Danish Modern Ole Wanscher Dining Chairs

About the Item

An elegant design by Danish modern designer Ole Wanscher. An elegant design constructed in a rich dark mahogany. beautiful from all angles. Please inquire about upholstery options. Professional, skilled furniture restoration is an integral part of what we do every day. Our goal is to provide beautiful, functional furniture that honors its illustrious past. Our restoration workshop is continuously refining ways to clean and restore while still preserving the patina that quality vintage furniture so patiently acquires. Restoration of this piece will be completed upon purchase.

Creator:

Ole Wanscher (Designer),Cado (Manufacturer)

Dimensions:

Height: 31.25 in (79.38 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)

Style:

Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Mahogany

Place of Origin:

Scandinavia

Period:

Mid-20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1960s

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.

Seller Location:

Minneapolis, MN

Reference Number:

Seller: 56101stDibs: LU1527237703942

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Shop All Ole Wanscher

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.