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Arne Hovmand Olsen Clocks

Danish, 1919-1989

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.

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Creator: Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Grandfather Clock 1965 in Teak
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Arne Hovmand-Olsen, conical shaped Grandfarher clock 1965. With brass hands and brass hour marks. Inside with shelfes. Made in teak.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arne Hovmand Olsen Clocks

Materials

Brass

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Arne Hovmand-olsen clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Arne Hovmand-Olsen clocks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arne Hovmand-Olsen clocks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original clocks by Arne Hovmand-Olsen were created in the mid-century modern style in scandinavia during the 20th century. Prices for Arne Hovmand-Olsen clocks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $9,500 and can go as high as $9,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,500.

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