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.
Børge Mogensen Model 2256 Lounge Chairs, 1960s. Set of 2.
By Fredericia Stolefabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Asaa, DK
Børge Mogensen Model BM-2256 Lounge Chairs, 1960s. Set of 2. Pair of Danish Mid-Century Modern easy chairs by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark, designed in 1956. T...
Oak
Vintage Danish Modern Lounge Chairs by Kurt Østervig for Ryesberg Møbler, 1960
By Ryesberg Møbler, Kurt Østervig
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modern lounge chairs by Kurt Østervig for Ryesberg Møbler, 1960. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern pair of green upholstered...
Wool, Teak
Mid-Century Danish 3-seater Sofa ML-140 by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s.
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Asaa, DK
Mid-Century Danish 3-seater Sofa ML-140 by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s. Beautiful and elegant three seater sofa designed by renowned Danish architect Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Da...
Oak
Danish Mid-Century Modern Oak Lounge Chairs in Kjærnulf Style, 1960s. Set of 2.
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Oak Lounge Chairs in Kjærnulf Style, 1960s. Set of 2. Beautiful Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern rustic brutalist arm chairs in solid Nordic white oak and o...
Oak
Ingmar Relling "Junior" Teak Armchairs for VSM, 1950s. Set of 2.
By A/S Vestlandske Møbelfabrikk, Ingmar Relling
Located in Asaa, DK
Ingmar Relling "Junior" Teak Armchairs for VSM, 1950s. Set of 2. Pair of rare Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs. Designed by Ingmar Relling for Vestlandske Stol- og Møbe...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Armchairs, 1950s. Set of 2.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Teak Armchairs, 1950s. Set of 2. Pair of elegant and organic Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern armchairs made in ...
Teak
Lounge Chairs and Sofa by Aksel Bender Madsen for Bovenkamp, 1952
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Early rare midcentury livingroom set composed of one lady-chair, one highback reading chair, attached neck pillow, and one sofa. Beautifully sculpted teak frame and original amber-or...
Upholstery, Oak
‘D200’ Lounge Chair & ‘D200s’ Sofa by Ib Kofod Larsen for Laauser, Denmark 1950s
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in GORINCHEM, NL
A very rare and elegant lounge chair D200 and matching sofa D200 S designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen for the German firm G. Laauser, dating back to 1955. They represent Scandinavian mid-century modern design at its absolute finest. Part of a limited production series, lounge chair and sofa are (as far as we know) never offered together as a set in recent times. Both pieces feature Kofod-Larsen’s signature organic lines with beautifully sculpted walnut frames, executed with remarkable craftsmanship and attention to detail. One of the most impressive aspects of the design is the complete absence of visible screws or hardware, a testament to the extraordinary cabinetmaking techniques of the period. The D200 chair belongs to an important family of lounge chairs designed by the famous ‘cult designer’ Ib Kofod Larsen, which also includes the celebrated Elizabeth and Sälen (Seal) chairs. While the Elizabeth chair (named after Queen Elizabeth II who purchased two of these chairs during a state visit in Denmark), and the Sälen chair...
Wool, Walnut, Teak
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø for C F Christensen Silkeborg, 1972
By Illum Wikkelsø, CFC Silkeborg
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Pair of Lounge Chairs, designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Silkeborg, 1972. Solid teak wood with a curved frame. Danish design from the 1970s with high-quality craftsmanship. We can orga...
Fabric, Teak
Set of Two '2' Lounge Chairs by Peter Hvidt for Soborg Møbler, Denmark, c. 1960s
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Deland, FL
As comfortable as they are aesthetically captivating this ultra-rare set of lounge chairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard for Soborg Mobelfabrik are the epitome of functional art. With expertly sculpted arms cut out of of solid teak with exceptional old-growth wood grains these chairs are absolutely mesmerizing. Featuring new knit...
Teak
Johannes Andersen 2 armchairs "Hollywood" a pair for AB Trensums, Denmark 1960
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Paris, IDF
A stunning pair of vintage Danish armchairs, designed by Johannes Andersen. This model is called the ‘Hollywood’, they were made in Denmark by Trensums around the 1960. They are of ...
Fabric, Oak
Arne Vodder Sofa Set for Glostrup Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Arne Vodder
Located in Nagykovácsi, Central Hungary
Arne Vodder Sofa Set for Glostrup Møbelfabrik, 1960s. Yellow armchair set consisting of a sofa and two armchairs in mid-century modern style. The set was designed by Arne Vodder, a ...
Teak
