Used Scandinavian Design Furniture
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures
Beech, Teak
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Antique 19th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandi...
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinav...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian ...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Antique Late 19th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and S...
Wool
Antique 19th Century Scandinavian Other Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Other Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Vintage 1970s European Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Linen, Wool
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Vintage 1930s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian ...
Wool
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1960s Danish Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Russian and Scandinavia...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Cotton
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool, Cotton
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Antique 19th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandi...
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian ...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Cotton, Wool
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Used Scandinavian Design Furniture For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Used Scandinavian Design Furniture?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 2, 2023
There isn’t much of a difference between Nordic and Scandinavian design in that when it comes to furniture and decor, the descriptors “Nordic” and “Scandinavian” are often used interchangeably. The term Scandinavia is primarily used to refer to Denmark, Norway and Sweden. (It is sometimes inclusive of Iceland and Finland, too.) The Nordic region of the world also includes the likes of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden as well as Iceland, Finland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland.
Scandinavian modernism is a warm and organic iteration of modernist design that chiefly originated in Denmark, Sweden and Finland during the 1930s. It was introduced to the United States during the mid-20th century and had a profound influence on American mid-century modern design.
Scandinavian modernists are known for their emphasis on craftsmanship and use of natural materials such as ash, pine and beech. Scandi interiors are minimalist, bright and airy, and feature neutral palettes and classic shapes.
Characteristics of the work of such Scandinavian modernists such as Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl and Greta Magnusson Grossman include bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries. 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.
For design enthusiasts all over the world, the promotion of functionality and simplicity associated with Scandinavian modernism and Nordic design continues to prove irresistible.
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113 Chairs That Prove Danish Design Isn’t Limited to Denmark
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Tapio Wirkkala Bucked the Trends of Mid-Century Nordic Design
The Finnish talent created nature-inspired pieces, from furniture to jewelry, with phenomenal staying power.
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