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.
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...
Oak
Price Upon Request
Set of Eight Dining Chairs by Danish Cabinet Maker in Mahogany
Located in New York, NY
Eight beautiful dining chairs with inset leg detail. Handcrafted in mahogany with original wool seats.
Upholstery, Mahogany
$10,000 / set
Armchair by Arne Jacobsen Model 3208
Located in San Francisco, CA
Armchair with teak shell and armrests, chromed tubular steel base. Designed in 1970. Produced by Fritz Hansen, year 1970. (Capsule underneath seat stamped 1970). Both first editions ...
Chrome, Steel
$2,417Sale Price|46% Off
Harp Chair Attributed to Jorgen Hovelskov
By Jørgen Høvelskov
Located in Atlanta, GA
A nice vintage Harp chair was likely designed by Jorgen Hovelskov and manufactured by Christensen & Larsen, Mobelhadvaerk, Copenhagen in 1960s. Its un...
Walnut
Kaare Klint Sofa by Rud Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Kaare Klint three-seat sofa in original leather on a Cuban mahogany frame and produced by cabinetmaker Rud Rasmussen.
Leather, Mahogany
$13,500 / set
Pair of Borge Mogensen Lounge Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Borge Mogensen lounge chairs in leather with lacquered wood legs.
Leather, Wood
A Set of Six Stacking Arm Chairs by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of six stackable beech armchairs with black woven chairs.
Oak
Caned Armchair by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, 1950's
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak armchair retaining the original cane seat and back.
Cane, Teak
$37,500 / set
Seagull Armchair by Gosta Berg
By Gosta Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Armchair and ottoman upholstered in beige suede with steel base.
Metal
Swedish Mid-Century High Back Lounge Chair by Bengt Ruda - COM Ready
By Bengt Ruda
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very special lounge arm chair by Swedish furniture designer Bengt Ruda, who designed furniture for Nordiska Kompaniet in the early 1950s. This chair has been fully restored, reuph...
Upholstery, Wood
Danish Mid-Century Organic Modern Leather Strap Chair Attr. to Borge Mogensen
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant, Scandinavian Mid-century Organic Modern Design Bentwood and Leather lounge / club / slipper chair attributed to Borge Mogensen. The piece has a sensuous line and form and...
Leather, Bentwood
Oak and Cane Lounge Chair by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck
By Aksel Bender Madsen, Ejner Larsen, Willy Beck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare Scandinavian Modern armchair designed by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen. The design features oak and caned in a modern linear form. Produced by Willy Beck in Denmark, circ...
Cane, Oak
Pair of Mid Century Swedish Bent Beech Wood Hoop Chairs
By Gemla
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Produced by Gemla of Sweden with a glossy lacquered finish over beech wood with chenille seat and back cushions Priced as a pair but also available ...
Beech
Hans Wegner Ox Chair and Ottoman
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans Wegner Ox Chair and Ottoman manufactured by A.P. Stolen, 1960's
Fabric
Wingback Armchair by Hans J. Wegner for Getama
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A wingback lounge armchair with a teak frame, retaining the original grey wool upholstery.
Oak, Upholstery
Oak and Papercord Chairs by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son, 1962
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An oak side chair with papercord woven seat.
Oak, Papercord
Oak and Leather Armchair from Denmark
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An oak armchair with the original black leather upholstery.
Leather, Oak
A Set of Four Stacking Arm Chairs by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of four stacking armchairs with cream webbed seats in beechwood.
Oak
Modus Living Room Suite by Kristian Vedel for Soren Willadsen
By Kristian Solmer Vedel, Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A "Modus" living room suite consisting of, three lounge chairs with rosewood frame and original black leather upholstery (removable seat cushion has single button tuft and sling back...
Aluminum
$52,350 / set
Fabricius & Kastholm 'Scimitar' Chairs
By Preben Fabricius, Jørgen Kastholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of brown leather easy chairs with stainless steel frames.
Stainless Steel
1950's Danish Sofa with Oak Legs
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Sleek and perfectly proportioned midcentury Danish Setee newly re-upholstered in a Purple Knoll Proenza Schouler fabric.
Oak
Pair of Safari Chairs by Ole Wanscher for PJ Furniture
By Ole Wanscher, PJ Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of oak framed Scandinavian Modern safari chairs with canvas seats and backs. Made in Denmark by PJ Furniture, circa 1960s. Measure: 23.5" arm height. Danish architect and ...
Oak, Canvas
Ole Wanscher Two-Seat Settee
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ole Wanscher two-seat settee in mahogany with leather.
Leather, Mahogany
$3,120Sale Price|35% Off
"Capri" Swivel Lounge by Johannes Andersen
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE An original "Capri" swivel lounge chair designed in 1958 by Johannes Andersen for Trensum of Sweden. This chair produced in 1960. Amazingly comfortable. Original re...
Wool
Sofa (EJ315) by Erik Ole Jorgensen (1925-2002)
By Erik Ole Jørgensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Red leather sofa with tufted seat and back, and a wood base.
Wood, Leather
Sectional Fiberglass and Leather Three Seat Sofa In the Style of Dieter Rams
By Dieter Rams
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A model 620 three-piece section sofa by Dieter Rams with natural leather cushions in an off white fiberglass frame. Made by FG Design in Germany, circa 1960s...
Fiberglass, Leather
The Perfect Side Chair by Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen for Thorald Madsens, 1959
By Thorald Madsens Snedkeri, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rosewood dining chair and leather chair by famed Danish designers Edward and Tove Kindt-Larsen. Each chair features solid rosewood frame with the ori...
Rosewood, Leather
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Velvet Lounge Armchair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Dark mahogany outer frame. Hardwood inner frame. New recycled foam back and seat cushion. New luxurious high-end taupe and ivory windowpane-checked velvet upholstery fabric....
Mahogany, Upholstery
On Hold|$1,100 / item
Set of Vintage Teak Dining Chairs by Moller
Located in New York, NY
Dining chairs designed by Niels Otto Møller for J.L. Møller Møbelfabrik. Teak frame with original black leather seat, Denmark, circa 1950. Each chair priced individually. May be purc...
Leather, Teak
Dining Chairs by Hans J. Wegner for C.M. Madsens Fabriker
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A side chair in oak with sculpted backrests and woven papercord seats.
Oak, Papercord
Frits Henningsen Lounge Chair
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Frits Henningsen leather, mahogany and brass lounge chair with nailheads from Denmark, circa 1940.
Leather, Wood
Price Upon Request
Frits Henningsen Settee
By Frits Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Frits Henningsen settee of oak and its original ivory leather upholstery with nailhead trim. Features a high wingback and half moon armrests. Designed in Denmark, circa 1940.
Leather, Oak
Oak Windsor Chair by Frits Henningsen for Carl Hansen & Son
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Windsor chair in oak with the original Nigerian goat red leather seat pad.
Leather, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Danish Bar Stool Model Mikado
By Peter Hiort-Lorenzen, FDB Møbler, Johannes Foersom
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Danish bar stool in beech model Mikado by Foersom et Hiort-Lorenzen for FDB. New realese. Base in black laquered beech. Seat in na...
Beech
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...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Lounge Chair by Arne Vodder AV 53 New Release
By Arne Vodder
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian lounge chair by Arne Vodder AV 53 new release. On demand only. Delivery time: 6 weeks. Available in three different fa...
Beech
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