1950s Scandinavian Sofa
Vintage 1950s European Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Rattan
Vintage 1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech, Teak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s European Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Pine
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Oak
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Teak, Bouclé
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Oak
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wool, Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Teak
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Birch
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Teak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wool, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Brocade, Teak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wool, Cotton, Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Wool, Linen, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables
Metal
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables
Pine
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables
Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Cane, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Metal
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1950s Scandinavian Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 1950s Scandinavian Sofa?
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 seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Some popular watches for men during the 1950s were the Rolex Submariner, the Enicar Sherpa Dive, the Breitling Navitimer, Omega, Constellation and the Rolex GMT-Master. Rolex, Timex, Orvin, Tower and Elgin were among the top watchmakers for women during the decade. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The clothing style in the 1950s was well tailored and classic. For women, dresses with padded busts, cinched waists and hips, and full circle skirts were popular, and the collared button-up shirt dress came into fashion during the decade. Men tended to wear suits in neutral gray, dark blue and brown colors made out of easy-to-care-for synthetic fabrics. Straight-cut double-breasted blazers were commonly worn for casual occasions. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of vintage clothing from the 1950s.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023In the 1950s, several diamond cuts were popular. They included the brilliant round cut, the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. Rings that featured a large central stone flanked by smaller baguettes were also trendy during the decade. Find a collection of vintage diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023There were a few popular diamond cuts in the 1950s. One was the brilliant round cut, which is still common today due to its simple shape and prominent sparkle. Other favorite cuts of the decade included the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023In the 1950s, a Chanel bag was priced between $200 and $300. The iconic Chanel 2.55 bag cost $220 when first introduced in February 1955. Accounting for inflation, that works out to around $2,536 in today's money. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Chanel bags from some of the world's top boutiques.
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