Artful Dodger
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Birch, Fabric
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Fabric
Vintage 1940s Danish Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Oak, Teak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Birch, Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Fabric
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Mahogany, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Sheet Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Birch
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Leather, Mahogany, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Metal
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Paintings
Canvas, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Birch, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Birch, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Birch, Leather
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Wall Mirrors
Metal, Copper
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Sheepskin, Wood
Vintage 1930s American Books
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Photography
Archival Pigment
Early 2000s Abstract Abstract Paintings
Oil
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bergere Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bergere Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
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Artful Dodger For Sale on 1stDibs
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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.
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Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
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