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.
$1,507Sale Price|20% Off
Alf Svensson Congo chair for Bra Bohag, Sweden, 1952
By Alf Svensson
Located in Zevenaar, NL
100 cm 52 cm 10 cm, when folded; and can hold more then 100 kg Swedish furniture designer Alf Svensson (1929-1992) was particularly active in the 1950s through the ‘70s, designing...
Beech
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
$4,122
H 27.56 in W 17.72 in D 23.23 in
Midcentury Modern "Teve" Chair in Sheepskin/Shearling Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1955
By Alf Svensson, Ljungs Industrier Sweden
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
Scandinavian teak armchair by Alf Svensson for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Alf Svensson
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage teak armchair designed by Alf Svensson for DUX, with reupholstered cushions and new light fabric covers. Designed by Alf Svensson for DUX, this Scandinavian armchair combine...
Fabric, Teak
$3,769Sale 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
$3,610
H 28.35 in W 25.6 in D 22.84 in
Alf Svensson, a Pair of Classic Swedish Modern Chairs "Teve", Pierre Frey-Fabric
By Alf Svensson, Ljungs Industrier Sweden
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
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
Scandinavian Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair by Alf Svensson
By Alf Svensson, Ljungs Industrier Sweden
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
$1,130
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
$1,772
H 38.19 in W 25.6 in D 27.56 in
Alf Svensson Swivel Lounge Armchair, “Contourette Roto” for Dux, 1960s.
By Dux of Sweden, Alf Svensson
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Get comfortable in this lounge chair designed by the renowned Swedish designer Alf Svensson for “Dux of Sweden”. The chair features a sleek, organic form with smooth flowing lines th...
Steel
$1,171
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
$7,655 / 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
$1,001 / set
H 32.29 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Midcentury Kontur Set of 2 Chairs by Alf Svensson for Dux Sweden 1950s
By Dux of Sweden, Alf Svensson
Located in Halle, DE
For maybe Reupholstery: A Set of two Kontur Chairs by Alf Svensson for Dux of Sweden ,1950s. Very stabile , comfortable and ergonomic . These Chairs are in Design and Quality perf...
Upholstery, Beech
Sold
H 28.35 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Alf Svensson TeVe Wooden Chair with White Bouclé Fabric Upholstery
By Alf Svensson
Located in Madrid, ES
Chair "TeVe" designed in 1953 by Alf Svensson. Manufactured in Malmö, Sweden. Dark stained beech frame with brass details. Reupholstered in white bouclé fabric.
Brass
Alf Svensson 'TeVe' Sheepskin Shearling Lounge Chair
By Alf Svensson
Located in London, GB
A lounge chair by Alf Svensson. 'TeVE' model. Sweden, circa 1950s. Beech wood, brass parts, re-upholstered in quality sheepskin shearling by Skandilock. Perfect for a liv...
Wool
Sold
H 26.38 in W 24.41 in D 18.12 in
Pair of 1960s Swedish Alf Svensson Occasional Lounge Chairs Newly Reupholstered
By Alf Svensson
Located in London, England
A pair of occasional lounge chairs by Alf Svensson, made and designed in Sweden in the 1960s. These chairs are low, yet very comfortable. Recently reupholstered with impala suede lik...
Fabric, Birch
Sold
H 28.75 in W 26.38 in D 21.66 in
Pair of Swedish Sheep Skin and Beech Teve Easy Chairs by Alf Svensson for DUX
By Ljungs Industrier Sweden, Alf Svensson
Located in Skanninge, SE
A wonderful pair of Teve easy chairs upholstered in Sheepskin. Designed by Alf Svensson in 1953. Manufactured by Ljungs Industrier for DUX. The frame is in oiled beech and they are recently upholstered in off-white long hair sheepskin...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century TV Chairs by Alf Svensson for Ljungs Industrier AB
By Alf Svensson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Mid Century TV chairs by Alf Svensson for Ljungs Industrier AB. Padded seat and backrest recently upholstered in durable Sunbrella fabri...
Vintage Arm Chair By Alf Svensson
By Alf Svensson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern arm chair by Danish designer Alf Svensson. Fabric is in rough shape, but the frame is in good condition. Unusual shape with longer arms for a more reclined positio...