1950s Swedish Velvet Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in
Wool, Cotton, Beech
$7,682
H 31.5 in W 58.67 in D 31.11 in
Arne Norell 'Divina' Two Seat Sofa, Westbergs Möbler AB, Sweden, 1950s
By Arne Norell
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare two seat sofa was designed by Arne Norell in the late 1950s. The model is called 'Divina
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, green/honing furniture velour.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Green/honing furniture velour, beech wood legs, brass wheels on the
Velvet, Beech
$27,183
H 31.5 in W 82.68 in D 33.47 in
Curved sheeps skin sofa model Fritz Hansen FH 1669, FDB production 1950s
By Fritz Hansen, FDB Møbler
Located in Hägersten, SE
Curved four seater sofa model 1669 by Fritz Hansen. This curved model later production on license
Sheepskin, Birch
$3,204
H 18.12 in W 43.31 in D 19.49 in
Teak and Metal Sofa Table Designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Sweden, 1950s
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare sofa table designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson. Early production from his own company when they
Metal
$12,500
H 27.96 in W 59.06 in D 30.32 in
N. A. Jørgensens Møbelfabrik Sofa Model 96 in Tibetan Sheepskin, Denmark 1950s
By N.A. Jørgensens
Located in Utrecht, NL
of Scandinavian mid-century design, while also utilizing the new techniques the 1950s brought by
Sheepskin, Wood
$5,341
H 28.75 in W 47.25 in D 29.53 in
Scandinavian "A2" Multi Table by Bengt Johan Gullberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Bengt Johan Gullberg
Located in Hägersten, SE
Company during the 1950s. Made from black lacquered steel and teak wood. Very good vintage condition with
Steel
$2,362
H 38.98 in W 52.37 in D 29.14 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, green furniture velour, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original striped green furniture velour, beech wood legs, springs in
Velvet, Beech
$14,243 / item
H 31.11 in W 55.52 in D 28.75 in
Pair of Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen Sofas, Gustav Bertelsen, Denmark, 1950s
By Gustav Bertelsen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in The Hague, NL
the master cabinet maker Gustav Bertelsen in the early 1950s. The sofa has been newly upholstered in
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Teak
$2,492
H 32.29 in W 74.81 in D 33.47 in
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture velour, carved oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original honey yellow furniture velour, carved oak wood, brass springs
Velvet, Oak
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, green furniture wool, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950-55s. Original Scandinavian craftsmanship vintage design directly from Denmark. The sofa was
Wool, Oak
$9,900
H 29.93 in W 63 in D 33.86 in
Danish Cabinetmaker Curved Sofa in Taupe Faux Shearling, Denmark, circa 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
this curved sofa, combines functionality, pragmatism, and an appeal to the senses. This sumptuous
Fabric, Wood, Faux Fur
1950s, 3-seater sofa, green furniture blend wool, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, 3-seater sofa. Green furniture blend wool, beech wood, brass springs in the seat. Sofa was
Wool, Beech
$8,066 / set
H 28.35 in W 70.87 in D 28.75 in
Finn Juhl Model 137 Sofa for France & Søn, Denmark 1950s
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Hellouw, NL
A beautifully resolved design by one of Denmark’s leading modernists, this Model 137 sofa by Finn
Fabric, Teak
$1,602
H 27.56 in W 53.15 in D 29.14 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, beige/ brown furniture fabric, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Beige/ brown furniture fabric, oak wood legs, brass springs in the
Fabric, Oak
$1,798
H 29.53 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, striped furniture wool, ash wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Striped furniture wool, ash wood legs, springs in the seat. Sofa was
Wool, Ash
$1,958
H 27.96 in W 53.94 in D 25.6 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, original green furniture velour, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original green furniture velour, oak wood, springs in the seat
Velvet, Oak
$1,187Sale Price|47% Off
H 33.47 in W 66.15 in D 34.65 in
1950s, Danish 3 seater sofa, original condition, furniture velour, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
Scandinavian 1950s design. Manufactured by Danish furniture maker in 1950-55s. The sofa was checked by
Velvet, Beech
$2,338
H 37.8 in W 58.67 in D 31.5 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater drop arm/back sofa, cherry-red furniture velour.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater drop arm/back sofa. Cherry-red furniture velour, beech wood legs with brass
Brass
$850Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.59 in W 46.07 in D 29.93 in
1950s, Danish Vintage 2 Seater Sofa, Original Very Good Condition
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish design, 2 seater lounge sofa in dark red-cherry velour with fringes. Teak wood
Velvet, Beech
$4,500
H 26.5 in W 63 in D 27.5 in
Borge Mogensen 211 Sofa in Oak and Teak by Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark 1950s
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in Troy, MI
Børge Mogensen 211 Sofa for Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark circa 1957 Solid oak and teak frame
Teak, Fabric, Oak
$8,000
H 33.08 in W 74.81 in D 26.78 in
Danish 1950s Sofa in Oak and Seagrass, Attributed to Frits Schlegel
Located in Lejre, DK
A beautifully crafted Danish Modern sofa from the 1950s, attributed to Frits Schlegel, executed in
Cane, Oak
$1,670
H 37.41 in W 61.03 in D 32.29 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, cherry-red furniture velour, ash wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Cherry-red furniture velour, ash wood legs, brass springs in the seat
Velvet, Ash
$2,219
H 27.56 in W 50.4 in D 24.81 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, original striped green furniture wool, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original striped green furniture wool, oak wood legs, brass springs in
Wool, Oak
$1,959
H 33.47 in W 72.45 in D 34.65 in
1950s, 3-seater Danish sofa, original condition, furniture velour, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, 3-seater Danish sofa. Original good condition: no smells, no stains and stable construction
Velvet, Oak
$2,314
H 35.44 in W 65.36 in D 29.53 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, salmon pink furniture velour, oak wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Salmon pink furniture velour, oak wood legs, brass springs in the seat
Velvet, Oak
$6,528
H 32.68 in W 80.71 in D 33.86 in
Børge Mogensen Three-Seat Sofa, Wool & Oak, Danish Design, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen three-seat sofa, original upholstered with dark grey 180 Hallingdal wool from
Wool, Oak
$1,839
H 33.47 in W 58.67 in D 31.5 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, beige furniture wool fabric, beech wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original very good condition: no smells, no stains and stable
Wool, Beech
$8,012
H 35.04 in W 76.78 in D 30.71 in
Danish Mid Century Wooden & Wool Sofa attributed to Kaare Klint, 1950s
By Kaare Klint
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Danish mid century three seater sculptural sofa with a stained pine wooden base and light
Wool, Pine
$2,611
H 30.32 in W 63 in D 26.78 in
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa, salmon pink velour, furniture mesh, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Salmon pink furniture velour, furniture mesh, dark beech wood, springs
Velvet, Rattan, Beech
$2,077
H 31.5 in W 64.97 in D 31.89 in
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa, green/beige furniture wool fabric, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original green and beige furniture wool fabric, oak wood, brass
Wool, Oak
$1,230
H 34.26 in W 56.7 in D 24.81 in
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa by Ehapa Møbler, original condition, wool fabric.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa by Ehapa Møbler. Original good condition: no smells, no stains and
Wool, Oak
$1,614Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 56.7 in D 29.14 in
1950s, Danish 2 seater sofa, original very good condition, ash wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2 seater sofa in original very good condition: no smells and no stains. Red furniture
Wool, Cotton, Ash
Danish 1950s Sofa in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on beech wood legs remains sturdy. The sofa
Wool, Mahogany
$11,869
H 27.56 in W 70.87 in D 30.71 in
Sofa Model 'Trienna' by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Finland, 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very good original condition. Original green leather cushions, braided natural leather in the back.
Leather, Walnut
$3,430
H 29.53 in W 63.78 in D 24.41 in
Mid-Century Danish Three-Seater Sofa in Beech and Original Fabric, ca. 1950s
Located in Rødding, DK
A sculptural solid beech three-seater sofa in the Danish Organic Modern tradition, produced by an
Fabric, Beech
$2,492
H 31.89 in W 74.81 in D 33.47 in
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa, red and light grey furniture wool, carved oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original red and light grey furniture wool, carved oak wood, brass
Wool, Oak
$10,089
H 27.56 in W 70.87 in D 30.71 in
Sofa Model 'Trienna' by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Finland, 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Stockholm, SE
Walnut and black leather. Good vintage condition with signs of usage and patina.
Leather, Walnut
$7,834 / set
H 27.56 in W 70.48 in D 29.53 in
Rosewood Sven Ivar Dysthe Reupholstered 3-Seat Sofa & a Lounge Chair, 1950s
By Sven Ivar Dysthe
Located in Paris, France
Very elegant and chic, reupholstered 3-seater sofa and a lounge chair, 1950s, composed of solid
Wool, Rosewood
$6,453Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 70.87 in D 28.75 in
Finn Juhl Japan Sofa Model 137 in Teak for France & Son, Denmark 1950s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Hellouw, NL
Amazing Finn Juhl sofa Model 137 in teak for France & Son, Denmark 1950s. This three-seater 'Japan
Fabric, Teak
Danish Three-Seat Sofa in Teak and Greenish Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, teak, fabric, Denmark, 1950s Scandinavian modern sofa with modest yet striking lines. The
Fabric, Teak
Danish Four Seat Sofa in Teak and Moss Green Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, teak, fabric, Denmark, 1950s Typical Scandinavian Modern sofa with modest yet striking lines
Fabric, Teak
Danish Four Seat Sofa in Teak and Olive Green Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Four seat sofa, teak, fabric, Denmark, 1950s Typical Scandinavian Modern sofa with modest yet
Fabric, Teak
Carl-Axel Acking table by Bodafors, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl-Axel Acking
Located in Stockholm, SE
Coffee table / side table by Carl-Axel Acking, 1950s. Produced by Bodafors.
Walnut
Elegant Side Table in Mahogany by Ole Wanscher, 1950s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Side table in mahogany, designed by Ole Wanscher for cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen. Great original condition. Measures: H.58 W.63/123 D.48 cm.
Mahogany
$2,373
H 18.51 in W 59.06 in D 22.05 in
Mid century Surfboard coffee table in oak and teak made in Sweden, 1950s
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Hägersten, SE
Surfboard shaped coffee table designed and produced in Sweden during the 1950s. Made from teak and
Oak, Teak
Elegant Low Table in Rosewood by Steffen Syrach Larsen, 1950s
By Steffen Syrach-Larsen, Gustav Bertelsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Low table in rosewood, designed by Steffen Syrach Larsen for cabinetmaker Gustav Bertelsen. Great original condition.
Rosewood
$4,000
H 22.45 in W 37.41 in D 22.84 in
Low Table in Mahogany and Patinated Leather, Danish Cabinetmaker 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Low table in mahogany and patinated leather. Designed and made in Denmark. Great condition.
Leather, Mahogany
$1,196Sale Price|30% Off
H 20.08 in W 29.53 in D 43.31 in
Lea Nevanlinna Oval Teak Coffee Table with Sculptoral Tripod Leg, 1950s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful teak coffee table from the 1950s. This table resembles the simplicity that most
Oak, Teak
$34,280
H 18.12 in W 47.25 in D 25.6 in
Rare Tapio Wirkkala Reindeer Antlers Coffee Table Model 9020, Elm, Asko 1950s
By Asko, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Helsinki, FI
is in its beautiful original condition. Stamped with manufacturer´s stamp on the bottom. Rarely does
Glass, Elm
$6,429
H 20.48 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
A Rare Tapio Wirkkala Rhythmic Veneer Coffee Table Model 9018, Asko 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Asko
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare version of the Tapio Wirkkala rhythmic veneer coffee table model 9018, aka "Angel Wings" due to the symmetric wong resembling rhythmic lines on top. The legs are detachable an...
Aluminum
Pair of Cirkus Armchairs by Carl Malmsten, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Cirkus Lounge Chair, 1950s The Cirkus Chair by Carl Malmsten was designed in the
Wool, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Swedish Sheepskin Sofa, 1950s
By Sten Wicén
Located in Stockholm, SE
, 1950s. Pair of matching easy chairs of the same model is also available. Excellent condition.
Sheepskin
2 Seater Sofa, scandinavia, 1950s
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This is a 2-seater sofa made in Sweden in the 1950s. A sofa with a simple Scandinavian design that
Fabric, Oak
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
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.
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.