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Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

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
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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Vintage Brass Candelabra Designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson Ab, Model L-67
Located in Doraville, GA
A vintage three light candelabra by Swedish architect / industrial designer Hans - Agne Jakobsson. The candelabra was initially designed in the 1960’s and manufactured by Jakobsson’s...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Vintage Dansk Iron Candelabra by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage cast iron candleabra. made in Denmark. Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. the sprial pattern can be adjusted.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Vintage Mid-Century Patinated Bronze Vase, GAB, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely 1930s bronze vase, in a plump form with decorative handles and details. Patinated in beautiful green nuances. GAB was founded in Stockholm in 1867 and was an important influe...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg. Unique ceramic bowl. Hare's fur glaze.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Berndt Friberg (1899-1981) for Gustavsberg. Unique ceramic bowl. Hare's fur glaze in blue and aubergine tones. Signed. Year code Ö = 1958. Perfect condition. Dimensions: D 11.5 cm x ...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Knut Bergqvist Attribution, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow blown glass vase attributed to Knut Bergqvist for Lindefors Glasbruk, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Heidi Fournier for Kähler, Denmark. Large ceramic bowl with floral motifs
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Heidi Fournier for Kähler, Denmark. Large ceramic bowl. Floral motifs on a cream-coloured base. Approximately from the 1960s. In perfect condition with natural crackling from produc...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Letter Tray Desk Organizer Rosewood Danish Desktop Georg Petersen Mobelfabrik
Located in Hyattsville, MD
This is the early production Selectform model, designed and made by Georg Petersen Mobelfabrik A/S. This example retains the Georg Petersens Mobelfabrik A/S label and Danish Furnitu...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Olle Alberius for Rörstrand. Large ceramic vase in brown and green shades
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Olle Alberius (1926-1993) for Rörstrand, Sweden. Large ceramic vase in brown and green shades. Approximately from the 1970s. Marked. In perfect condition with natural glaze crazing....
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg Poodle Dog Scandinavian Modern 1963
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Poodle is made of white stoneware with shiny light blue glaze and dark blue hand painted decoration. It was designed by Lisa Larson (1931-2024) as part of the "Poodles" (Pudlar) ser...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Bruno Karlsson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and beige-glazed stoneware vase designed by Bruno Karlsson and produced by Ego Stengods, Sweden, 1960s.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Scandinavian Modern Gunnar Under for Ystad Metal Signed Pair of Candle Holders
Located in Valencia, VC
Beyond cool pair of candle holders designed by Gunnar Ander for Ystad-Metal. Handcrafted in Sweden during the 1950s, these candle holders are a testament to Ander's unparalleled crea...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Ellis Berg, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow tinted glass vase designed by Ellis Berg and produced by Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown 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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Bo Fajans, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A grey-glazed incised ceramic vase designed and produced by Bo Fajans, Gefle, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Riihimäen Lasi, Vase, Glass, Finland, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue glass vase designed and produced by Riihimäen Lasi, Finland, 1930s.
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Motala Lervarufabrik, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed vase designed and produced by Motala Lervarufabrik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Sigvard Bernadotte for Georg Jensen. Large strawberry bowl in sterling silver.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sigvard Bernadotte for Georg Jensen. Large strawberry bowl in sterling silver. Designed with clean lines. Model: 856A The design year 1943. In perfect condition. Year stamp S10 = 19...
Category

1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sylvia Leuchovius for Rörstrand. Ceramic vase with dark-toned glaze.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sylvia Leuchovius (1915–2003) for Rörstrand. Ceramic vase with dark-toned glaze. 1960s/70s. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensions: H 10.0 x D 9.3 cm.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Scandinavian Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, Gustavsberg, and Upsala Ekeby. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $48 and tops out at $149,456 while the average work can sell for $883.

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