Ole Wanscher Mahogany and Brass Desk by Cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen
View Similar Items
Ole Wanscher Mahogany and Brass Desk by Cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen
About the Item
- Creator:A. J. Iversen (Cabinetmaker),Ole Wanscher (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 72.84 in (185 cm)Depth: 36.23 in (92 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU89106871713
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 ArmchairsBy Ole WanscherLocated in London, GBPair of top quality armchairs by Ole Wanscher and the master cabinetmaker A J Iversen.Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
$13,796 / set - Pine & Brass Rødby Rådhus Desk by Ebbe & Karen Clemmensen, 1953By Karen & Ebbe ClemmensenLocated in London, GBA teak, Oregon pine, and brass desk, designed by Ebbe & Karen Clemmensen, in 1953 for the Rødby Rådhus (Town Hall), Denmark.The desk is in a late Classicist style, characterised by symmetrical design and simple ornamentation. Constructed with a pine kickboard, and a teak top, the legs finish with patinated brass shoes. The top is a slight trapezoid shape tapering at the front, originally to allow for serial desks to be attached resulting in a gentle crescent curve for a meeting room. A small circular recession, intended to be used to hold ashtrays, has its original petrol blue finish, popular with the two designers, and frequently used in their Copenhagen house constructed in the same year as this project. Today, this can be used to hold a pen pot...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Poul Kjaerholm Very Rare Large Professor DeskBy Poul KjærholmLocated in London, GBAn original Professor's desk from the School of Architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark. The tabletop is a continuous piece of plywood made from ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Wall Sconces in Brass Designed and Made by Itsu Oy, Finland, circa 1950Located in London, GBA pair of wall sconces in brass designed and made by Itsu Oy, Finland, circa 1950. The form of the lights’ is entirely made up of geometric shapes; circles, cy...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Solid Mahogany Bookcases, Britain, 1950sLocated in London, GBA pair of unique British, solid mahogany bookcases, made in the late-1950s. An incredible amount of attention to detail has been paid to the construction of these bookcases, which...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMahogany
Sold$13,300 - Pitcher with Brass Handle by Carl AuböckBy Werkstätte Carl AuböckLocated in London, GBA glass pitcher with leather sleeve and brass handle by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, 1950s. The leather sleeve settles at the top third of the glass and is of a beautifully aged light ta...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Pitchers
MaterialsBrass
- Ole Wanscher Desk in Mahogany for A. J. IversenBy Ole Wanscher, A. J. IversenLocated in Copenhagen, DKOle Wanscher desk in mahogany with two drawers. Executed by A. J. Iversen, Copenhagen, Denmark.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Ole Wanscher Freestanding Desk in Rosewood Made by A.J. Iversen, Copenhagen 1959By A. J. Iversen, Ole WanscherLocated in Odense, DKRare and important desk designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured at master cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen in 1959. Exhibited at the Danish Cabinetmakers Guild exhibition the same year. T...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- 1960s Ole Wanscher Mahogany DeskBy Ole WanscherLocated in Madrid, ESMahogany desk designed by Ole Wanscher in an excellent restored condition. Denmark, 1960s This desk was designed following the mid century design rule and aesthetic, using noble wo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Ole Wanscher Coffee Table, Mahogany, A. J. IversenBy Ole Wanscher, A. J. IversenLocated in Esbjerg, DKOle Wanscher coffee table of mahogany. Made by A. J. Iversen.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Mid-Century Modern Ole Wanscher Rosewood Executive DeskBy Ole Wanscher, A. J. IversenLocated in Madrid, ESLarge executive desk designed by Ole Wanscher for AJ Iversen. Denmark, 1960s. This Desk features a solid structure and and interesting set of drawers and storage space, including two small display shelves at the front. Ole Wanscher was a key player in Denmark's midcentury modern movement. In the postwar era, the simple and refined aesthetic he achieved by reinventing classic forms helped define Scandinavian design, and many of his pieces became staples in Scandinavian homes. Excellent vintage condition, the wood has its unique patina due to time and use though it's been fully refinished to bring the deep Rosewood colour...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Black Polished Mahogany Writing Desk by Ole WanscherBy Ole WanscherLocated in Kastrup, DKOle Wanscher, Danish 1903-1985. Mid-century desk in black polished mahogany by Danish cabinetmaker and designer Ole Wanscher. Six drawers (2x3) with original brass handles and locks...Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass