Hans Olsen sofa

This very rare modular sofa or bench, model 161, was designed by Hans Olsen and produced by Bramin in Denmark in 1957. The piece features a solid teak structure with a warm, medium-dark finish and two freestanding woven cane seat-back units mounted on a wide teak platform. This platform integrates slatted seat support and a built-in side table, combining seating and surface utility in a single, continuous form. The design was conceived for flexible indoor and outdoor use, as evidenced by its appearance in the Saul Bass Case Study House #20 in California.

The hand-woven cane is tightly gridded, lending visual lightness and flexibility to the backrests. These lightly curved backrests are framed by teak dowels that securely connect into the main platform. The slatted seat base allows the cane units to be removed or reconfigured, underscoring Olsen’s experimental and adaptable approach to design.

A raised side table, also crafted in teak and supported by corner legs, extends slightly above the seating surface, enhancing the modular functionality. This arrangement allows the sofa to serve as a freestanding piece suitable for both lounge settings and architectural interiors.

Hans Olsen (1919–1992), trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts under Kaare Klint, was known for his sculptural and unconventional reinterpretations of modernist forms. His collaborations with Bramin in the 1950s and 60s yielded a number of rare and collectible designs.

The sofa is in excellent vintage condition. The cane remains tight and intact with minimal wear, and the teak shows a consistent tone and patina with only minor surface marks consistent with age.

The dimensions are 200 cm wide, 47 cm deep, and 73 cm high, approximately 78.7 x 18.5 x 28.7 inches.