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 FD-120 Rosewood & Leather Rocking Chair, 1950s
By France & Daverkosen, Ole Wanscher
Located in London, England
Ole Wanscher - FD-120 Rocking Chair, 1951 This rarely seen rocking chair by Professor Ole Wanscher was produced by France & Son in Denmark in the early 1960s. The immaculate rosewoo...
Leather, Rosewood
Scandinavian Modern Teak Model 120 Rocker Ole Wanscher France & Son John Stuart
By Ole Wanscher, John Stuart Inc., France & Søn
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Scandinavian Modern teak rocker model 120 designed by Ole Wanscher for France & Son and sold by John Stuart Co. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use & wear. The sprung cushions will need new padding & the original brown nubby fabric has no rips or holes but has faded and will need reupholstered, it has been priced accordingly. Has a couple of repairs where the screws were put all the way through leg assembly at some point in their lives. We have repaired & replaced hardware to match. One hole was plugged, and the plug is still slightly visible. It has been sanded, stained & a teak oil finish. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1950s-1960’s. Let’s Rock… Everybody, Let’s Rock! Everybody in the whole cell block… Oh ya, you’re singing it!! Nothing like a song from the late King of Rock to introduce this Awesome vintage Rocker!!! We have a wonderful Scandinavian Modern rocker Model 120 made by France & Son, for John Stuart Co & designed by Ole Wanscher!! It wears its original brown nubby fabric and as you would expect with age and wear, it has faded, there are no holes or rips, it just looks its fabulous age. Also, its wonderful sprung cushions will need some new padding. The springs are great, just the padding. With just a bit of TLC this vintage beauty will be your new favorite Scandinavian Modern piece!! It has a gorgeous teak frame and will look marvelous rocking in your living room, bedroom, or sitting room. Maybe you have a young child or a new baby? There’s no better place to cuddle your precious child and there are tons of location possibilities with this beauty! Get ready to sit back, relax, and rock!! British businessmen Charles France and his Danish partner...
Fabric, Teak
Ole Wanscher FD-160 Rosewood & Fabric Rocking Chair, 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, France & Daverkosen
Located in London, England
Ole Wanscher - Model FD-160 Rocking Chair This rarely seen high-back rocking chair by master-designer Ole Wanscher was produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark in the early 1960s....
Leather, Rosewood
Rocking Chair Model 120 by Ole Wanscher for france & Son, Denmark, 1951
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rocking chair model 120 designed in 1951 by Ole Wanscher for France & Son, Denmark. Solid teak wood structure with cushions with new foam and new bouclé fabric upholstery. Signed wit...
Fabric, Teak
Ole Wanscher FD-160 Rosewood & Leather Rocking Chair, 1960s
By France & Daverkosen, Ole Wanscher
Located in London, England
Ole Wanscher - Model FD-160 Rocking Chair This rarely seen high-back rocking chair by master-designer Ole Wanscher was produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark in the early 1960s....
Rosewood, Leather
$4,960Sale Price|39% Off
Danish Teakwood Rocking Chair by Ole Wanscher, Vintage 1950-1970
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish Schaukelstuhl, rocking chair made of hand carved Teakwood, designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by France & Søn, in good conditi...
Leather, Teak
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Leather Upholstery Lounge Rocking Chair MINT!
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern teak leather Upholstery Lounge rocking chair MINT!.
Leather, Teak
$9,100 / set
H 30.32 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Ole Wanscher Set of Twelve Refinished Mahogany Dining Chairs, Custom Upholstery
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Knebel, DK
This set of 12 mahogany Rungstedlund dining chairs designed by Ole Wanscher were produced during the 1960s and 1970s by Poul Jeppesen Furniture. The dining chairs are part of the Rungstedlund dining furniture series designed by Ole Wanscher and named after author and adventurer Karen Blixen...
Mahogany
$4,561 / set
H 30.32 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Ole Wanscher set of Six Refinished Mahogany Dining Chairs, Custom Upholstery
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Knebel, DK
This set of six mahogany Rungstedlund dining chairs designed by Ole Wanscher were produced during the 1960s and 1970s by Poul Jeppesen Furniture. The dining chairs are part of the ...
Mahogany
Danish 1950's 3-seat sofa by To Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super elegant sofa by Ole Wanscher for Cabinet maker A.J. Iversen ca. mid 1950's. Very elegant design raised on teak legs with stretchers (usually seen in Kaare Klint's fam...
Wool, Teak
$1,866 / item
H 33.47 in W 24.41 in D 29.53 in
Ole Wanscher Lounge Chairs, Model PJ112, Cognac Aniline Leather
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher lounge chairs new upholstered in vintage cognac aniline leather. Made of massive oiled mahogany. Model PJ 112, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Leather, Mahogany
$4,800 / set
H 32 in W 26.5 in D 29 in
Pair of Ole Wanscher for France and Son "Senator" Chairs in Teak
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Danish modern easy chairs (model 116) designed by Ole Wanscher for France & Son. Composed of a dense slat-back frame, designed with a partially exposed back to better reveal ...
Teak, Leather
Ole Wanscher Colonial Chair
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher lounge chair new upholstered with cognac vintage aniline leather. Made in mahogany. Model PJ 149 colonial chair, made by Poul Jeppesen.
Leather, Mahogany
George Nakashima Slab-Arm Rocker
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example of this form. The family requested an extra wide slab -arm. Signed with the clients name.
Wood
$2,916
H 29.53 in W 24.41 in D 27.56 in
Henning Kjærnulf Oak & Leather Rocking Chair, Scandinavian Modern
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Rocking chair by Henning Kjærnulf new upholstered with shearling. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with mid-century modernism. Model: Razorblade Made by ...
Leather, Oak
Ole Wanscher Easy Chair
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Oakland, CA
Midcentury Danish lounge chair attributed to Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, circa 1945 Denmark. Solid wood frame with hand-tied springs, and horsehair padding. Newly upholstered in a...
Fabric, Velvet
$3,392 / set
H 33.47 in W 24.41 in D 29.53 in
1950s Ole Wanscher Set of Two Lounge Chairs in Mahogany - choice of upholstery
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Ole Wanscher PJ112 mahogany lounge chairs produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, The chairs have been overlooked and refinished by our ca...
Mahogany
Zweisitzer Sofa Couch France & Søn Ole Wanscher Senator teak
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher, France & Daverkosen
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Zweisitzer vom dänischen Traditionshersteller France & Son aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Ole Wanscher, ist bekannt u...
Fabric, Teak
Pair Ole Wanscher Rosewood Arm Chairs
By Ole Wanscher
Located in New York, NY
Fine pair of Ole Wanscher arm chairs, in original finish, with original cushions. Solid Rosewood construction.
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Teak Rocker
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ole Wanscher Teak Rocker. All wood has been refinished, upholstery is about 20 years old. Fabric still looks pretty good! Rocker is very solid and has a great look! Chair breaks ...
Upholstery, Teak
Ole Wanscher model Fd-110 Danish teak rocking chair
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful mid century Danish teak model Fd-110 rocking chair by Ole Wanscher, made by France & Sons/John Stewart. The frame is in nice vintage condition - has been lightly restored -...
Teak
Sold
H 28 in W 26.5 in D 30.5 in
Expertly Restored -Ole Wanscher Model FD-120 Teak Rocking Chair for France & Son
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Upholstery, Foam, Teak
Sold
H 30.25 in W 26.5 in D 27 in
Ole Wanscher for France & Sons Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Rocking Chair
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An Ole Wanscher for France & Sons rocker accent chair. This is a very classic mid century modern rocking accent armchair. This chair features a lovely sculpted teak wood frame with b...
Leather
Rocking Chair by Ole Wanscher in Solid Teak, Denmark Circa 1950's
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Diego, CA
Enhance your home with the timeless elegance of the Ole Wanscher Rocking Chair, crafted by France & Son in the 1950s. Made from Solid Teak Construction this chair features new yellow...
Teak
Teak Rocker by Ole Wanscher for France & Son
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is an extremely nice original rocker by Ole Wanscher. It has fresh upholstery re-foamed, re-webbed and now covered in mottled gold Kvadrat wool fabric, and at a very good price.
Wool, Teak
Sold
H 38.59 in W 26.19 in D 31.11 in
Rocking Chair by Ole Wanscher for France & Søn 1960s / New Upholstered
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Handewitt, DE
High back rocking chair by Ole Wanscher for France & Søn „Senator Series“ 1960s made in solid teak and new upholstered with fine Kvadrat fabric.
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 25.6 in D 26.78 in
Mid Century Danish Ole Wanscher Model 120 Teak Rocking Chair For France & Son
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A superb and hard to find teak rocking chair designed by Ole Wanscher for France & Son, Denmark. An absolute triumph of a design, the slenderness and elegance of the frame is remark...
Teak
Sold
H 30.25 in W 24 in D 30 in
ExpertlyRestored-Ole Wanscher Model FD-120 Walnut Rocking Chair for France & Son
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance your home with the timeless elegance of the Ole Wanscher Model FD-120 Rocking Chair, crafted by France & Son in the 1950s. Made from walnut-stained beechwood, this chair feat...
Fabric, Foam, Walnut, Bentwood
Danish Modern High Backed Teak Rocking Chair by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This high backed rocking chair has integrated cushions + a loose seat cushion in original green wool upholstery. Designed by Ole Wanscher-- who is known for the elegance of his desi...
Wool, Teak
Original teak rocker by Ole Wanscher, Denmark.
By Ole Wanscher
Located in København K, DK
Ole Wanscher rocker, model 120 in teak produced by France & son, Denmark in the early 1960s.
Teak
Ole Wanscher Model FD-120 Rocking Chair for France & Søn
By France & Søn, France & Daverkosen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Miami, FL
Experience the elegance of this all original vintage FD 120 rocking lounge chair, boasting a sleek and minimalist design. Skillfully sculpted from teak wood, the rocker features the ...
Fabric, Teak