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.
Sheepskin, 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
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
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.
Mohair, Velvet, Wool, Oak
Carl Malmsten Vintage Samspel Sofa in Mohair Velvet 1950s
By 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.
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
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.
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
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.
Sheepskin
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" Sofa for Ab Record, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
This model “Samspel” sofa was first introduced at the exhibition at Röhsska Museet (the Swedish Museum of Design and Crafts) in Gothenburg in 1956.
Wool, Wood
Swedish Modern Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten 1950's
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Uccle, BE
This Samspel 2 seaters sofa has been reupholstered in a cotton blend-Villa Nova Bari fabric parchment color.
Cotton, Beech
Unavailable
H 32.29 in W 61.03 in D 31.5 in
Carl Malmsten Samspel Sofa, Newly Produced, Designed in 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Tranås, SE
The sofa Samspel was designed by Carl Malmsten in 1956 and was then produced by the furniture company AB Record in Bollnäs.
Wool, Oak, Pine
Unavailable
H 32.68 in W 61.82 in D 28.35 in
Three-Seat Sofa Model Samspel Designed by Carl Malmsten for O.H Sjögren
By O.H. Sjögren
Located in Helsingborg, SE
Three-seat sofa model Samspel designed by Carl Malmsten for O.H Sjögren in Tranås, Sweden, 1960s.
Beech, Fabric
"Samspel" Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sweden: "Samspel" sofa by Carl Malmsten, circa 1955.
Beech, Fabric
1950’s Swedish “Samspel” Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Turners Falls, MA
1950’s “Samspel” Sofa designed by renowned Swedish designer Carl Malmsten.
Upholstery, Beech
Sheepskin Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa This iconic piece of Swedish furniture was designed in 1956 by master-designer Carl Malmsten.
Sheepskin, Beech
Sheepskin Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa This iconic piece of Swedish furniture was designed in 1956 by master-designer Carl Malmsten.
Sheepskin, Beech
Sold
H 32.68 in W 61.03 in L 32.68 in
Mid-Century Modern Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, Sweden for AB Records, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
“Samspel” sofa designed by Carl Malmsten, produced by AB Record in Bollnäs, Sweden during the 1950s.
Wool, Beech
Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Kramfors, SE
The model was designed 1956. The sofa has a completely renovated padding in traditional natural materials - no foam rubber has been used and new fabric.
Swedish Modern Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten 1950's
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Uccle, BE
This Samspel 2 seaters sofa has been reupholstered. It was created by Carl Malmsten, one of Sweden's best known furniture designers.
Fabric, Cotton, Wood, Beech
Carl Malmsten Samspel sofa by O.H Sjögren in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Mid century sofa model Samspel designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by O.H Sjögren in Tranås, Sweden.
Beech
Carl Malmsten Samspel Sofa by O.H SjöGren in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa model Samspel designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by O.H Sjögren in Tranås, Sweden.
Beech
Sold
H 33.08 in W 63 in D 31.89 in
Scandinavian modern sheepskin sofa 'Samspel' by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Carl Malmstens classic 'Samspel' sofa. Designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record, Bollnäs, Sweden.
Sheepskin, Beech
Sold
H 33.08 in W 63 in D 31.89 in
Scandinavian modern sheepskin sofa 'Samspel' by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A classic piece by Carl Malmsten, the Samspel sofa was designed in 1956 and manufactured by AB Record in Bollnäs, Sweden.
Sheepskin, Beech
Carl Malmsten, Sofas "Samspel", Sweden, 1940-50s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of sofas model Samspel by Carl Malmsten, 1940/-50´s.
Wool
Carl Malmsten 1950s Sofa Model Samspel for O.H. Sjogren
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Mid-Century 2 1/2 seat sofa model Samspel (meaning interplay in Swedish) designed by Swedish design icon, Carl Malmsten in 1955 for O.H.
Wool, Beech
Carl Malmsten 1950s Sofa Model Samspel for O.H. Sjögren
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Mid-Century 2 1/2 seat sofa model Samspel (meaning interplay in Swedish) designed by Swedish design icon, Carl Malmsten in 1955 for O.H.
Wool, Beech
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.
Sheepskin, Beech
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.
Beech, Sheepskin
1950s Swedish Boucle Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' sofa 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 design ico...
Wool, Beech, Cotton
1950s Swedish Velvet Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' sofa 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 design ico...
Wool, Cotton, Beech
Sold
H 31.5 in W 61.03 in D 27.56 in
Carl Malmsten Samspel Sofa / Loveseat, 1950s, Sweden, for recovering
By Finn Juhl, Carl Malmsten
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Carl Malmsten mid-20th century Samspel sofa / loveseat, produced by O.H. Sjogren, Sweden.
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 61.03 in D 27.56 in
Carl Malmsten Samspel Sofa / Loveseat, O.H. Sjogren, 1950s, Sweden
By Finn Juhl, Carl Malmsten
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Carl Malmsten mid-20th century Samspel sofa / loveseat, produced by O.H. Sjogren, Sweden.
Fabric, Wood
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.
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
20th Century Grey Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, Swedish Settee
By Carl Malmsten
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 20th century, a vintage Samspel sofa made of walnut, upholstered in grey fabric.
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 61.82 in D 29.14 in
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" Sofa for AB Record Bollnäs, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Samspel”, or “Interaction” sofa model was first introduced at the exhibition at Röhsska Museet (the Swedish Museum of Design and Crafts) in Gothenburg in 1956.
Fabric, Wood
Sofa "Samspel" by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A classic piece by Carl Malmsten, the Samspel sofa was designed in 1956 and manufactured by AB Record in Bollnäs, Sweden.
Sheepskin, 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.
Wool, Beech
Easy Chairs Attributed to Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely pair of Swedish 1950s easy chairs attributed to Carl Malmsten, similar to his Classic “Samspel” sofa. Makes a loveseat sofa when put together.
Sheepskin, Wood
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.
Wool, Beech
Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Armadale, Victoria
Samspel sofa by Carl Malmsten. This sofa has the original wool fabric.
Wool, Beech
Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
Located in Chicago, IL
Samspel sofa by Carl Malmsten
Upholstery, Beech
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" Mid-20th Century Loveseat ca 1950
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Richmond, VA
Carl Malmsten was the most prolific Swedish furniture designer of the 20th century. The "Samspel" sofa is one of his signature and most beautiful upholstered pieces.
Birch
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" Sofa
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" sofa designed in 1955 and produced by O.H.
Fabric, Birch
$7,585
H 9.45 in Dm 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern German Cocoon Pendant Lamp by Friedel Wauer for Goldkant
By Friedel Wauer, Goldkant Leuchten
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare Mid-Century Cocoon pendant lamp by Goldkant Leuchten. The flat Cocoon shade provides diffuse, atmospheric light. At the same time, the symmetrical lamp body presents itself as ...
Metal
Modern Iron and Leather Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern iron and leather bench with a hammered iron modern tapered frame and box leather upholstered seat cushion. Dimensions 30" W x 14" D x 18" H.
Iron
Pair of Modern Walnut Side Tables
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Pacific walnut side table, the square top with rounded corners and a reeded edge above a similar under tier, on bobbin turned legs. Dimensions: 26" W x 26" D x 28.5" H.
Wood
$20,000 / item
H 30.5 in Dm 72 in
Large Carved Belgian Bluestone Round Dining/Center Table w/ Baluster-Form Base
Located in San Francisco, CA
Made from Belgian bluestone with a honed finish and embedded with fossils, the table is comprised of a thick round top with dupont edge and baluster-form support on an octagonal plin...
Stone
$7,200 / item
H 14 in Dm 36 in
Grand Mid-Century Flush Mount Uplight Ceiling Lamp from Filmcasino Vienna, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
We are delighted to present this stunning bowl-shaped pendant light / uplight plafoniere / flush mount light fixture dating back to the 1950s. (Actually there were three pieces avail...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
'Floatation' Japanese Paper Suspension Lamp for Ingo Maurer
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Glendale, CA
'Floatation' Japanese paper suspension lamp for Ingo Maurer. Designed and produced by Ingo Maurer, one of the most celebrated German lighting icons since 1966. With imagination, cre...
Metal, Iron
$115,796
H 240 in W 552 in D 120 in
Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure
Located in London, GB
A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Our research confirms it is French, da...
Wrought Iron
$175,055
H 45.28 in W 56.3 in D 17.33 in
Italian Art Deco Bar Cabinet in Parchment with Inlays Signed by Anzani, 1930s
By Giuseppe Anzani
Located in Meda, MB
This bar cabinet was produced in Italy, in the late 1930s and is a really unique and special piece. Its tremendous historical and artistic value is what makes this item a real piece...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Maple, Walnut, Parchment Paper
$4,998 / set
H 8.6 in W 9.4 in D 12.6 in
Pair of Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconces
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Tratten' verdigris patinated outdoor sconces. An exclusive made for U.S. and UL listed authorized re-edition of the classic Swedish design executed in ri...
Metal
Lisa Johansson-Pape 'Lisa' Floor Lamp for Innolux Oy
By Lisa Johansson-Pape, Innolux Oy
Located in Glendale, CA
Lisa Johansson-Pape 'Lisa' floor lamp for Innolux Oy. Originally produced in the 1950s by Orno, this newly authorized re-edition of the iconic lamp is made by Innolux in Finland usi...
Brass
$4,086
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
$2,656
H 37.8 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Vintage desk chair with arms Italian Design by Guglielmo Ulrich
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in London, GB
Vintage desk chair with arms, off white patterned cotton fabric upholstery, polished ebony walnut wood structure. Italian Design by Guglielmo Ulrich ca.1940. The lines of this chair ...
Fabric, Walnut
Danish Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat Early 1950s
By Mogens Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant 1940s curved two-seat sofa from the 1940s. Often called banana sofas by the Danes due to the curved shape. This sofa has slightly more straight backrest an...
Brass
Japanese Meiji Era Wireless Cloisonne Pink Crane Enamel Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with wireless cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji era, before 1912. Round shape with pronounced base. The piece is decorated with a stork or crane bir...
Copper, Enamel
$5,100 / set
H 8 in W 5.5 in D 6.75 in
Murano Glass Wall Sconces in Brass, Barovier&Toso Style, Italy, New
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Austin, TX
Original vintage Murano glass pair of wall sconces with "rostrate" ("beaked") glass cups and brass structures, in the manner of Barovier e Toso. Each sconce holds one candelabra base...
Brass
$4,770Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 23.63 in Dm 27.56 in
Rezzonico chandelier 5 arms clear Murano glass, multicolor details by Multiforme
By Multiforme
Located in Trebaseleghe, IT
Kia Ora chandelier 5 lights clear Murano glass with blue and ruby trims, multicolour vitreous paste details. Kia Ora is the combination of the traditional Venetian structure with g...
Blown Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
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.
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.