Throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, Arne Hovmand-Olsen created furnishings that boasted all of the alluring qualities now associated with vintage Scandinavian modern design. The esteemed Danish designer favored high-quality teak, oak and rosewood for his sideboards, chairs and dining tables. Elsewhere, Hovmand-Olsen’s side tables and credenzas feature elegant organic curves and tapered legs, while his graceful armchairs and dining chairs are characterized by slender frames and sculptural seat backs.
From an early age Hovmand-Olsen showed an interest in drawing and an aptitude for design. In 1938, he began his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker under Peder Olsen Sibast, the founder of Sibast furniture company. Owing largely to the creative direction of Peder’s son, designer Helge Sibast, during the mid-century era, the manufacturer is internationally revered today for its wide range of sleek and collectible modern furniture.
In 1941, Hovmand-Olsen enrolled in a technical school to study furniture design, and opened his own workshop shortly after graduating. He created a range of furnishings for such notable manufacturers as Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Elven Geertsen and Jutex. He found success in Denmark, but attained even greater notability when he began selling his work in America.
Mid-century-era design from this region of the world — including objects like Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair, Alvar Aalto’s undulating Savoy vase and Tapio Wirkkala’s leaf-shaped birch-laminate tray — took off in the States after the Second World War, when Scandinavia’s simple, curvilinear wooden furniture, home goods and textiles suddenly seemed the perfect foil for glass-and-steel skyscrapers.
Hovmand-Olsen closed his workshop during the 1970s. Today his work is widely collected by enthusiasts of mid-century Scandinavian modern furniture.
Find vintage Arne Hovmand-Olsen seating, tables, storage pieces and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$3,245 / item
H 28.35 in W 25.99 in D 30.32 in
Børge Mogensen Model 2256 Lounge Chairs, Oak & Leather, 1960s Denmark
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen lounge chairs new upholstered with cognac vintage full grain aniline. Frame of oak. Model 2256, made by Fredericia furniture.
Leather, Oak
$3,894 / item
H 27.17 in W 25.2 in D 33.08 in
Hans J. Wegner GE-370 Lounge Chair in Oiled Oak and Aniline Leather
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner lounge chair with loose cushions new upholstered with vintage tan full grain aniline leather. Frame of solid oiled oak Model GE-370, made by GETAMA.
Wool, Oak
$3,995 / set
H 28 in W 27.5 in D 31 in
Scandinavian Teak Easy Chairs Arne Vodder Glostrup Denmark, 1950
By Arne Vodder, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Hyattsville, MD
This is an arm variation of the more common Vodder armrest design, not as angular, looks more like a Grete Jalk armrest. Marked as distressed because the cushions and pillows are OR...
Teak
$19,471 / set
H 37.41 in W 31.89 in D 33.47 in
Set of 2 Easy Chairs Leather and Teak by Ib Kofod-Larsen, 1960s
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The Örenäs easy chairs, designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen and produced by OPE in Sweden during the 1950s, are distinguished examples of Scandinavian modern design. The frames are crafted f...
Leather, Teak
Ib Kofod-Larsen, Lounge Chairs, Teak, Leather, Sweden, 1950s
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of teak and black leather lounge chairs designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen and produced by OPE, Sweden, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 36.75” H x 31” W x 35” D Seat Height: 15.75”
Leather, Teak
Jacob Kjaer, Lounge Chairs, Teak, Leather, Denmark, 1945
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of adjustable teak and leather lounge chairs designed and produced by Jacob Kjaer, Denmark, 1945. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 33.25"H x 26...
Leather, Teak
$2,795
H 28 in W 28.5 in D 27.25 in
Svend Aage Eriksen for Glostrup Danish Teak and Leather Lounge Chair Circa 1960s
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Eriksen
Located in Peabody, MA
A Danish teak lounge chair in original soft leather upholstery, designed by Svend Aage Eriksen for Glostrup Mobelfabrik, in the manner of Grete Jalk who also designed for Glostrup. ...
Leather, Teak
$7,500 / set
H 31 in W 30 in D 31 in
Swedish Modern Leather and Teak Lounge Chairs by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folke Ohlsson for Dux of Sweden sculptural staved-teak lounge chairs (Model 72-C) featuring a rounded / slatted back and loose cushions. Frames have been ref...
Leather, Teak
$5,015 / set
H 26.78 in W 28.35 in D 29.53 in
Danish Pair of Lounge Chairs in Oak by Niels Koefoed, 1960s
By Niels Koefoed
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Beautiful pair of easy chairs designed by Niels Koefoed around 1960. Very nice sculptural frames in solid oak with a nice patina thanks to age and use. Newly upholstered cushions wit...
Fabric, Oak
$4,602 / set
H 27.17 in W 28.35 in D 26.78 in
Pair of Scandinavian Easy Chairs with Teak and Leather by Westnofa, 1960s
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Beautiful "Scandinavian Modern" easy chairs, by Westnofa, made in the 1960s. The chairs are made from teak and high quality aniline leather and come fully restored.
Leather, Teak
10 Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen JH-503 Chairs in Teak and Leather
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We are excited to offer 4 early Hans Wegner JH-503 chairs designed in 1949 and Produced by Johannes Hansen. Fully restored solid old growth teak construction. Stamped with the maker'...
Leather, Teak
Jacob Kjaer, Adjustable Teak Lounge Chair, Denmark, 1945
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Adjustable teak lounge chair, by Jacob Kjaer, Denmark, circa 1945. A lounge chair by Danish cabinet maker and modernist pioneer, Jacob Kjaer, designed i...
Leather, Teak
Danish Arm Chairs by Svend A. Madsen for Moreddi, Set of 2
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of 2 Danish modern dining chairs designed by Svend A. Madsen, imported by Moreddi, circa 1960s. Armchairs with wonderfully shaped armrests & curved backs for extra com...
Teak, Upholstery
Rare Børge Mogensen "Slædestolen" Easy Chairs, 1960
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Børge Mogensen armchairs and side chairs for Soborg Mobler, 1954. Made from white oak, We have three side chairs in stock. Upholstery services availa...
Oak
Folke Ohlsson "Stanford" Teak Armchair for DUX
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Rare "Stanford" High Back Teak Lounge Chair was designed by Folke Ohlsson for Dux in the 1960s. The "Stanford" model was one of Ohlsson's less common designs. This armchair has a...
Linen, Teak
Rare Rosewood Armchairs by Enjer Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These are rare rosewood armchairs by Enjer Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen for Larsen + Madsen, c1955. Fully restored in beautiful Italian leather. Allow 3-4 weeks if upholstery servi...
Leather, Rosewood
