OW149‑2 Colo­nial Sofa

Danish furniture designer and professor Ole Wanscher is considered one of the leading designers in the Scandinavian furniture tradition. His classic, minimalist approach played a key role in establishing the international reputation of Danish furniture craftsmanship in the postwar era. Wanscher is especially renowned for his Colonial Chair (1949) and his Egyptian Chair (1957) – pieces that showcase his penchant for minimalist design with slender proportions and a respect for natural materials.

Ole Wanscher’s academic background allowed him to combine his knowledge of architecture with practical furniture design and craftsmanship. He drew a great deal of inspiration from his countless trips to Egypt and throughout Europe. This passion led him to write several books on the topic, including “Møbelkunstens Historie i Oversigt” (“Historical Overview of Furniture Design,” 1941) and “Møblets Æstetik” (“The Aesthetics of Furniture,” 1985). Over the course of his long career, Wanscher received many grants and honors, including Knight, First Class, of the Danish Order of the Dannebrog. Today, Wanscher’s designs are considered modern classics, notable for their rarely seen degree of detail and deep respect for the chosen materials. The minimalist interpretation of classic shapes according to modern needs for functionality was characteristic of his design approach. Ole Wanscher’s furniture radiates a subdued elegance that is simultaneously timeless, classic and thoroughly modern.