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Alf Svensson

Swedish, 1923-1992

Swedish architect and furniture designer Alf Svensson worked with a range of organic materials that are today commonly associated with Scandinavian modernism, utilizing rosewood, oak and teak in his cabinets, chairs, tables and other furniture, and opting for leather when it came to creating upholstery for his sleek seating. He worked for several manufacturers including String Seffle AB, Bergbom & Co., Nybrofabriken and Nesto but is best known to collectors for the designs he created for DUX

As creative director at Bergboms, Svensson worked with brass and opaline glass to create a range of lighting. He designed sculptural tripod-style floor lamps with bodies of steam-bent solid teak — a popular material with furniture makers of the mid-20th century — while his hanging ceiling lights featured lacquered metal shades that bring pops of color into living rooms and entryways.

Svensson’s role at the lighting manufacturer, which was founded in 1940 by Efraim Ljung — also the founder of Ljungs Industrier — saw him collaborating with the likes of legendary designers such as Greta Magnusson Grossman and Edward Wormley, a favorite of mid-century modern furniture collectors and the longtime director of design for the Dunbar furniture company. 

Svensson also served as the creative director at Ljungs Industrier. In Sweden, Studio Ljungs Industrier AB is the large family-owned parent company of Duxiana (in America, DUX). In 1950, Folke Ohlsson, then leading Ljungs Industrier’s design team, decamped to the States to explore how he could expand DUX’s business, which at that point included a wide range of furniture. It was during this time, in the postwar era, that American tastemakers really sold the citizenry on the warmth and good craftsmanship that characterizes Scandinavian modern design.

Ohlsson established a DUX office not long after he arrived in California, first in San Francisco and later in Burlingame. Svensson, a chief designer in the Malmö, Sweden, office of Ljungs Industrier, was among the top-tier furniture design talent with which DUX collaborated (a list that included Wormley and Bruno Mathsson). Svensson’s Galaxy chair, a comfortable upholstered swivel seat attributed to a partnership between the designer and Yngvar Sandström that exudes Space Age charm, is highly sought after, and Svensson's relationship with DUX yielded similarly attractive sideboards, lounge chairs and other furnishings that are some of his most celebrated works.

Find vintage Alf Svensson furniture on 1stDibs.

Set of two bookcases by Alf Svensson for Bjästa Snickerifabrik, Sweden 1960s.
By Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Alf Svensson
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of two bookcases by Alf Svensson for Bjästa Snickerifabrik, Sweden 1960s. This is model ‘Norrland’, made out of oak and features adjustable shelves. Both units are in its origina...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alf Svensson

Materials

Oak

Mod. TeVe chair by Alf Svensson, 1950
By Alf Svensson
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Condition: Very Good - Repainted Materials: Velvet, Wood Époque : 1950 Nordic Style
Category

1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alf Svensson

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Mod. TeVe chair by Alf Svensson, 1950
Mod. TeVe chair by Alf Svensson, 1950
H 28.35 in W 24.81 in D 24.81 in
Oak & Rattan Sideboard by Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Clean and elegant sideboard designed by Alf Svensson, manufactured by Bjästa Möbelfabrik in Sweden during the 1960s. The structure is made from oak with two doors panel covered by ra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Alf Svensson

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Alf Svensson for Fritz Hansen c. 1960's
By Alf Svensson, Fritz Hansen
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural Mid Century lounge chair and ottoman designed by Alf Svensson for Fritz Hansen, made in Denmark circa 1960's. This example is in very good, clean, ready to use co...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Alf Svensson

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Vintage Model B-024 Table Lamp from Bergbom, 1960s
By Yngvar Sandström, Bergboms, Alf Svensson
Located in Genarp, SE
Pair of Table lamps, model B-024 in brass by Bergboms, Swedish Midcentury Modern 1960s. Height to socket: 49cm Height with lamp shade: 67cm
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alf Svensson

Materials

Brass

Oak bookcase by Alf Svensson, design 1960's
By Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Alf Svensson
Located in PARIS, FR
Clean and at the same time authentic design of Scandinavian modernism. The finishes and grain of the wood give it an elegant aesthetic and easily harmonize with different types of de...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Alf Svensson

Materials

Oak

Oak bookcase by Alf Svensson, design 1960's
Oak bookcase by Alf Svensson, design 1960's
H 24.41 in W 47.25 in D 11.03 in
Alf Svensson Easy Chairs Model 'Domus' by DUX, Sweden, 1950s
By Alf Svensson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Model Domus designed by Alf Svensson. Produced by DUX, Sweden, 1950s. Newly reupholstered cushions.  
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alf Svensson

Materials

Beech

Swedish Modern Teak Frame Lounge tall Back Chair & Ottoman by Alf Svensson
By Alf Svensson, Ljungs Industrier Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
This elegant Danish modern recliner and ottoman, designed by Alf Svenson for Ljung Industries of Sweden, is a timeless masterpiece of mid-century design. Featuring a solid teak frame...
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Alf Svensson

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

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Alf Svensson furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Alf Svensson furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of sheepskin and are designed with extraordinary care. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Karl-Erik Ekselius, Norell Möbel AB, and Goran Malmvall. Prices for Alf Svensson furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $7,500 and can go as high as $7,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,500.

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