Scandinavian Cube
Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Rosewood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Barware
Brass, Copper
2010s Czech Scandinavian Modern Wall Clocks
Ash
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Porcelain
Porcelain
20th Century Austrian Scandinavian Modern Flush Mount
Brass
Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Porcelain
Porcelain
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Brass
Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tea Sets
Ceramic
Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tea Sets
Ceramic
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s American Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary English Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary English Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Chrome, Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps
Rubber, Paper
Late 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Busts
Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
Rubber, Paper
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Walnut
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tables
Bone, Epoxy Resin, Wood
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tables
Bone, Epoxy Resin, Wood
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Brass
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Teak
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
Stainless Steel
20th Century Candlesticks
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
Teak
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Models and Miniatures
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
Teak, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Chrome, Steel
Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Birch
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Oak
Vintage 1980s Czech Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Smoked Glass, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
Rosewood
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardini...
Teak
Late 20th Century Swiss Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Smoked Glass, Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Leather, Maple, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Teak
Vintage 1950s European Table Lamps
Hardwood
Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Porcelain
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Teak
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Art Glass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Plastic
Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Porcelain
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Steel
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Teak, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Night Stands
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Metal
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Leather, Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Teak, Glass
People Also Browsed
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights a...
Brass, Nickel
2010s English Ladders
Ash
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Games
Leather, Fabric
2010s American Organic Modern Decorative Boxes
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Glass, Wood, Oak
Late 20th Century Chinese Screens and Room Dividers
Brass
2010s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Shell
Antique Late 19th Century European Moorish Architectural Elements
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Cupboards
Aluminum
Antique 1870s Austrian Islamic Glass
Glass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
2010s Portuguese Minimalist Benches
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Brass
Scandinavian Cube For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Scandinavian Cube?
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.
Read More
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Designed by a giant of Swedish lighting, the large-scale fixtures bring major drama.
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Dagmar Has Become a Go-To London Address for Mid-Century Scandi Design
With an in-house workshop, the gallery not only proposes beautifully restored vintage classics but also recently launched a line of pieces under license, spearheaded by Arnold Madsen’s iconic Clam chair.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
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.
113 Chairs That Prove Danish Design Isn’t Limited to Denmark
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.
April’s Most-Liked Interiors on Instagram
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.
Tapio Wirkkala Bucked the Trends of Mid-Century Nordic Design
The Finnish talent created nature-inspired pieces, from furniture to jewelry, with phenomenal staying power.
The Married Collectors behind Stockholm’s Newest Design Museum
Kersti Sandin and Lars Bülow want their new endeavor to educate both students and professionals about furniture design.