Two-Piece Suite by Gunnar Sorlie for Karl Sorlie & Son, Norway
By Karl Sorlie
Located in London, GB
Two-piece suit by Gunnar Sorlie for Karl Sorlie & Son, Norway. Comprising a twin-seat loveseat and a single lounge chair.
Ash, Plywood
Freestanding Sideboard in Rosewood and Chromed Steel by Jan Lunde Knudsen
By Jan Lunde Knutsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Freestanding Sideboard in Rosewood and Chromed Steel by Jan Lunde Knudsen Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and chromed steel Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Very rare fre...
Chrome
Freestanding Desk in Rosewood and Chromed Steel by Jan Lunde Knudsen, 1960's
By Jan Lunde Knutsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Freestanding Desk in Rosewood and Chromed Steel by Jan Lunde Knudsen, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and chromed steel Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Very rare ...
Chrome
Side Table in Rosewood and Chromed Steel by Jan Lunde Knudsen, 1960's
By Jan Lunde Knutsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Side Table in Rosewood and Chromed Steel by Jan Lunde Knudsen, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and chromed steel Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Very rare side ta...
Steel
Armless Lounge Chair by Gunnar Sørlie
By Karl Sorlie
Located in Long Beach, CA
Cool little lounge chair designed by Gunnar Sorlie for Karl Sorlie & Son of Norway. Dark wood frame contrasts nicely against the newer tan leather.
Unavailable
H 29.93 in W 64.97 in D 29.53 in
Midcentury Sofa module set Saga with table by Gunnar Sørlie 1958, Norway
By Karl Sorlie
Located in Stockholm, SE
This set is designed by Gunnar Sørlie (1920-1999) and manufactured by Karl Sørlie & Sønner (later Sørliemøbler) in 1958.
Leather, Fabric, Teak
Easy Chair by Gunnar Sørlie
Located in Oslo, NO
An superb example of a chair by Gunnar Sørlie for Karl Sørlie og Sønn. Teak frame and a wool mix upholstery.
Teak, Wool
Sold
H 29.53 in W 70.08 in D 27.56 in
SAGA Model Modular Two Seater, Sofa by Gunnar Sørlie for Sønner, Norway
By Sonner Sarpsborg, Karl Sorlie
Located in Antwerp, BE
Teak modular sofa from the 1960s by Gunnar Sørlie for Karl Sørlie & Sønner, Sarpsborg.
Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 92.52 in
Large Scandinavian Teak and Fabric Modular Sofa by Gunnar Sørlie for Karl Sørlie
By Karl Sorlie
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian sofa composed of 3 seats and a mobile tablet to arrange the furniture according to your taste. Very fine and graceful, this functional piece of furniture offers g...
Brass
Sold
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 51.19 in
Scandinavian Teak & Fabric 2-Seat Sofa by Gunnar Sørlie for Karl Sørlie & Sønner
By Karl Sorlie
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian sofa composed of 2 movable seats. Very fine and graceful, this functional piece of furniture offers great comfort and a beautiful design. A three-seater sofa and ...
Brass
$7,800 / set
H 32 in W 29 in D 30 in
Set of Lounge Chairs by Rolf Rastad and Adolf Relling, Norway, 1950s
By Dokka Mobler, Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad
Located in Westport, CT
An exceptional pair of 1950s Norwegian lounge chairs designed by Rolf Rastad and Adolf Relling for Dokka Møbler. Each chair features an elegantly sculpted teak frame, fully refinishe...
Leather, Bouclé, Teak
Pair of Two Armchairs, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made of oak, original upholstery - Made in Czechoslovakia - Suitable for renovation upholstery - Good, original condition.
Fabric, Oak
Pair of Side Tables by Knud Joos for Jason Mobler, 1960s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of side tables with a rosewood veneer top floating on a steel base, labeled 'Illums Bolighus, Kobenhavn'.
Steel
Side Table Made In Rosewood Of Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
The side table crafted from rosewood and showcasing Danish design from the 1960s is a striking example of mid-century modern elegance. Rosewood, prized for its rich hues and distin...
Rosewood
Cees Braakman Rosewood Executive Desk for Pastoe, 1950s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Braakman's executive desk for Pastoe features a floating rosewood-veneered top with a black-stained accent beneath, creating a pronounced shadow gap that lifts the surface visually f...
Chrome
$5,875
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Desk With Drawers And Bookshelf, Rosewood Veneer, Plated Metal, 1960
Located in Berlin, DE
Mid-century desk with six drawers on one side and a bookshelf on the other. Rosewood veneer and bent metal feet, Germany, circa 1960
Metal
$25,423 / set
H 31.11 in W 32.29 in D 31.11 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Carl-Axel Acking for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1950s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Carl-Axel Acking
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of rare lounge chairs by Carl-Axel Acking in an imposing, luxurious design. Hefty oak frame with wide armrests and an elegant, open silhouette. Rust red leather upholstery.
Leather, Oak
Sideboard in Rosewood and Steel by Ib Kofod-Larsen, 1960s
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sideboard in Rosewood and Steel by Ib Kofod-Larsen, 1960s Additional Information: Material: Rosewood, steel Style: midcentury, Scandinavian Produced by Brande Møbelfabrik in De...
Rosewood
$1,600
H 15.75 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
MCM Rosewood & Chrome Coffee or Side Table in the Manner of Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Beautiful square rosewood coffee table from the 1950s-1960s. Square tube chrome legs. Provenance: it had been styled seamlessly next to a Milo Baughman rosewood case sofa, also wi...
Chrome
$49,095
H 28.35 in W 96.07 in D 18.51 in
Rosewood Sideboard by Ib Kofod-Larsen, Scandinavian Modern, 1958
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sideboard in Rosewood by Ib Kofod-Larsen, 1958 Additional Information: Material: Rosewood Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare sideboard model ‘Trol’ Produced by Seffle möbelfabrik...
Rosewood
$7,344
H 28.55 in W 84.65 in D 39.38 in
1960s Excecutive Brazilian Rosewood Desk by Finn Juhl in Excellent Condition
By France & Daverkosen, Finn Juhl
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s excecutive Brazilian rosewood desk by Finn Juhl in excellent condition Impressive "Technocrat" executive desk designed by Finn Juhl for Frances and Son in the 1960s. The unus...
Rosewood
$11,163
H 19.69 in W 82.68 in D 32.49 in
Sideboard / Credenza In Rosewood By Kai Kristiansen From 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Sideboard in rosewood designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik. Danish design from the 1960s with aluminum handles and feet. — Origin: Denmark — Designer: Kai Kristian...
Aluminum
$2,995 / set
H 31.75 in W 25 in D 24 in
Pair of Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Sculptural "ELLA" Chairs by Arne Vodder
By Arne Vodder
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic pair of Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Sculptural "ELLA" Chairs by Arne Vodder for Vamo Sonderborg Mobfabrik. Special chairin that the backr is completely free to move to ...
Leather, Teak
Rosewood Desk by Arne Vodder for Sibast Furniture 1960s
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Lejre, DK
Rosewood desk designed by Arne Vodder and manufactured by Sibast Furniture in the 1960s. The desk features a large work surface and a classic Danish design from the period. — Origin...
Rosewood
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs in walnut by Folke Ohlsson, produced by DUX, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Teak
$16,270Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Ole Wanscher Freestanding Desk in Rosewood Made by A.J. Iversen, Copenhagen 1959
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Odense, DK
Rare and important desk designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured at master cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen in 1959. Exhibited at the Danish Cabinetmakers Guild exhibition the same year. T...
Rosewood
Lothar Klute brutalist coffee table
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
rare and early coffee table by Lothar Klute very good condition with slight signs of use and patina 62.5 cm x 60,5 cm x 41 cm height
Iron
$3,305 / item
H 14 in W 48 in D 8 in
4-foot Pendant Light in Black Walnut with Brass Fixtures by Hinterland Design
By Hinterland Design
Located in Vancouver, BC
It’s believed that ancient Egyptians may have had the technology to harness electricity and create light thousands of years ago. This technology is referred to as the light of the De...
Brass
$6,500 / item
H 14 in W 36 in D 20 in
Modern Oval Coffee Table in Oak Wood Cylinder Base and Glass by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Palazzo oval coffee table with green and ivory glass sits on 2 Rift White Oak Wood pedestals by Ercole Home. This new bespoke coffee table design by Ercole Home is available today fo...
Art Glass, Cut Glass, Oak
$1,650 / item
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$2,800 / item
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 13.39 in
Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Black Leather 21st Century Modern
By Joanina and David Pastoll
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with the sheets of soft leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable experie...
Steel
$1,149
H 14.97 in W 18.9 in D 1.19 in
An Arts and Crafts hand hammered copper oval mirror with riveted straps
Located in London, GB
An Arts and Crafts hand hammered copper oval mirror with riveted straps and the original bevelled mirror.
Copper
$28,000
H 14.5 in W 48 in D 35.5 in
Paul Frankl Cork Amoeba Cloud Coffee Cocktail Table Model 5005 USA 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Troy, MI
Paul T Frankl cork top Amoeba or Cloud cocktail table Model 5005 Johnson Furniture circa 1950s Asymmetrical lacquered cork surface on four sculpted and splayed mahogany legs Signed ...
Mahogany, Cork
Outdoor Metal Sconce, Made in Italy
Located in Culver City, CA
Outdoor Metal Sconce Includes three frosted glass panes and wrought iron detailing. 10"w x 5"d x 17"h Made in Italy *Please Note: This fixture is made to order in Italy, and com...
Metal
Stingray Chandelier Brass by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Stingray chandelier brass by 101 Copenhagen Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl. Dimensions: L 152 cm x W 121 cm x H 70 cm Materials: Brass Lampshade & Ceiling cup: 100...
Aluminum, Brass
Model 2098 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Model 2098 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1960s. Smoked brown tinted panels paired with an etched bottom diffuser. This fixture...
Crystal, Brass
$4,057
H 35.04 in W 78.75 in D 30.32 in
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, Hardwood Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, with Mahogany Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery with Leather Trim. Usable condition. Bespoke quote can be provided for re-upholstery.
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
$44,067
H 30.71 in W 74.81 in D 37.01 in
Writing Desk by Silvio Cavatorta in Solid Walnut and Glass, Italy, 1950's
By Silvio Cavatorta
Located in Uithoorn, NL
A large symmetrical desk by Silvio Cavatorta in solid walnut with on both sides 3 drawers and in the middle a larger drawer with key and lock. For whom this lock is not safe enough...
Glass, Walnut
$338 / item
H 31 in W 17.25 in D 20 in
Riccardo Blumer Alias 301 Laleggera 32 Stacking Maple Chairs with steel trolleys
By Alias, Riccardo Blumer
Located in London, GB
32 x Ricardo Blumer for Alias 301 Laleggera model '301' lightweight stacking chairs, all priced individually (£250 per chair) There are 5 x steel trolleys available separately at £1...
Birch
$8,000 / set
H 32 in W 22 in D 19 in
Set of Four Rare Early Production Eero Saarinen for Knoll Dining Chairs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Ferndale, MI
From the put me in a museum collection. Out of long long term storage. The Earliest production set of four Eero Saarinen for HG Knoll executive chairs I have ever seen. All four on f...
Aluminum, Steel
late 1940s desk by Gio Ponti in walnut wood
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vigevano, PV
late 1940s desk by Gio Ponti in walnut wood and formica top. this desk was made for a house in milan, designed by gio ponti and emilio lancia.
Formica, Walnut
$40,600
H 29.3 in W 28.35 in D 31.5 in
Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner "Costela" Lounge Chair, Brazil, 1953
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an iconic Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler (1913 - 1977) in 1953 and manufactured by the companies Móveis Artesanal and Fo...
Steel
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.
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.