Set of Modern Danish Safari Chairs in Oak & Light Canvas attributed to Ole Wanscher, 1960s

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A rare pair of original ole wanscher oak framed "safari chairs" with canvas seats and tilting backs. Made in denmark … Read more A rare pair of original ole wanscher oak framed "safari chairs" with canvas seats and tilting backs. Made in denmark by pj furniture in the 1960s. This is wanschers take on the british traditional "safari" chair, that his teacher kaare klint made famous in the 1930s. The wood frames are beautifully sculpted from patinated scandinavian oak and they are very light making them ideal for being moved around. The canvas seats and backs are hand sewn in denmark in accordance with the original design. Both chairs marked by maker on the inside of the frame. Ole wanscher was the heir to kaare klint’s professor’s chair at the royal danish academy of fine arts in copenhagen from 1955-73. He has written numerous articles and published many books concerning the history of furniture design and the characteristics of different types of furniture. Ole wanscher could, as bent salicath phrased it, be called the philologist of furniture design. His chair types have an almost grammatically distinct construction and show appreciation of the linguistic expression in proportioning. It is this distinct linguistic sense he practices in his furniture and to a great degree in the deliberate modulations expressed in his designs. A great part of professor ole wanscher’s production was handled by master carpenter a.j. Iversen, who, throughout many years, employed ole wanscher as designer in his shop. The more industrialized production was handled by p. Jeppesen’s furniture factory. Regarding his furniture style, it is said “that his furniture could just as well have been designed 200 years ago as yesterday”. It is classic and modern at the same time. It is a sophisticated design and is strongly influenced by english furniture design. It always has an elegant design immediately inviting good seating manners, but after a closer trial often proves to satisfy the era’s more relaxed seating manner. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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