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Scandinavian Modern Collection

Scandinavian Modern Furniture Collection (Denmark, Finland, Sweden; 1930–present)
Scandinavian Modern Furniture Collection (Denmark, Finland, Sweden; 1930–present)

The designers of Scandinavian modernism created the warmest and most human iteration of modernist ideals. Their work was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life. The gentle, organic contours that are typical of vintage Scandinavian modern furniture appear in the work of 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 Bruno Mathsson, creator of the classic Grasshopper chair, but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the ’20s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced Scandinavian modern pieces 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. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarapaneva.

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 he 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, maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Vernor Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.

On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable Scandinavian modern designs and many new discoveries. Even more than 50 years on from their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight.

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Creator: Hans J. Wegner
Hans Wegner Settee Model JH 555
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful and rare example by Hans Wegner, Model JH 555 for Johannes Hansen, Denmark, circa 1950. Very good original condition oak frame and original fabric, b...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Oak

Set of Six Stacking Armchairs by Hans Wegner & Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of six stackable beech armchairs with black woven chairs.
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Oak

Teak and Cane Armchair by Hans Wegner
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak armchair retaining the original cane seat and back.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Cane, Teak

Hans Wegner GE-240 Sofa
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans Wegner GE-240 sofa designed in 1955 and produced by GETAMA.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Wingback Armchair by Hans Wegner
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A wingback lounge armchair with a teak frame, retaining the original grey wool upholstery.
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Oak, Upholstery

Oak and Papercord Chairs by Hans Wegner
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An oak side chair with papercord woven seat.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Oak, Papercord

Set of Four Stacking Armchairs by Hans Wegner & Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of four stacking armchairs with cream webbed seats in beechwood.
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Oak

Arne Jacobsen for Hans Wegner Armchair
By Arne Jacobsen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Category

1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Leather, Wood

Dining Chairs by Hans Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A side chair in oak with sculpted backrests and woven papercord seats.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Oak, Papercord

Lounge Chair Flag Halyard PP 225 by Hans Wegner New Edition
By Hans J. Wegner, PP Møbler
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Flag Halyard chair lounge chair PP 225 new edition. The Flag Halyard Hans Wegner is a tribute to the modernist Le Corbusier, Mies Van Der Rohe and Marcel Bre...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Steel

Related Items
Børge Mogensen Wingback Chair
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen wingback chair new upholstered with canvas and cognac aniline tubings. Legs in teak. Model 2204, made by Fredericia ...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Leather, Teak, Canvas

Børge Mogensen Wingback Chair
Børge Mogensen Wingback Chair
H 42.13 in W 27.56 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Early Oak and Cane Round Chairs by Hans Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a pair of early oak and caned armchair by Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Denmark. Excellent condition including new professionally crafted cane seats and backs.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Cane, Oak

Set of Six Hans Wegner GE-525 Dining Chairs, 1960
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful set of six dining room chairs, model GE525, designed by Hans J. Wegner and manufactured by GETAMA in the 1960s, in smoked oak and light colored, speck...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Wool, Oak

Hans J. Wegner Set of Six “Wishbone” Chairs in Oak
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans J. Wegner “The Wishbone Chair”. Set of six armchairs of oak. Seat with woven papercord. CH 24. Designed 1949. Manufactured by Carl Hansen & Søn.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Papercord, Oak

Hans Wegner Armchair
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hans Wegner armchair, located in NY.
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Leather, Oak

Hans Wegner Armchair
Hans Wegner Armchair
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Hans J. Wegner For Getama GE-259 Adjustable Oak Daybed
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Norwalk, CT
Designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1954, the GE-259 daybed is a versatile piece of furniture lending itself to both style and function. Not only easily used as a sofa in a living space to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Oak

GE280 Modular Sofa by Hans Wegner for Getama, 1980s
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Rare modular sofa designed by of of the best mid century designers Hans J Wegner for Getama. Model GE 280. The modular sofa consists of a beautifully bentwood oak frame with beau...
Category

1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Hans J. Wegner Set of Six Chairs in Teak for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans J. Wegner set of six chairs for Johannes Hansen. Model JH-504. Frame in Teak, seat and back in cane.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Cane, Teak

Hans Wegner GE-240 Lounge Chair
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1955, the 240 lounge chair features unparalleled craftsmanship and ergonomics. Sculpted “cigar” shaped arms show off the natural beauty of wood ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Oak

Hans Wegner GE-240 Lounge Chair
Hans Wegner GE-240 Lounge Chair
H 26.75 in W 25.25 in D 28 in
Hans Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear Chair in Boucle Fabric
By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. Stolen
Located in London, GB
Hans J. Wegner AP-19 Papa Bear chair, 1953 Vintage, original 1950s production of one of Danish master Hans Wegner's most iconic designs. The Papa Bear is rightly considered one...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Teak

Hans J. Wegner 'GE-236/3' Three Seat Sofa
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans J. Wegner, three-seat sofa model GE-236/3, fabric and oak, Denmark, 1950s Beautiful sofa by Danish designer Hans J. Wegner. This sofa has a solid oak frame with the constructio...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Hans J. Wegner 'GE-236/3' Three Seat Sofa
Hans J. Wegner 'GE-236/3' Three Seat Sofa
H 28.75 in W 91.54 in D 30.71 in
Dining Chairs Designed by Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dining chairs designed by Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Denmark, 1960s. Wenge, steel, and leather. Set of six. Measurements: H: 81 cm/ 31 3/4'' W: 52 cm/ 20 1/2'' D: 42 cm/ 16 1...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Wenge

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