Black Scandinavian Drawers
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Oak
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Pewter
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Console Tables
Marble, Travertine, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Console Tables
Marble, Travertine, Metal
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Jewelry Boxes
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Credenzas
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Metal
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Teak
Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Laminate, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests ...
Pewter
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Faux Leather, Teak
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Leather, Teak, Pine
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Pine
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sideboards
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Louis XVI Dressers
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
Birch, Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique 1850s Swedish Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique Late 18th Century Scandinavian Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of ...
Pine
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Faux Leather, Beech, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sideboards
Teak
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Teak, Glass
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
Rosewood
Black Scandinavian Drawers For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Black Scandinavian Drawers?
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
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; 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.