Ole Wanscher armchair Model "Colonial" PJ 149 , Denmark, 1960
About the Item
- Creator:Ole Wanscher (Designer)
- Design:Colonial ChairColonial Series
- Dimensions:Height: 32.68 in (83 cm)Width: 25.99 in (66 cm)Depth: 27.56 in (70 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1975
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7883233178872
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Paris, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Hans J Wegner oak armchair Model Ch 28 Sawbuck for Carl Hansen Denmark 1960sBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Paris, FRRare Hans J Wegner armchair model CH 28 in Solid oak for Carl Hansen & Sons, later upholstery. Denmark 1960s Good condition Hans J. Wegner's CH28P Armchair, designed in 1951, incorp...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Nanna Ditzel Armchair Model 83 by Mobelfabric Soren Willadsen DenmarkBy Nanna DitzelLocated in Paris, FRNanna Ditzel armchair Model 83 by Mobelfabric Soren Willadsen Denmark. Beech wood Born in 1923 in Copenhagen, the modern designer Nanna Ditzel, née Hauberg, began her studies in ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBeech
- Alf Svensson armchair Model "Teve" for Ljungs Sweden 1960sBy Alf SvenssonLocated in Paris, FRChair by Alf Svensson model " Teve " for Ljungs sweden 1960s, in its original turquoise green leather. good condition . Leather with some sign of wear. Swedish furniture designer Alf Svensson (1929-1992) was particularly active from the 1950s through the 1970s, creating storage furniture, tables and seating for several influential brands. Information about Svensson is scarce, and while it is clear that his work encompasses many different areas of furniture design, his seating furniture is the most common in the vintage market...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Kerstin Horlin Holmquist Armchair Model "Stora Eva", 1960, SwedenBy Kerstin Horlin HolmquistLocated in Paris, FRA Kerstin Horlin Holmquist Stora Eva chair, in original condition, designed in 1958 and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) as part of the Triva series. Made in Sweden in 1960 Good ...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Jorge Zalszupin 2 armchairs model 'Ouro Preto' in Rio jacaranda Brazil 1960By Jorge ZalszupinLocated in Paris, FRJorge Zalszupin (né en 1922) Modèle Ouro Preto in Rio palissandre and original beige leather Made in Brazil around 1960 Good condition, original beige leat...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Jacaranda, Palisander
- Folke Ohlson Rare Model "Ascot" Oak Armchair a pair by DUX, Sweden, 1960By Folke OhlssonLocated in Paris, FRRare model by Folke Ohlsson, a pair of 'Ascot' armchairs made in light color natural Oak, for DUX Sweden, 1960s. Very comfortable model with a solid oak frame . Upholstered back and...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsOak
- 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
- 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
- Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair and Ottoman in oak, OW149By Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in Esbjerg, DKOle Wanscher lounge chair and ottoman original upholstered with premium aniline leather. Made in oak. Model OW 149 colonial chair, made by Carl Hansen & Søn.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Cane, Oak
- Ole Wanscher Lounge Chairs, Model PJ112, Black Aniline LeatherBy Poul Jeppesen, Ole WanscherLocated in Esbjerg, DKOle Wanscher lounge chairs new upholstered in black aniline leather. Made of solid oiled mahogany. Model PJ 112, made by Poul Jeppesen.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Ole Wanscher Lounge Chairs, Model PJ112, Cognac Aniline LeatherBy Poul Jeppesen, Ole WanscherLocated in Esbjerg, DKOle Wanscher lounge chairs new upholstered in vintage cognac aniline leather. Made of massive oiled mahogany. Model PJ 112, made by Poul Jeppesen.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany