$23,500 / item
1956 'Sampsel' Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The 1956 'Sampsel' Sofa by Carl Malmsten is a timeless design steeped in history.
Wood
"Sampsel" Sofa by Carl Malmsten, circa 1950
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa entitled “Sampsel” in beechwood, designed and edited by Carl Malmsten in 1950.
Beech
20th Century Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern “Sampsel” sofa by Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjoegren.
Fabric, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden. Reupholstered in Melton wool fabric from Abraham Moon. Stained beech legs.
Wool, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden. Reupholstered in Melton wool fabric from Abraham Moon. Stained beech legs.
Wool, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden. Reupholstered in Melton wool fabric from Abraham Moon. Stained beech legs.
Wool, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden. Reupholstered in Melton wool fabric from Abraham Moon. Stained beech legs.
Wool, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden. Reupholstered in Melton wool fabric from Abraham Moon. Stained beech legs.
Wool, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Sampsel' sofa First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden.
Wool, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Sampsel' Sofa First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden.
Wool, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden. Reupholstered in Melton wool fabric from Abraham Moon. Stained beech legs.
Wool, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden. Reupholstered in Melton wool fabric from Abraham Moon. Stained beech legs.
Wool, Beech
Boucle Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' sofa First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnas, Sweden. This example has been reupholstered in luxurious bouclé wool fabric from Dedar, Mil...
Wool, Beech
Vintage Swedish Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
The Samspel 2-seat sofa was first designed in 1956 by Swedish master Carl Malmsten and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden. This example has been completely Reupholstered in dus...
Wool, Beech
Vintage Sampsel Armchair by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Vintage armchair designed by Carl Malmsten in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Sweden. This listing is for an example with its original upholstery intact and ready for new fabric. T...
Wool, Beech
Pair of Sampsel Armchairs by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
A pair of armchairs designed by Carl Malmsten in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Sweden. This pair have been reupholstered in Chase Erwin 'Embrace', a luxurious boucle fabric. The ...
Wool, Beech
Sampsel Sofa by Carl Malmsten T250
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Armadale, Victoria
Sampsel sofa by Carl Malmsten. This sofa has the original wool fabric.
Beech, Fabric
Carl Malmsten Sampsel Sofa/Settee
Located in Hudson, NY
Curving camel-back sofa with spring seat construction, tapering birch legs and sculptural arms. In original wool upholstery. Made by AB Record, Bollnäs, Sweden.
$8,000
H 33.86 in W 70.87 in D 26.78 in
Midcentury Modern Rare Carl Malmsten Velvet "Samsas" Sofa Sweden, 1960s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This midcentury icon sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten and this one was produced by O.H Sjögren. The sofa has a rare fabric in shifting red/pink velvet. It’s in good vintage conditi...
Velvet, Birch
Carl Cederholm, Sofa, Fabric, Wood, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Cederholm
Located in High Point, NC
A green fabric and dark-stained wood sofa designed by Carl Cederholm and produced by Stil & Form, Sweden, 1940s. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Seat Height (inches): 17” A...
Fabric, Wood
Swedish Modern Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten 1950's
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Uccle, BE
This Samspel 2 seaters sofa has been reupholstered in a cotton blend-Villa Nova Bari fabric parchment color. This “Samspel” or Interplay sofa was created by Carl Malmsten, one of Sw...
Cotton, Beech
1950s Swedish Sheepskin Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden, the 'Samspel' sofa is one of the finest pieces to be drawn by Sweden's...
Beech, Sheepskin
Sheepskin Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' sofa This iconic piece of Swedish furniture was designed in 1956 by master cabinetmaker Carl Malmsten. It was produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden. Thi...
Sheepskin, Beech
Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Sofa for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1960s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
“Samsas” is for many the most associated series with Carl Malmsten. The designer devoted his life to the renewal of traditional Swedish craftsmanship, inspired by Swedish country man...
Fabric, Wood
"Divina" sofa by Arne Norell, Westbergs möbler, Sweden, 1950s
By Arne Norell
Located in Hägersten, SE
"Divina" two seater sofa attributed to Arne Norell. Produced in Sweden by Westbergs Möbler during the 1950s. Stained beech legs and new upholstery in light beige "Hallingdal" wool fa...
Wool, Beech
Vintage "Ingeborg" sofa by Flemming Lassen, Denmark, 1940s
By Flemming Lassen, Asko
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful “Ingeborg” sofa by Flemming Lassen, with curvesome forms. Designed in 1940 and named after his mother, the artist Ingeborg Winding. Upholstered with caramel colored sheepsk...
Lambskin, Birch
$13,714
H 33.08 in W 63 in D 31.89 in
Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, Reupholstered Sheepskin, Sweden, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This model” Samspel” sofa was designed by Carl Malmsten in 1956 and manufactured during that time at AB Record Bollnäs Sweden. The sofa has been fully reupholstered and now have its ...
Sheepskin
Carl Malmsten Samspel Sofa in Wool Velvet 1950s
By Dagmar, Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa, 1956 The Samspel sofa was designed in 1956 and first produced by AB Record in Bollnäs, Sweden. It is one of the finest pieces to be designed by Malmste...
Mohair, Velvet, Wool, Oak
Sofa by Gösta Jonsson, ca 1940. Jönköping, Sweden
By Gösta Jonsson
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine sofa by Swedish designer, Gösta Jonsson, upholstered in sheepskin. ca 1940 produced in Jönköping, Sweden. Gösta Jonsson (1902-1958) was a Swedish furniture designer and archite...
Wood, Sheepskin
Swedish Modern Sofa from Berga Möbler, Sweden, 1940s
By Berga Mobler
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant Swedish Modern sofa from Berga Möbler, with rounded lines and fun sculpted legs. Original mole colored plush upholstery.
Wood
Carl-Johan Boman, Sofa, Fabric, Wood, Finland, 1940s
By Carl-Johan Boman
Located in High Point, NC
A white fabric and wood sofa designed by Carl-Johan Boman and produced by Oy Boman Ab, Finland, c. 1940s. Loss of some tufted buttons and some distress to fabric consistent with age...
Fabric, Wood
Ilmari Lappalainen "Laila" Sofa for Asko, Finland 1950s
By Ilmari Lappalainen
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Laila” models from the series by the Finnish designer Ilmari Lappalainen originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappala...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Swedish Samsas Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stunning and extremely comfortable vintage Swedish Samsas sofa by Carl Malmsten. This was recently imported from Sweden, it dates from the 1960’s. This is of extremely high qualit...
Bouclé, Beech
Rare Sofa Attributed to Gerhard Berg, Norway, 1950s
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare sofa produced in Norway. Attributed to Norwegian designer Gerhard Berg. Most likely produced at LK Hjelle in Norway during the 1950s. Teak legs and armrests. New upholstery in o...
Bouclé, Teak
$2,800 / set
H 14.75 in W 8.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Art Deco Style Murano Glass Demi Lune Wall Sconces, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Art Deco style Murano glass demi lune wall sconces, in stock One LED E26 base socket. Black glass sphere and brass fittings. Textured Murano glass, Wired to the American sta...
Brass
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
Pair of French Wrought Iron Martini Tables
Located in London, GB
Wrought iron martini tables, hand made in England inspired by an original 1940s French design. Finished with a natural bronze patina as standard. Can also be supplied in black or gi...
Iron
$2,121 / item
H 4.15 in W 5.35 in D 7.75 in
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconce
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' verdigris patinated outdoor sconce. An exclusive made for U.S. and UL listed authorized re-edition of the classic Swedish design executed in rich...
Metal
Rosso Glass Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Crafted in the finest Murano tradition, this exquisite Venetian mirror is a true work of art. Assembled with crystal and gold elements, and adorned with red glass flowers, each piece...
Glass
"Perf" Sideboard in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel
By Diesel Creative Team 1, Moroso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Perf" is a credenza, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, in varnished steel black mat, with doors in varnished steel available in these colors: copper, blac...
Steel
$2,800 / set
H 17.5 in W 10.5 in D 6.5 in
Pair of Art Deco Style Murano Smoked Glass Wall Sconces, Italy Contemporary
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Art Deco style Murano smoked glass wall lights, contemporary Smoked / fume color and horizontal striation texture Black opaline finial and brass accents Art Deco inspired de...
Brass
1950s Swedish Velvet Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden, the 'Samspel' sofa is one of the finest pieces to be drawn by Sweden...
Wool, Cotton, Beech
Danish Cabinetmaker Curved Sofa Sheepskin c1940s
Located in London, England
This wonderfully curved sofa, produced by a Danish Cabinetmaker in the 1940s, has an inviting back and wrap around arms. It also features a curved seat and has been totally refurbish...
Sheepskin, Oak
Carl Malmsten Vintage Samspel Sofa in Mohair Velvet 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa, 1956 Malmsten's iconic curved sofa was designed in 1956 and produced by Swedish cabinetmakers AB Record in Bollnas. It is considered one the finest exa...
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
1940’s Danish Curved Sofa
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Turners Falls, MA
1940’s curved Danish sofa. Original upholstery. Birch legs.
Upholstery, Birch
$68,572
H 61.42 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Axel Einar Hjorth Wooden "Lovö" Pine Cabinet for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare "Lovö" cabinet in stained pine wood by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm Sweden, 1930s. In good original condition. Key is included. Dimensions: H: 156 c...
Wrought Iron
Sheepskin Sofa by Alfred Christensen c1950s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in London, England
Alfred Christensen - Tisso Love Seat Sofa The official re-edition of this classic love-seat sofa by Danish designer and cabinetmaker: Alfred Christensen which was originally produce...
Sheepskin, Oak
Carl Malmsten, a prominent furniture designer and educator associated with Swedish modernism, enjoyed immense popularity for his shapely sofas and armchairs in luscious color palettes. Malmsten believed that light — much like our eyes and bodies — doesn’t like to bump into sharp objects. Smooth edges, on the other hand, are kinder to the eye and and to our touch, and allow light to softly bounce off surfaces. Malmsten felt that if his furniture didn’t “serve well” in the home, it had no business being there.
Malmsten’s career essentially began in 1915, when his submissions for a competition to furnish the new Stockholm City Hall were first- and second-place prize winners. In the 1920s, his profile soared. He won a prize at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — the show that brought the Art Deco style to worldwide attention — and quickly became one of the most sought-after designers of commercial seating in Sweden.
Malmsten was soon contracted to design chairs, tables and other furniture for the Stockholm Concert Hall, the Swedish Institute in Rome and the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. His famous Art Nouveau-influenced Stadshusstolen chair, designed for Stockholm City Hall in 1916, is a highlight of the city’s recently opened Museum of Furniture Studies. Malmsten expanded into interior design and created a luxurious, well-appointed living room in the palace of then-Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and his bride, Crown Princess Louise.
In the 1930s, Malmsten clashed with critics when he voiced his opposition to functionalism. Like Danish modernist Kaare Klint, he favored using quality local materials and prized traditional craftsmanship. Malmsten’s furniture draws on graceful neoclassical influences, and he said that extreme functionalism contributed to “sterile” interiors — while the curving contours of his work may share ground with furniture designed by Alvar Aalto or Bruno Mathsson, Malmsten differed with Bauhaus eminences and some Scandinavian modernists on their prioritization of functionalism.
For an exhibition in 1956 at the Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg, Malmsten designed furniture that was intended for mass production — and his striking designs began to make their way into middle-class Swedish homes owing to Malmsten’s partnerships with manufacturers such as O.H. Sjögren. Until then, he had built his pieces at the school he founded in the 1930s or had them made by artisans at several small local workshops.
Malmsten founded a number of schools for design and collaborated with other designers who shared his philosophy of “hand and mind in creative collaboration.” These included the esteemed textile artist Märta Måås Fjetterström, whose pieces he included in exhibits and even his own home.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Carl Malmsten seating, tables, cabinets and more.
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.