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 Lounge Chairs, Model PJ112, Black Aniline Leather
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher lounge chairs new upholstered in black aniline leather. Made of solid oiled mahogany. Model PJ 112, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Leather, Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Armchairs Model PJ412 Produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of 8 armchairs model PJ412 designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by cabinetmaker P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Leather, Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Teak Easy Chair Model Senator for France & Son Set of 2
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Ole Wanscher Modell Senator Easy chair in teak wood. Produced by France & Son / France Daverkosen The fabric is made of wool and it has a unique flower pattern which made it so spe...
Wool, Teak, Fabric
Vintage PJ-149 Colonial Chair by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesen 1949
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Handewitt, DE
Vintage „Colonial Chair“ by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen 1949. Model PJ-149. Produced in 1950s. Made in rosewood and orignial cushions in lig...
Fabric
Coppia di poltrone Senator di Ole Wanscher per Cado
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Brescia, IT
Coppia di poltrone Senator di Ole Wanscher per Cado. Refined pair of Senator model armchairs designed by Ole Wanscher for Cado in the 1960s. Realizzate in teak massello, presentano ...
Fabric, Teak
1960s, Danish design by Ole Wanscher, armchair, cowhide, reupholstered.
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish design by Ole Wanscher for P. Jeppesnes Møbelfabrik. Reupholstered armchair in quality furniture cowhide. Renewed lacquered mahogany wood. Manufactured by Danish furnit...
Cowhide, Mahogany
Pair of Vintage Danish Leather Armchairs by Ole Wanscher
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of vintage Danish armchairs by Ole Wanscher. They were made by P. Jeppesen, they date from the 1960’s. The frames have a sleek and stylish design, they are of amazin...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Armchairs Model PJ149 by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of mid-century armchairs model PJ149 by Ole Wanscher for Poul Jeppesen - Denmark.
Wood
Original Ole Wanscher Midcentury Sessel Senator Couch France&Søn
By France & Daverkosen, Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Sessel von France & Son aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Sessel, der den Modellnamen "Senator" trägt, wurde von Ole Wanscher entworfen und...
Teak
Pair Of "Rungstedlund" Chairs Made In Mahogany By Ole Wanscher From 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of "Rungstedlund" armchairs designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by P. Jeppesen is a true representation of Danish mid-century modern furniture design. Ole Wanscher was a renowned Danish architect and designer known for his commitment to craftsmanship...
Leather, Mahogany
Armchair by Ole Wanscher / A. J Iversen
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ole Wanscher / A J Iversen. Rare armchair in rosewood and black leather. Model J2833. Designed in 1958.
Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Pair of Armchairs by Ole Wancher
By Ole Wanscher, Fritz Hansen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian pair of armchairs by Ole Wancher Mid-Century Modern scandinavian pair of armchairs by Ole Wancher for Fritz Hansen in 1943. Original edition with o...
Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Armchair for A. J. Iversen
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ole Wanscher armchair in mahogany and black ox-hide. Executed by A. J. Iversen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Mahogany, Leather
Teak Rocking Armchair - Ole Wanscher (Denmark, 1960s)
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Torino, IT
Teak Rocking Armchair - Ole Wanscher (Denmark, 1960s) This magnificent vintage Rocking Armchair, attributed to renowned Danish designer Ole Wanscher, is a fine expression of 1960s No...
Fabric, Teak
$5,802 / set
Ole Wanscher Armchairs
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Oosterbeek, NL
Set of two very comfortable armchairs designed by Ole Wanscher in the 1950s for A.J.Iversen Denmark. Wooden frame with black leather seating.
Leather, Wood
Mahogany Lounge Arm Chair by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A generously proportioned Scandinavian Modern lounge chair designed by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen. This chair features an architectural exposed Cuban mahogany frame with shaped an...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Broad Lounge Chair by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rosewood armchair or lounge chair with the original black leather upholstery.
Rosewood, Leather
Armchair by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, 1940s
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A modern Chippendale-influenced armchair crafted in mahogany with original black leather upholstery and leather welting.
Mahogany, Leather
$11,500 / item
Armchair by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, 1940s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately and elegant modern Chippendale-influenced armchair finely crafted in mahogany with original horsehair upholstery with leather welting.
Mahogany
$10,654
Armchair by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Armchair in rosewood and black leather. Ole Wanscher / A.J Iversen.
Leather, Rosewood