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.
Midcentury Modern "Teve" Chair in Sheepskin/Shearling Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1955
By Ljungs Industrier Sweden, Alf Svensson
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
The "TeVe-chair" by Alf Svensson for Ljungs Industrier made in Sweden 1955. The chair given that typical Scandinavian minimalistic design and are very comfortable. This one with all ...
Sheepskin, Beech
Alf Svensson, a Pair of Classic Swedish Modern Chairs "Teve", Pierre Frey-Fabric
By Ljungs Industrier Sweden, Alf Svensson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of iconic TeVe-chairs by Alf Svensson for Ljungs industrier, Sweden mid-1900s. Reupholstered in Maison Pierre Frey-fabric. Stained wood, dark brown. Marked with metal plate. ...
Faux Fur, Wood
$8,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 43 in W 34 in D 24 in
Pair of Vintage Modern Tulip Back Parlor Arm Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Pair of vintage Modern Tulip Back Parlor arm chairs. This rare mid-century modern design has been restored and reupholstered in unique textured velvet material. Featuring 3 tulip ped...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Swedish Walnut Recliner Chair by Alf Svensson for Dux
By Alf Svensson, Dux of Sweden
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This stunning mid-century walnut recliner chair, designed by Alf Svensson for Dux in the 1960s, is a true masterpiece of Scandinavian design. The solid wood frame stained in a warm w...
Fabric, Walnut
$3,492 / set
H 37.01 in W 28.35 in D 35.04 in
A Pair of Lounge Chairs With Stool In Teak & Green Fabric By Alf Svensson
By Fritz Hansen, Alf Svensson
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of easy chairs with ottoman designed by Alf Svensson for Fritz Hansen. Teak and green fabric. Scandinavian design from the 1960s with a focus on comfort. — Origin: Denmark — ...
Fabric, Teak
$1,142
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 30.71 in
Domus Easy Chair by Alf Svensson for Dux / Artifort, Sweden 1950's
By Alf Svensson
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Design Domus Easy Chair by Alf Svensson for Artifort, Dux. Made in Sweden in the 1950's, distributed by Artifort. Marked on the bottom with Artifort label. ...
Fabric, Beech
Alf Svensson 'TeVe' Sheepskin Shearling Lounge Chair
By Alf Svensson
Located in London, GB
A lounge chair by Alf Svensson. 'TeVe' model for Studio Ljungs Industrier AB Malmö. Sweden, c1950s. Beech wood, brass parts, re-upholstered in white sheepskin. Perfect for a l...
Sheepskin, Beech
$7,734 / set
H 25.6 in W 23.23 in D 29.93 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.
Beech
Scandinavian Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair by Alf Svensson
By Ljungs Industrier Sweden, Alf Svensson
Located in Dronten, NL
Lounge chair model Contour-Set 327 by Alf Svensson for Ljungs Industrier AB, Sweden. Adjustable in three different positions, very comfortable! Marked with the original label at the...
Wool, Oak
$3,807Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 22.45 in D 27.96 in
Alf Svensson, Pair of Domus Lounge Chairs, DUX, 1950s
By Alf Svensson
Located in Uppsala, SE
Pair of lounge chairs designed by Alf Svensson for DUX / Ljungs Industrier and their furniture line Bra Bohag in the 1950s. The model was shown at the very well known H55 exhibition ...
Steel
$1,183
H 37.01 in W 35.04 in D 28.35 in
Easy Chair Made In Teak By Alf Svensson For Fritz Hansen From 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Fritz Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
This Easy Chair, designed by Alf Svensson and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in the 1960s, is an example of timeless elegance and comfort. The chair is constructed in teak wood and uph...
Teak, Fabric
$5,500
H 41 in W 29 in D 29 in
Stylish Danish Modern Alf Svensson for Fritz Hansen Two-Position Reclining Chair
By Alf Svensson
Located in San Francisco, CA
A stylish Danish modern Alf Svensson for Fritz Hansen 1960s stained teak two-position reclining lounge chair; this hip and very comfortable high back leather-upholstered chair with p...
$28,400
H 20.87 in W 22.05 in D 24.81 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-10-A Fireside chair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
The object exudes an aura. It’s not about the shape or about the material; it holds a strong presence with an almost ritualist intensity. Not many design pieces offer that unusual qu...
Cane, Teak
$77,000 / set
H 23.63 in W 26.78 in D 28.35 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-60-A Pair of Lounge Chairs / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
The visible nonchalance here celebrates the lightness and the joy of life. It’s not about representation or impressing others. It demonstrates the Indian lifestyle, much more casual ...
Cane, Teak