Ole Wanscher Pair of Colonial Chairs in Rosewood, Manufacturers Labels, 1950's
View Similar Items
Ole Wanscher Pair of Colonial Chairs in Rosewood, Manufacturers Labels, 1950's
About the Item
- Creator:Ole Wanscher (Designer)
- 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: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Wargrave, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU839526396862
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.
- Ole Wanscher, Pair of Colonial Chairs, model PJ149, 1st Edition 1949, RosewoodBy Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens MøbelfabrikLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireOle Wanscher for Poul Jeppesens, Mobelfabrik, Denmark, model no. PJ149, Colonial chairs, designed 1949 This pair of chairs in Brazilian Rosewood with beautiful graining and patina t...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
On Hold$28,499 / set - Gianfranco Frattini, Pair of Upholstered Armchairs, model 830, by Cassina, 1950sBy Cassina, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Wargrave, BerkshirePair of elegant model 830 armchairs, designed in the 1950s by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Cassina. Each chair is supported on tapering conical wood legs, and measures 85...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Marco Zanuso, Pair of Senior Chairs, 1950s and matching pair of ottomansBy Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireMarco Zanuso, Pair of Senior Chairs, originally designed 1951, these examples likely dating from late 1950s/early 1960s and manufactured by Arflex. Accompanied by a pair of matching...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Hans J Wegner, the Chair/Round Chair, Design 1949, for Johannes Hansen, DenmarkBy Johannes Hansen, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireHans J Wegner, the chair or round chair, model JH503, designed 1949, manufactured by Johannes Hansen, Denmark Teak frame with curved back, upholstered black leather seat Stampe...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Hans Wegner for A P Stolen, Model AP-19 Papa Bear Chair, Stamped by MakerBy A. P. Stohlen, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireIconic Modern Design in the form of the Hans Wegner "Papa Bear" Chair, created in 1953 and made by A P Stolen of Denmark. Teak "paws" and legs supporting a frame newly reupholstered...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsOak
- Jean Prouvé, Pair of Standard Chairs, model 306, circa 1950By Jean ProuvéLocated in Wargrave, BerkshirePair of original "semi-metal" Standard chairs, model 306, designed by Jean Prouvé, and dating from around 1950. Constructed from plywood with the original ribbed vinyl covering and...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Enamel
- Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair in RosewoodBy Ole WanscherLocated in San Francisco, CAOle Wanscher design "Colonial" chair for Paul Jeppsen, Denmark. Made with a solid rosewood frame and cane seat with chocolate brown leather cushions, labeled.Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsRosewood
- Ole Wanscher Colonial ChairBy Poul Jeppesen, Ole WanscherLocated in Esbjerg, DKOle Wanscher lounge chair new upholstered with black aniline leather. Made of new black painted ash. Model colonial chair, made by Poul Jeppesen.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Ole Wanscher Pair of Rosewood Colonial Chairs, 1950sBy Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher PJ-149 Colonial chairs, 1949. These examples made from Brazilian rosewood with woven rattan cane seats. Produced by Poul Jeppesen, Denmark, circa 1950s. Cognac bro...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rattan, Rosewood
$31,032 / set - Ole Wanscher Pair of Vintage Rosewood Colonial Chairs, 1950sBy Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher PJ-149 Colonial chair, 1949 A fine pair of Ole Wanscher's most iconic design: The colonial chair. Produced by Poul Jeppesen in Denmark circa 1950s in exquisite Brazilian rosewood with original woven rattan cane seat and feather cushions covered in new pale linen fabric. The colonial chair was Wanscher's homage to American...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRattan, Rosewood, Linen
- Pair of Colonial Chairs and Ottoman by Ole WanscherBy Ole WanscherLocated in Dallas, TXA pair of mahogany and leather Colonial Lounge chairs and ottoman designed by Ole Wanscher for Paul Jeppeson.Category
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
$14,000 / set - Ole Wanscher Vintage Rosewood Colonial Chair, 1950sBy Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher PJ-149 Colonial chair, 1949 A Fine example of Ole Wanscher's most iconic design: The Colonial Chair. Produced by Poul Jeppesen in Denmark c1950s in exquisite Brazi...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rattan, Rosewood