Throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, Arne Hovmand-Olsen created furnishings that boasted all of the alluring qualities now associated with vintage Scandinavian modern design. The esteemed Danish designer favored high-quality teak, oak and rosewood for his sideboards, chairs and dining tables. Elsewhere, Hovmand-Olsen’s side tables and credenzas feature elegant organic curves and tapered legs, while his graceful armchairs and dining chairs are characterized by slender frames and sculptural seat backs.
From an early age Hovmand-Olsen showed an interest in drawing and an aptitude for design. In 1938, he began his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker under Peder Olsen Sibast, the founder of Sibast furniture company. Owing largely to the creative direction of Peder’s son, designer Helge Sibast, during the mid-century era, the manufacturer is internationally revered today for its wide range of sleek and collectible modern furniture.
In 1941, Hovmand-Olsen enrolled in a technical school to study furniture design, and opened his own workshop shortly after graduating. He created a range of furnishings for such notable manufacturers as Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Elven Geertsen and Jutex. He found success in Denmark, but attained even greater notability when he began selling his work in America.
Mid-century-era design from this region of the world — including objects like Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair, Alvar Aalto’s undulating Savoy vase and Tapio Wirkkala’s leaf-shaped birch-laminate tray — took off in the States after the Second World War, when Scandinavia’s simple, curvilinear wooden furniture, home goods and textiles suddenly seemed the perfect foil for glass-and-steel skyscrapers.
Hovmand-Olsen closed his workshop during the 1970s. Today his work is widely collected by enthusiasts of mid-century Scandinavian modern furniture.
Find vintage Arne Hovmand-Olsen seating, tables, storage pieces and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$9,000
H 37.5 in W 18.5 in D 20.5 in
Rare Set of Six Dining Chairs by Helge Vestergaard Jensen for Peder Pedersen
Located in Victoria, BC
A rare and architecturally elegant set of six dining chairs by Danish designer Helge Vestergaard Jensen, crafted in the 1950s by master cabinetmaker Peder Pedersen. These chairs exem...
Teak
$4,654
H 29.53 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
6 Danish Dining Chairs by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, 1960s Mid Century
Located in Hannover, DE
Set of 6 Danish Vintage Chairs by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, 1960s Displayed price is for the set of 6 chairs. We regularly source this model — feel free to message us if ...
Papercord, Teak
$9,536 / set
H 29.14 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Set of Six Danish Vintage Model 42 Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen
By V. Schou Andersen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
An absolutely stunning set of six Danish vintage model 42 dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen. They were made by cabinetmaker Villy Schou Andersen in Denmark, they date from the 1960’s....
Faux Leather, Wood
$7,958 / set
H 32.29 in W 18.27 in D 19.69 in
Johannes Andersen Made by Uldum Møbler, Denmark. Set of Eight Dining Chairs
By Johannes Andersen
Located in London, GB
Johannes Andersen made by Uldum Møbler, Denmark Set of eight dining chairs with a sculptural style about them, consisting of six dining chairs and two original armchairs. The armchai...
Leather, Birch
$95,000 / set
H 37.5 in W 18 in D 22.5 in
Set of 10 Dining Chairs by Vestergaard Jensen for Peder Pedersen
By Helge Vestergaard-Jensen, Peder Pedersen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare and beautiful set of 8 sculptural rosewood dining chairs retaining their original black leather; there are six side and two armchairs in the set. Designed by Helge Vestergaard...
Leather, Rosewood
$3,502 / set
H 32.68 in W 19.69 in D 18.12 in
Vintage Dining Chairs by Svend Aage Madsen, 1960s, Set of 6
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Set of six dining chairs designed by Svend Aage Madsen, showcasing the elegant lines and sculptural presence characteristic of his best work. The slightly curved backrests offer exce...
Beech
Set of Six Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad Dining Chairs
By Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad
Located in Round Rock, TX
Beautiful set of 6 Afromosia dining chairs by Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad for Gustave Bahus & Eft, c. 1954. All seats features true yellow cording, each with a different cording pa...
Cord, Wood
Mid-Century Dining Chairs by Johannes Andersen - Set of Six
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century Danish set of six dining chairs designed by Johannes Andersen. Crafted from sculpted teak wood. The teak frames are sturdy, streamlined, and create a fantastic side profi...
Wood, Teak
$6,007 / set
H 30.32 in W 20.87 in D 22.05 in
Set of Six Dining Chairs designed by Alfred Hendrickx, for Belform "Model 500"
By Belform, Alfred Hendrickx
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful set of six dining-room chairs very comfortable seats "Model 500" Hand-crafted from solid walnut, these chairs features Hendrickx's signature minimalist elegance sculpted fr...
Leather, Walnut
$7,757 / set
H 26.78 in W 20.08 in D 19.3 in
Set of 6 Dining Room Chairs by Niels Otto Moller, Denmark 1960s
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Wien, AT
Add a touch of Danish elegance to your home with this stunning set. Niels O. Møller designed this chairs for his own company J.L. Møller Mobelfabrik in Denmark in 1959. He is widely ...
Leather, Walnut
Set of 6 Danish Midcentury Dining Chairs in Teak and Black Leather
By Erik Buch
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of six very stylish and traditional Danish midcentury dining chairs in the style of Erik Buch. Nice slim silhouette and beautiful in their simple yet refined lines. Made in the 1...
Leather, Teak
Set of Six Brutalist Dining Chairs in Solid Carved Oak by Henning Kjærnulf 60's
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of 6 Danish oak dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf made in the late 1960-70's for EG Mobler. Tags under seats. Very typical of Kjærnulf.'s designs as he was known for combining th...
Wool, Oak
Kai Kristiansen Set of 8 Dining Chairs in Teak for K.S. Mobler Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, K.S. Mobler, Niels Otto Møller
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic set of 8 dining chairs in teak with wool seats designed in the 1960s by Kai Kristiansen for K.S. Mobler of Denmark. The style of these Kai Kristiansen chairs is often mista...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Set of Four Dining Chairs in Teak for K.S. Mobler Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, K.S. Mobler, Niels Otto Møller
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic set of four dining chairs in teak with wool seats designed in the 1960s by Kai Kristiansen for K.S. Mobler of Denmark. The style of these Kai Kristiansen chairs is often mi...
Teak
Six Danish Mid-Mod Dining Chairs in Chocolate Colored Leather by Kurt Ostervig
By K.P. Møbler 1, Kurt Østervig
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of 7 dining chairs designed by Kurt Østervig for KP Mobler in the 1960's. Solid Oak and a dark brown leather on the seat and backrests. The oak has taken on a nice warm tone - al...
Leather, Oak
Set of Six Brutalist Dining Chairs in Solid Carved Oak by Henning Kjærnulf 60's
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of 6 Danish oak dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf made in the 1960's. Very typical of Kjærnulf.'s designs as he was known for combining the midcentury style with more brutalist r...
Oak, Wool
