Hans Bølling

Hans Bolling earned his architecture degree at The Royal Danish Art Academy. His architectural commissions included town halls and private residences. Today, Hans is best known for his quirky wooden figures.
Words by DEIRDRE JORDAN

HANS BØLLING

Hans Bolling was born in 1931 in Brabrand, Denmark. After training as an advertising designer, Bølling’s met his future wife Søs. Her father, Architect Axel Wanscher (brother of the famous furniture designer Ole Wanscher) convinced Hans that a career in architecture would be a fulfilling profession and more suited to supporting his daughter.

Hans earned his architecture degree at The Royal Danish Art Academy. His architectural commissions included town halls and private residences. Today, Hans is best known for his quirky wooden figures. Early in his career Hans began turning on a wood lathe to craft small figures as gifts for his wife and close friends. The precision and personality in his objects paved the way for success as he quickly began to sell the wooden figures to stores. 

As luck would have it, Bølling won a design award and invested the winnings into his own carpentry equipment. This kick-started the production of the now-famous Duck and Duckling and many other lovable wooden creatures. Hans Bølling has also designed furniture and accessory items for the Danish brand Torben Ørskov & Co. which are now considered icons of the mid 20th century.

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