Omann Junior Desk, Rosewood

Founded in 1933 by Andreas Omann in Ølholm, Denmark, the family-run Omann Jun Møbelfabrik A/S got its start in bedroom furniture and tables, and later produced and exported teak, oak and rosewood case pieces and desks worldwide between the 1950s and the 1970s. Next door to Omann Jun Møbelfabrik A/S, Andreas’s father owned and operated Ølholm Møbelfabrik, which was later run by Andreas’s brother Sigfred Omann, and collaborated with forward-thinking modernist designers such as Arne Vodder. 

Gunni Omann built a reputation for having created a range of alluring credenzas, desks and other furnishings during the postwar years at Omann Jun Møbelfabrik A/S, and his fans reportedly included the likes of legendary designer and woodworker Hans Wegner. Serving as the lead designer in his father Andreas’s company, Gunni is known to enthusiasts of Scandinavian modernism for iconic works such as the Model 75 executive desk in 1958 and the gorgeous Model 18 sideboard in 1960.

Gunni Omann took over Omann Jun Møbelfabrik A/S in 1979 with his younger brother Bjarne, and by then, Ølholm Møbelfabrik and Omann Jun Møbelfabrik were part of one company. Omann continued to design until 1989 when health complications forced the sale of his shares in the brand. 

Outside of the family business, Gunni Omann worked with Axel Christiansen Odder/ACO Møbler. Still, regardless of who Omann designed for, each piece of furniture places the natural beauty of the wood grains at the forefront of its design. 

Omann Jun Møbelfabrik remains in the family and as of 2005, Ulrich Omann has taken leadership and directed their focus toward office furniture. (That said, Omann Jun Møbelfabrik began reproducing many of Gunni’s vintage designs in 2016 for a new market, including the popular Model 18 case piece.)

Find vintage Omann Jun Møbelfabrik furniture on 1stDibs.