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Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

SCANDINAVIAN MODERN STYLE

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 

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

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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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Scandinavian Modern Handmade Conical Brass Vase, Sweden 1949
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This exquisite handmade brass vase from Sweden, crafted in 1949, embodies the elegance and simplicity characteristic of Scandinavian modern design. The vase features a conical shape ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass

Pair of Höganäs Salt Glazed Stoneware Planter Pots, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of two handmade potbellied stoneware jars with blackish umber brown salt glaze and two soft shaped handles. Manufactured at Höganäs Keramik in Sweden in the 1950s. Two rustic dec...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Uno Westerberg for Pukeberg, Sweden. Large art glass vase in clear art glass.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Uno Westerberg for Pukeberg, Sweden. Large art glass vase in clear art glass. Decoration with relief circles. 1970s. Perfect condition. Dimensions: D 10.0 cm x H 28.0 cm.
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Art Glass

Thomas Nittsjö, Sweden. Large ceramic vase in brown and blue tones.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Thomas Nittsjö, Sweden. Large ceramic vase, partially with blue glaze. Handmade. 1969/70s. Marked. Perfect condition. Dimensions: Diameter 13.0 cm x Height 24.0 cm.
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Porceline Vase Designed by Carl-Mary Stålhane For Rörstrand
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful blue / green vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane (1920‑1990) for Röstrand Procelain Works Stålhand started working for Rorstrand at the age of 18. Initially, he decorat...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Small stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg, in a slender onion form with a long neck and flattened rim. Velvety midnight blue hare’s fur glaze. Berndt Friberg was a Swedish ceramicist, ...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Scandinavian Modern Gunnar Nylund Stoneware vase pitcher Rörstrand ca 1955
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Gunnar Nylund, Stoneware vase /pitcher Rörstrand, Sweden, circa 1950 Description A stoneware vase/pitcher, finished with a beautiful white “eggshell” glaze. This object was designe...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Faience Jug - Stig Lindberg - Gustavsbergs Studio - 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely and rare jug with lid in faience designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg in the 1950s. The jug is 17,5 cm high and in excellent condition. It is marked below. In 1942, Gu...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Faience

Black Glass Vase - Edvin Ollers - Elme Glassworks, Sweden 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely black glass vase in molded glass designed in 1930s by Edvin Ollers and produced at Elme Glassworks in Sweden. The vase is 20,5 cm high and in excellent condition. It is not ...
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Ture Berglund, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass vase designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Nils Landberg for Orrefors, Sweden. Tall and slender art glass vase.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Nils Landberg for Orrefors, Sweden. Tall and slender art glass vase in clear glass. 1930s/40s. Signed. Perfect condition. Dimensions: H 34.0 cm x D 7.0 cm.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Art Glass

Swedish Mid Century Stoneware Vase by Claes Ivarsson for Höganäs Keramik
By Höganäs Keramik, Claes Ivarsson
Located in Örebro, SE
The company Höganäsbolaget shut down its production of stoneware in 1926 to concentrate production on other products. Two employees, the brothers Gustaf and Oskar Nyman then left the...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Gunnar Nylund, stoneware vase, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Modern / Midcentury
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware vase with beautiful hare fur glaze by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstand, Sweden mid-1900s. Marked Nylund and Rörstand. In good condition, smaller signs of age and wear. About...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Marian Zawadsky for Tilgmans Keramik 1966 MCM Sgraffito Sculptural Floorvase
Located in Frome, GB
This striking work of Swedish Mid-Century Modernist design the signed work of Marian Zawadsky (b. 1912 - d. 1978) a professor, artist, and ceramist who became artistic director for T...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Porceline "Carolina" Vase Designed by Gunnar Nylund For Rörstrand
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautifully shaped "Carolina" vase with a blue / black matte feldspar glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950's for Rörstrand Procelain Works in Denmark. Gunnar Nylund (1904-1...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Gunnar Nylund, stoneware vase, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware vase with brown hare fur glaze and two small handles, by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden mid-1900s. In beautiful condition, smaller signs of use and wear.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Gabriel Keramik, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Gabriel Keramik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Edvin Öhrström, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue blown-glass vase designed by Edvin Öhrström and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Arthur Percy, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed ceramic vase designed by Arthur Percy and produced by Gefle, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Set of Two Amber Glass Gulvvase Vases by Otto Brauer for Holmegaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Best known for this ”Gulvvase" design from 1962, Otto Brauer (1911–1984) started his career in the Danish glass industry at only 14 years of age and worked at the Holmegaard glasswor...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Large Unique Head Vase Bjørn Wiinblad Handmade Painted Ceramics, Denmark, 1961
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful unique head vase handmade by Bjørn Wiinblad in 1961. Decorated in polychrome glazed earthenware. Very rare and early piece by one of Denmarks finest artist of the 20th cent...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Edvin Öhrström, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown-glass vase designed by Edvin Öhrström and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Inger Persson for Rörstrand Atelje, Sweden. Ceramic vase with blue-toned glaze.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Inger Persson for Rörstrand Atelje, Sweden. Ceramic vase with blue-toned glaze. Circa 1970. Marked. In perfect condition. Dimensions: Height 11.5 cm x Diameter 10.7 cm.
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Danish Designer, Vase, Grey Glazed Stoneware, Denmark, 1987
Located in High Point, NC
A grey glazed stoneware vase designed and produced in Denmark, 1970s.
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A white-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase Model. 3030, Iittala 1960s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto entered and won a competition held at the Karhula-Iittala glass factory that was organized for the 1937 Paris World Fair. The year was 1936 and Aalto´s entry was called `...
Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown Glass

Erik Mornils, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green and brown-glazed earthenware vase designed by Erik Mornils and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Swedish Designer, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced in Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Olle Alberius for Rörstrand, Sweden. Ceramic vase with blue-toned glaze
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Olle Alberius (1926-1993) for Rörstrand, Sweden. Ceramic vase with a blue-toned glaze. Approximately from the 1960s/70s. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensi...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Wilhelm Kåge, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed stoneware vase designed by Wilhelm Kåge and produced by Gustavsberg, Sweden, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Vicke Lindstrand, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase, model Stella Polaris, designed by Vicke Lindstrand and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Scandinavian Modern Vase, Most Possibly by Ryds Glasbruk ca 1960's
Located in Örebro, SE
Scandinavian Modern vase, most possibly from Ryds Glasbruk, ca 1960's. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use. Scratches.
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Scandinavian Modern Vase "Cirrus" by Bertil Vallien, Boda 1970's
Located in Örebro, SE
Scandinavian Modern vase "Cirrus" by Bertil Vallien, Boda 1970's. Engraved "Boda B Vallien 47533". One of the most appreciated series, designed in 1973. It consists of objects with a...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Ture Berglund, Bottle, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass bottle designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown Glass

Christer Heijl, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white and green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Christer Heijl and produced by Töreboda Keramik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown Glass

Ture Berglund, Small Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A small blown glass vase designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Ture Berglund, Bottle, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass bottle designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A an off-white and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Porceline Vase Designed by Carl-Mary Stålhane For Rörstrand
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful blue / green vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane (1920‑1990) for Röstrand Procelain Works Stålhand started working for Rorstrand at the age of 18. Initially, he decorat...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Christer Heijl, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Christer Heijl and produced by Töreboda Keramik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Arthur Percy, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Arthur Percy and produced by Gefle, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Ture Berglund, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass vase designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Ture Berglund, Bottle, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass bottle designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Søholm Stentøj, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and brown-glazed stoneware vase produced by Søholm Stentøj, Denmark, 1960s.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A white-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Swedish Designer, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A light-grey and brown-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced in Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Group of 7 Brown Ceramic Vases, Rörstrand - Gunnar Nylund & Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of seven vases and bowls by Carl-Harry Stålhane, two bowls at Rörstrand and one vase by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950s and 1960s. The vases are between 6.5 - 25.5 cm high and in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Ture Berglund, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass vase designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Danish Nils Kähler for HAK Kähler Large Wide Vase with Greyish-brown Glaze 1970s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Large wide vase with sweeping shape, made of chamotte clay which gives the surface an rustic expression. The glaze is greyish-brown, with a satin look at the body of the vase and gl...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Scandinavian Modern vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage vases and vessels created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, stoneware and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern vases and vessels made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vases and vessels, popular names associated with this style include Rörstrand, Upsala Ekeby, Gunnar Nylund, and Gustavsberg. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for vases and vessels differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $20,792 while the average work can sell for $1,103.

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