Bookshelves Scandinavian
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Marble, Travertine, Metal
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Rosewood
2010s Italian Renaissance Wall Mirrors
Glass
Vintage 1970s Mexican Pottery
Ceramic
Antique Mid-19th Century English William IV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Swedish Side Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Alpaca
Vintage 1950s European Other Desks
Rosewood, Wood
20th Century American Console Tables
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Bookcases
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage 1970s European French Provincial Farm Tables
Pine
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Steel
Vintage 1970s Art Deco Wardrobes and Armoires
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Brass
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Teak
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Teak
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Bookcases
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Iron
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Bookcases
Teak
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Vintage 1930s Austrian Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Oak, Teak
Vintage 1930s Austrian Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Oak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Formica, Beech, Teak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Glass, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Screens and Room Dividers
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Rosewood
Vintage 1980s Thai Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Oak, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Early 20th Century Japanese Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Cedar
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
Crystal, Brass, Metal
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vitrines
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Oak, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Vintage 1970s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Metal
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vitrines
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vitrines
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Oak, Teak
Bookshelves Scandinavian For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Bookshelves 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.
Finding the Right Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.