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.
$10,800
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
$9,483 / 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
$7,914 / 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 Peder Pedersen, Helge Vestergaard-Jensen
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
$3,391 / 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
$12,519 / set
H 30.71 in W 19.69 in D 29.53 in
Set of 10 Dining Room Chairs by Niels Otto Moller Model 77, Denmark 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Add a touch of Danish elegance to your home with this set of Niels Otto Møller dining chairs. Model 77 is an iconic mid-century piece, crafted in teak and featuring hand woven paper ...
Papercord, Teak
$5,195 / set
H 31.75 in W 25 in D 21.5 in
Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender-Madsen for Willy Beck Teak Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Willy Beck, Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender-Madsen for Willy Beck Mid Century Danish Teak Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 19.5 wide x 18.5 deep x 30.25 high, with a seat heigh...
Upholstery, Teak
$5,804 / 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 Alfred Hendrickx, Belform
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
$7,511 / 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
$8,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 22 in D 21.25 in L 29.5 in
Set of Six Torbjørn Afdal Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Dining Armchairs, 1960s
By Bruksbo, Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Hamburg, PA
This stunning set of six mid-century modern dining armchairs was designed by renowned Norwegian designer Torbjørn Afdal (produced by Bruksbo). Dating to the 1960s, they feature a war...
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
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
Set of Four Danish 1940s Mahogany Side or Desk Chairs with Open Armrests
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic elegant Danish armchairs from the 1940s by Furniture Maker, Erik Bjørn Olsen and produced by his own firm. The chairs were originally delivered to the Danish High Court, East...
Wool, Mahogany
Set of Six Danish Oak Dining chairs with Leather Cushions, 1930's
By Kaare Klint
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Great Danish dining chairs made sometime in the 1930's. Rustic and very elegant in their simplicity very reminiscent of the famous chairs made by Kaare Klint at the peak of functiona...
Leather, Oak
Set of Six Modern Danish Dining Chairs in Solid Pine and Papercord
By Tage Poulsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very attractive rustic modern Danish dining chair made from knotty pine around mid 1970s. Designed by Tage Poulsen in 1974. Finished in a ...
Pine, Papercord
