of a collection for Danish manufacturer P. Jeppesens that includes a sofa and a coffee table — exemplifies his penchant for combining minimalist design with traditional craftsmanship. Wanscher’s dining room tables, such as the Rungstedlund table, also epitomize the elegance of his work’s simple silhouettes and careful construction. These sleek tables serve as an ideal centerpiece for both modern and traditionally styled dining rooms, highlighting the versatility of Wanscher’s work.
Wanscher received a gold medal for his exemplary work at the 1960 Milan Triennale. He also received the Copenhagen Carpenters’ Guild Annual Award. Though Wanscher passed away in 1985, his iconic designs and scholarly writings remain relevant to this day.
Find vintage Ole Wanscher tables, seating and case pieces on 1stDibs.
- Sculptural Danish Easy Chairs, Solid Teak, 1960sLocated in Berlin, DEA pair of rare sculptural teak armchairs, Danish work from the 1960s. Absolute eye catcher and quite comfortable. Excellent vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsTeak
$3,845 / set - Diamond Armchair, Sweden, 1960sLocated in Berlin, DEDiamond shaped armchair, Sweden, 1960s, stained wood, brass, leather, fabric upholstery.Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Børge Mogensen, Pair of Rare 'BM1' Armchairs in Oak and Cane, Sweden, 1960sBy C.M. Madsen, Børge MogensenLocated in Berlin, DEA fantastic pair of Børge Mogensen 'BM1' armchairs in patinated oak and cane. Great original vintage condition. Executed by C.M.Madsens Fabriker, Haarby, Denmark, in the 1960s. Pro...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsCane, Oak
- Edvin Helseth, Set of 5 Armchairs in Pinewood, Norway, 1960sBy Trybo, Edvin HelsethLocated in Berlin, DEA set of 5 rare dining chairs with armrests, designed by Edvin Helseth in 1965 in Norway and manufactured by Trybo. The chairs are made of solid pine with a tilting mounted backrest...Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsPine
- Large Louis XV Regence Armchair in Walnut & Linen, 18th CenturyLocated in Berlin, DEA large and comfortable Louis XV style armchair , France early 19th century. Upholstered in a grey/ blue linen, the frame in walnut with excellent patina.Category
Antique 1790s French Louis XV Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLinen, Walnut
- Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Lounge Chairs in Pine, Luxus, Sweden, 1970By Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Luxus VittsjöLocated in Berlin, DEA pair of large, great and rare easy chairs by Swedish designers Uno & Östen Kristiansson. Executed by Luxus in Sweden 1970. Solid pine and original upholstery. Extremely comfortable...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsPine
- Ole Wanscher armchair Model "Colonial" PJ 149 , Denmark, 1960By Ole WanscherLocated in Paris, FROle Wanscher, armchairs, "Colonial Chair PJ 149", Mahogany Poul Jeppesen, Denmark. Rare model in white lacquered Mahogany Good condition A pair is available, the price for 1 item.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLacquer, Wood
- Ole Wanscher Lounge Chair, Model PJ112, stained ash, 1960sBy Poul Jeppesen, Ole WanscherLocated in Esbjerg, DKOle Wanscher lounge chair new upholstered in brandy coloured aniline leather. Made of solid stained ash. Model PJ 112, made by Poul Jeppesen.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Ash
- PJ 149 “Colonial” Armchair by Ole Wanscher, Denmark, 1949By Ole WanscherLocated in Utrecht, NLThe Colonial chair is one of Danish designer, Ole Wanscher’s key designs, drawing influence from British and French colonial furniture from t...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Pair of Ole Wanscher Colonial Armchair Model 149By Carl Hansen & Søn, Ole WanscherLocated in Oakland, CAA pair of Ole Wanscher Colonial 149 armchairs in walnut, with cane seats and green fabric cushions. These are newer production pieces produced within the last 25 years or so. Sculpt...Category
Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
$5,500 / set - PJ 149 Colonial chair with footstool by Ole WanscherBy Ole WanscherLocated in Copenhagen, DKPJ 149 - 'Colonial Chair' in walnut and black leather with matching stool. By Ole Wanscher / P. J FurnitureCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- PJ 149 Colonial chair with footstool by Ole WanscherBy Ole WanscherLocated in Copenhagen, DKColonial chair with matching footstool in walnut and black leather. By Ole Wanscher / P.J FurnitureCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut