Scandinavian Sewing Box
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Birch
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Wicker, Teak
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Leather, Beech
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Wicker, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Fabric, Teak
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Vintage 1930s Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Oak
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Night Stands
Mirror, Bakelite, Beech, Birdseye Maple
Antique Late 19th Century Industrial and Work Tables
Carrara Marble, Iron
Vintage 1920s Danish Baroque Revival Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Art Nouveau Night Stands
Marble
20th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes
Raffia, Wood, Rattan
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tables
Wicker, Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Rattan, Teak
2010s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Stone, Brass
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Rosewood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Cane, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Boxes
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Birch
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Birch
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Beech
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Footstools
Faux Leather
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Console Tables
Mahogany, Pearwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Wicker, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern End Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plywood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plywood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Cane, Walnut, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vanities
Plywood, Teak
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.
- What is a sewing box called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023A sewing box can be called a sewing basket, a needle box or a needlepoint box. However, many people simply refer to the storage boxes for thread, needles and other sewing supplies as a sewing box. Shop a selection of sewing boxes on 1stDibs.
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