Ole Wanscher's Colonial Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Ole Wanscher (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Width: 25.6 in (65.03 cm)Depth: 26.8 in (68.08 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Minor losses. The chair and ottoman frame is in excellent condition, minor wear for its age but no crack on the frame. Cushions have great patina on the leather, and is showing some age and tears around the loops on the back rest cushions.
- Seller Location:Seattle, WA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5748232364692
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Seattle, WA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Eero Saarinen Womb Chair & Ottoman Medium in Alexander Girard Quatrefoil FabricBy Eero SaarinenLocated in Seattle, WAOne of the most iconic chair designs of the 20th century, Eero Saarinen designed this lounge chair for Florence Knoll at the request of “a chair that was like a basket full of pillow...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Fiberglass
- George Nelson For Herman Miller First Generation Coconut Chair and OttomanBy George NelsonLocated in Seattle, WAThe Coconut chair was designed in 1955 by the American architect, industrial designer, author, editor and teacher George Nelson. Unlike the later editions, the first generation has a...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Percival Lafer's Lounge Chair model MP-61 in Maharam Leather and Rosewood, 1973By Percival LaferLocated in Seattle, WAA rare lounge chair designed by Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafer, Model MP-61, with fiberglass shell, rosewood plywood base. Restored and reupholstered in Maharam Brown leather. In gr...Category
Vintage 1970s South American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Fiberglass, Rosewood
- Very First Generation 1956 Eames Lounge Chair 670 and Spinning Ottoman 671By Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Seattle, WAThis extremely rare collectible is one of the earliest known productions of the 1956 Eames lounge chair with ottoman, non-stamped frame, and the holy grail spinning ottoman...Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Finn Juhl Rosewood Spade Chair FD133By Finn JuhlLocated in Seattle, WADesigned in 1954 the Model 133 ‘Spadestolen’ was Juhl's first collaboration with Danish producer France & Son. The frame was originally made in teak with loose foam cushions, sprung ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Hans Wegner JH50 “Peacock Chair” in Oak and TeakBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Seattle, WAHans Wegner JH50 chair, or more commonly known as the “Peacock Chair” had its name blessed by famous designer, Finn Juhl, and was designed in 1947 an...Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsOak, Teak
- Ole Wanscher Vintage Rosewood Colonial Chair, 1950sBy Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher PJ-149 Colonial chair, 1949 A Fine example of Ole Wanscher's most iconic design: The Colonial Chair. Produced by Poul Jeppesen in Denmark c1950s in exquisite Brazi...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rattan, Rosewood
- Ole Wanscher Pair of Rosewood Colonial Chairs, 1950sBy Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher PJ-149 Colonial chairs, 1949. These examples made from Brazilian rosewood with woven rattan cane seats. Produced by Poul Jeppesen, Denmark, circa 1950s. Cognac bro...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rattan, Rosewood
- Ole Wanscher Pair of Vintage Rosewood Colonial Chairs, 1950sBy Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher PJ-149 Colonial chair, 1949 A fine pair of Ole Wanscher's most iconic design: The colonial chair. Produced by Poul Jeppesen in Denmark circa 1950s in exquisite Brazilian rosewood with original woven rattan cane seat and feather cushions covered in new pale linen fabric. The colonial chair was Wanscher's homage to American...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRattan, Rosewood, Linen
- Vintage Danish Design Colonial Lounge Chair and Ottoman, by Ole Wanscher, 1950sBy Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in Renens, CHVintage Danish design Colonial lounge chair and ottoman, by Ole Wanscher, 1950s Designed by Ole Wanscher, one of the leading figures of the 20th century Scandinavian design movement. The colonial chair is considered by many to be Ole Wanscher’s masterpiece, influenced by the 18th century colonial period furniture. Compared to other colonial style chairs...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- Ole Wanscher Rosewood Colonial Chair 1949By Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher - PJ-149 colonial chair, 1949. Ole Wanscher's Colonial chair is the arguably the high-point of his long and distinguished career. This example was produced in exquisite, highly-figured rosewood with woven rattan cane seat. The chair comes with the original patinated black leather, feather filled cushions. It was produced by cabinetmaker Poul Jeppesen in Denmark c1950s. Wanscher brought together influences from French, British and American colonial furniture...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Ole Wanscher Rosewood Colonial Lounge Chair, 1949By Ole Wanscher, Poul JeppesenLocated in London, GBOle Wanscher - Model PJ-149 Colonial Chair, 1949 Ole Wanscher's iconic career high-point: the Colonial Chair was designed in 1949 and produced by master cabinetmaker Poul Jeppesen in Denmark throughout the 1950s. It references colonial-era furniture from the UK and France as well 18th century American shaker furniture...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rattan, Rosewood