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 front legs.
Velvet, Beech
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 were established in Åhus, Sweden. Done sometime during the 1950s. Black lacquered met...
Metal
N. A. Jørgensens Møbelfabrik Sofa Model 96 in Tibetan Sheepskin, Denmark 1950s
By N.A. Jørgensens
Located in Utrecht, NL
Dating from a period of unbridled creation, this exceptional sofa upholstered in Tibetan sheepskin preserves the traditional ideals of Scandinavian mid-century design, while also uti...
Sheepskin, Wood
1950s, 3-seater Danish sofa, green furniture velour, teak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, 3-seater Danish sofa. Striped green furniture velour, laqered teak wood, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Teak
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa, original red/beige furniture wool.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original red/beige furniture wool and beige furniture velour.
Wool, Velvet, Beech
Pair of Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen Sofas, Gustav Bertelsen, Denmark, 1950s
By Gustav Bertelsen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptionally rare two seater sofa was designed by Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen and produced by the master cabinet maker Gustav Bertelsen in the early 1950s. The sofa has been new...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Teak
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 the seat.
Velvet, Beech
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, furniture velour, oak wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Furniture velour, oak wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
Scandinavian "A2" Multi Table by Bengt Johan Gullberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Bengt Johan Gullberg
Located in Hägersten, SE
Multi table model "A2" designed by Bengt Johan Gullberg. Produced in Sweden by Gullberg Trading Company during the 1950s. Made from black lacquered steel and teak wood. Very good vin...
Steel
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 in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
Danish Cabinetmaker Curved Sofa in Taupe Faux Shearling, Denmark, circa 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Mid-Century Modern style celebrated functionality, and this is still a key tenant when decorating homes of the 21st century. And it is no surprise, because the furniture from this pe...
Fabric, Wood, Faux Fur
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, green furniture wool, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Green furniture wool fabric, oak wood, brass springs.
Wool, Oak
1950s, 2 seater Danish highback sofa, furniture velour, laqered teak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, 2 seater Danish highback sofa. Green furniture velour, laqered teak wood, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Teak
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 Juhl was produced in the 1950s by France & Søn.
Fabric, Teak
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.
Wool, Ash
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 seat.
Fabric, Oak
$1,181Sale Price|47% Off
1950s, Danish 3 seater sofa, original condition, furniture velour, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
Original red furniture velour, beech wood legs, brass springs in the seat. The sofa is a classic Scandinavian 1950s design. Manufactured by Danish furniture maker in 1950-55s.
Velvet, Beech
$849Sale Price|20% Off
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. Original very good condition. No smells, no stains. Legs of stained beech wood. Brass sp...
Velvet, Beech
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
Borge Mogensen 211 Sofa in Oak and Teak by Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark 1950s
By Fredericia Stolefabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Troy, MI
Børge Mogensen 211 Sofa for Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark circa 1957 Solid oak and teak frame with finger joint detail and exposed webbing Loose seat cushions in a period striped c...
Teak, Fabric, Oak
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
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 solid oak with a handwoven seagrass seat and backrest. The sofa displays the refine...
Cane, Oak
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 wheels, brass springs in the seat.
Brass
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 the seat.
Wool, Oak
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
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 construction.
Wool, Beech
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 green wool fabric upholstery and cushions attributed to Kaare Klint produced in Denmark...
Wool, Pine
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 in the seat.
Velvet, Rattan, Beech
Göran Malmvall "Svensk Fur" Pine Sofa / Bench for Karl Andersson & Söner, 1950s
By Goran Malmvall, Svensk Fur
Located in Odense, DK
Designed by Göran Malmvall for Karl Andersson & Söner, this iconic two-seat sofa / bench is part of the celebrated Svensk Fur series. Crafted from pine, it features the collection's ...
Pine, Fabric, Textile, Upholstery
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 springs in the seat.
Wool, Oak
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 stable construction.
Wool, Oak
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
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 fabric, dark lacquered ash wood legs and armrests. Brass springs in the seat. New ...
Wool, Cotton, Ash
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
Danish 1950s Sofa in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on beech wood legs remai...
Wool, Mahogany
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 accomplished Danish cabinetmaker workshop in the 1950s and upholstered in a richly c...
Fabric, Beech
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
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 springs in the seat.
Wool, Oak
$6,443Sale Price|20% Off
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.
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.
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 striking lines.
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
Eva and Nils Koppel lounge chair "Koppel", Denmark, 1950s
By Eva & Niels Koppel, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This lounge chair has the best characteristics of Danish mid-century modern design. Its comfort and delicate design elements make this three-seater the most coveted work of Eva and N...
Beech, Fabric
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
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
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
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 solid oak in the legs. Very good vintage condition with some signs of age related w...
Oak, Teak
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 Finnish designers identified with in their minimalistic designs of the 1930s-1970s. Noth...
Oak, Teak
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
$14,443 / set
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 early 1950s and has become one of his most well-loved and distinctive designs from h...
Wool, Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Swedish Sheepskin Sofa, 1950s
By Sten Wicén
Located in Stockholm, SE
Reupholstered in white sheepskin from Skandilock. Produced by Sten Wicéns Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1950s. Pair of matching easy chairs of the same model is also available. Excellent c...
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 allows you to feel the warmth of oak.
Fabric, Oak
Hans Wegner GE258 Sofa Bed for Getama, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Kampen, NL
Designed by Hans Wegner for Getama in the 1950s, the GE258 is a versatile Danish sofa that can easily be transformed into a bed. Made from solid oak, it features Wegner’s characteris...
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.
Vintage couches and antique sofas have anchored living rooms for generations. The pieces most sought after today carry the deep-buttoned tufting of a Chesterfield or the low, sculptural ease of mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency design.
Styles to Know
Rolled arms and tufted backs point to Mid-Century Modern or Hollywood Regency pieces, while tight backs and turned legs skew more traditional. Velvet is enjoying a renewed moment across most of these silhouettes; see our velvet chesterfield sofa trend report for examples. A mid-century modern coffee table within reach and a vintage mirror nearby round out the seating area.
How to Choose the Right Vintage Sofa
A sofa's frame and upholstery history can be difficult to judge from photographs alone. Ask a seller for more information when a listing doesn't show the fabric or joinery clearly, and confirm whether the upholstery is original or has been redone. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and the 1stDibs Promise stands behind every purchase.
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.