Pair of Rosewood and Leather Lounge Chairs by Ole Wanscher
View Similar Items
Pair of Rosewood and Leather Lounge Chairs by Ole Wanscher
About the Item
- Creator:Ole Wanscher (Designer),France & Søn (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Width: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)Depth: 29 in (73.66 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU92203444692
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.
France & Søn
Danish manufacturer France & Søn is best known for its prolific output of elegant mid-century modern furnishings in teak and leather, yet its multinational beginnings took shape during the 1930s.
After businessman Charles William Fearnley France (1897–1972) moved from his native England to Denmark in 1936, he began to operate a small mattress factory alongside his friend Eric Daverkosen, a Danish cabinetmaker, under the name France & Daverkosen. Shortly afterward, Daverkosen passed away, and when Denmark was invaded during the Second World War, Charles was captured and sent to a prison camp in Germany. When he was released, the British entrepreneur set out to produce furniture in the early 1950s, setting up a shop in Hillerød to manufacture the kind of sleek beech and teak goods that were gaining widespread acclaim around the world. In 1957, France’s son James joined the business, and the company changed its name to reflect the addition.
Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, France & Søn produced a stunning array — and staggering quantity — of designs, with elegant modernist lounge chairs and armchairs, teak and rosewood dining tables and other furnishings by the likes of Finn Juhl, Grete Valk, Ole Wanscher, Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen all gracing its catalogues.
Even as there was a focus on mass production at France & Søn — and the brand doesn’t quite enjoy the same renown as fellow mid-century Danish furniture makers such as Carl Hansen & Søn — Charles France believed in making quality furniture, and the company’s offerings evoke the warmth of the handcrafted work that is typically associated with Scandinavian modernism.
In the 1960s, the company was bought by Danish designer Poul Cadovius, who folded it into the operations at CADO, a company he founded during the 1950s. Surviving examples of early work from the brand as well as modern icons by the likes of Verner Panton that followed in later years continue to be in demand.
Find a collection of France & Søn furniture on 1stDibs.
- Lou Hodges Oak & Leather Lounge Chairs for California Design Group, 1970'sBy Lou HodgesLocated in Costa Mesa, CALou Hodges Oak & Green Leather Lounge Chairs for California Design Group, 1970's. This pair has been expertly restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Edward Wormley 5499 Lounge Chairs for Dunbar, United States, c.1960By Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Costa Mesa, CAEdward Wormley 5499 Lounge Chairs for Dunbar, United States, c.1960. This pair has been expertly restored in New Old Stock Orinoka Mills Fabric originally specified by Dunbar. Each...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Hans Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear Chair in for A.P. Stolen, Denmark, circa 1952By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in Costa Mesa, CAHans Wegner AP-19 papa bear chair for A.P. Stolen, Denmark, circa 1952. This piece has been expertly restored in Kravet Couture tan & gray wool upholstery. A.P. Stolen Makers stamp t...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wool, Teak
- Jens Quistgaard Rosewood Box for Dansk, Denmark, c.1960By Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJens Quistgaard Lidded Rosewood Box for the Dansk Rare Wood Collection, Denmark, c.1960.Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood
- Erwine & Estelle Laverne Leather & Steel Bench, United States, c.1955By Laverne Originals, Erwine & Estelle LaverneLocated in Costa Mesa, CAErwine & Estelle Laverne Patinated Leather & Steel Bench, United States, c.1955. Beautiful Original Patina.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsSteel
- John Van Koert Walnut Leather Top Desk for Drexel, c.1965By John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJohn Van Koert Walnut Leather Top Desk for Drexel, c.1965. This piece has been professionally restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Ole Wanscher Rosewood Senator Lounge Chairs, 1960By France & Søn, Ole WanscherLocated in London, GBLimited edition pair of this iconic design in highly figured Brazilian rosewood rosewood, produced by France & Son in Denmark, circa 1960. Includes maker's badge under seat. The new ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool
Sold$10,136 / set - Pair of Safari Chairs by Ole WanscherBy Ole Wanscher, PJ FurnitureLocated in Sagaponack, NYA pair of oak framed Scandinavian Modern safari chairs with canvas seats and backs. Made in Denmark by PJ Furniture, circa 1960s. Measure: 23.5" arm height. Danish architect and ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsOak, Canvas
$14,500 / set - Ole Wanscher Rosewood Lounge ChairBy Ole WanscherLocated in Los Angeles, CAOle Wanscher lounge chair designed in 1960 and produced by A. J. Iversen.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Rosewood
$1,870 Sale Price44% Off - Ole Wanscher Senator Lounge ChairBy France & Søn, Ole WanscherLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher Senator lounge chair, circa 1960 Limited edition rosewood version of this iconic design, produced by France & Son, Denmark. Includes maker's badge. New cushions co...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool
Sold$6,056 - Ole Wanscher Senator Lounge ChairBy France & Søn, Ole WanscherLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher Senator lounge chair, circa 1960 Limited edition version produced by France & Son, Denmark. Includes maker's badge. New cushions covered in Kvadrat Hallingdal #103 woo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool
Sold$6,056 - Model 166 Senator Lounge Chair by Ole WanscherBy France & Søn, Ole WanscherLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Ole Wanscher Manufacturer: France + Søn Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 27″ wide x 28" deep 30.75″ tall, Seat: 16.5" tall Condition: In good origi...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak