Functionalism Scandinavian
Vintage 1940s European Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Beech
Vintage 1930s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Ceramic
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Pitchers
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Danish Modernist Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Art Glass
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Birch
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Night Stands
Formica, Wenge
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Oak
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Seagrass, Beech
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sideboards
Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Marble, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Ch...
Oak
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Tea Sets
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Coat Racks and Stands
Birch
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Zinc
Vintage 1970s Italian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Ash
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Papercord, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Oak
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Birch, Elm
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
Birch
Vintage 1930s Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Teak
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Paint
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Birch
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Nutwood
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Functionalism Scandinavian For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Functionalism Scandinavian?
A Close Look at scandinavian-modern Furniture
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden and Finland
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus and modernism; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
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