Menu Space
Early 20th Century More Dining and Entertaining
Porcelain
1990s Historical Memorabilia
Paper
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Steel
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Steel
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Steel
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Sofas
Brass
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Steel
20th Century Armchairs
Upholstery
2010s Figurative Paintings
Oil, Panel
1980s Surrealist Figurative Prints
Lithograph
21st Century and Contemporary Books
Paper
2010s Cubist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Pencil
1930s American Impressionist Nude Paintings
Oil
1930s Cubist Landscape Paintings
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Late 20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Prints
Mezzotint
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Photography
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Photography
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Photography
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Photography
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Photography
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Photography
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century French Romantic Easels
Wrought Iron
1980s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Paint, Paper, Mixed Media
1980s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper, Photographic Film, Archival Paper
1980s American Modern Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Black and White Photography
Archival Pigment
People Also Browsed
2010s Mexican American Craftsman Center Tables
Hardwood, Oak
2010s American Modern Stools
Brass
2010s American Minimalist Benches
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Aluminum
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal, Brass
2010s American Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Stoneware
2010s American Modern Table Lamps
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Blown Glass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
Vintage 1970s European Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s Historical Memorabilia
Other
2010s American Modern Night Stands
Ash
2010s Turkish Night Stands
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Night Stands
Wood
2010s Korean Modern Side Tables
Acrylic
Recent Sales
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
Menu Space For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Menu Space?
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.