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.
Pair of Mid Century Scandinavian Sideboards in Teak and Rattan by Alf Svensson
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Karlstad, SE
Two sleek and sophisticated sideboards, crafted by the renowned designer Alf Svensson and produced by the esteemed Bjästa Möbelfabrik of Sweden, gracefully adorn this piece from the ...
Teak, Rattan
Pair of Alf Svensson "Norrland" Sideboards, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Oak and rattan. Model "Norrland" produced by Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1960s. Good vintage condition with minor signs of usage.
Rattan, Oak
Oak and rattan bookshelf by Alf Svensson, Bjästa, Sweden 1950s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Hägersten, SE
Bookshelf designed by Alf Svensson. Produced during the 1950s in Sweden by Bjästa Snickeri. Made from teak in the sideboard part with sliding doors in rattan. The inside of the sideb...
Rattan, Beech, Oak, Teak
Set of 2 Alf Svensson Shelves Model 'Norrland', Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson
Located in Stockholm, SE
4 Pieces available. Please note: listed price is for one (1) shelf. Produced in Sweden by Bjästa Snickerifabrik. Design Alf Svensson, 1960s.
Teak
Alf Svensson "Norrland" Sideboard, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Teak and rattan. Model Norrland produced by Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1960s. Excellent vintage condition with minor signs of usage.
Rattan, Teak
Alf Svensson "Norrland" Sideboard, 1960s
By Alf Svensson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Oak and rattan. Model "Norrland" produced by Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1960s. Good vintage condition with minor signs of usage.
Rattan, Oak
Pair of Midcentury Sideboards by Alf Svensson, Bjästa, Sweden, 1960s
By Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Alf Svensson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of teak sideboards with beautiful rattan fronts, designed by Alf Svensson. Shelves, and in one drawers, inside each sideboard separated by a wall in the center. Cool, large bras...
Rattan, Teak
Wall-mounted sideboards by Alf Svensson "Norrland", Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of Alf Svensson wall-mounted "Norrland" sideboards. Oak veneer and rattan. Produced by Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1960s. Good vintage condition with minor signs of usage a...
Rattan, Oak
Alf Svensson Oak Double Chest of Drawers, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Alf Svensson
Located in PARIS, FR
Sleek and authentic design of Scandinavian modernism: double oak chest of drawers by Alf Svensson. The finishes and the beautiful honey shade of the wood give it an elegant aesthetic...
Oak
A Mid-Century Bookshelf, Oak, France, c. 1950s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A unique mid-century bookshelf with compass feet in oak, designed by unknown designer in France, c. 1950s.
Oak
$6,738
H 77.96 in W 32.68 in D 12.21 in
Osvaldo Borsani anodized aluminum, wood, and Resinflex E60 bookshelf Italy 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
The E60 bookshelf, crafted from anodized aluminum, wood, and Resinflex, is a distinguished model designed by the renowned Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Tecno in the 1950s. Minimal...
Aluminum
Swedish Designer, Wall Shelf, Pine, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall shelf or cabinet designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s. Currently missing wall mounting brackets. Will require professional installation.
Pine
Mid-Century Modern Danish Long Teak Credenza with Tambour Doors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautifully designed teak credenza with top notch construction. It features two sliding tambour doors, two drawers and two shelf spaces. Marked made in Denmark. Original clean cond...
Teak
$2,500
H 31.5 in W 79.75 in D 19 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Long Teak Credenza or Dresser by Westnofa
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
You can use this in any room of the house! A beautifully designed teak credenza with top notch construction made by Westnofa Furniture in Europe. It features a sleek front with 6 dee...
Teak
$471Sale Price|29% Off
H 33.47 in W 25.6 in D 11.42 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Sought after Freestanding Tomado Rack, 3 teak shelves
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
Sought after freestanding Tomado rack in very good vintage condition, this rack comes with two black metal laddders and three wooden (teak) shelves . A real rarity and very collectab...
Metal
Asymmetrical Oak Bookshelf, The Netherlands 1970s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Modernism is at the core of the design of this shelving system. Modernism brought waves of innovative solutions, materials, and creativity to The Netherlands. At first, most Dutch de...
Oak
Mid century belgian sideboard, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Great looking mid century highboard or sideboard with beautiful veneer wood and a chrome and wooden base. The sideboard consists of 4 doors and 4 drawers providing loads of storage ...
Chrome
Mid-century Italian Modernist Teak Sideboard, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A beautiful Italian midcentury teak sideboard with four drawers and three sliding doors. The colored teak wood brings a warm feel to the design. The cabinet stands on a wooden struct...
Teak
Carl Malmsten pine cabinet, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s. Produced in Sweden. Good condition.
Pine
Sold|$1,736
H 27.96 in W 45.28 in D 18.12 in
Vintage Teak Sideboard, Swedish Design, Brass Accents, 1960s, Denmark
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage sideboard dresser 1960s Swedish period 1960s design unknown Sweden condition good light signs of use size 71 x 115 x 46 (hxwxd) details teak; brass; item number ...
Teak
Wicker Rattan Cane Étagère Bookshelf
Located in New York, NY
A wicker rattan cane display bookshelf Étagère, Bohemian design, circa mid to late-20th century, 1960s, 1970s. A four-tier rattan Étagère bookshelf/bookcase with cane covered shelves...
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Sold
H 28.35 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Alf Svensson Norrland Sideboard in Teak and Rattan for Bjästa Möbelfabrik Sweden
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Elegant, minimalist sideboard 'Norrland', designed by Alf Svensson for Bjästa Möbelfabrik Sweden, 1960s. Teak veneer with two doors covered in rattan. Interior from birch with 4 adju...
Rattan, Teak
Sold
H 43.71 in W 47.25 in D 11.03 in
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...
Oak
Oak & Rattan Sideboard by Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1960s
By Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Alf Svensson
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...
Brass
Oak bookcase by Alf Svensson, design 1960's
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
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...
Oak
Oak and rattan bookshelf by Alf Svensson, Bjästa, Sweden 1950s
By Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Alf Svensson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Bookshelf designed by Alf Svensson. produced during the 1950s in Sweden by Bjästa Snickeri. Made from teak in the sideboard part with sliding door in rattan. The inside of the sidebo...
Rattan, Beech, Oak, Teak
Midcentury Pair of Oak Sideboards, Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of oak sideboards with beautiful rattan fronts, designed by Alf Svensson. Two shelves inside each sideboard separated by a wall in the center. Cool, large brass keys and nicely ...
Rattan, Oak
Oak and rattan sideboard by Alf Svensson, Bjästa, Sweden 1950s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Hägersten, SE
Sideboard designed by Alf Svensson. Produced during the 1950s by Bjästa möbelfabrik in Sweden. Made from patinated oak and contrasting rattan on the doors. Light beech wood on the in...
Rattan, Beech, Oak
Sold
H 28.35 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Midcentury Cabinet, Cane Panels in Teak, Designed by Alf Svensson, 1960s
By Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Alf Svensson
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of cabinets with cane door in teak. Designed by MAA. Alf Svensson and made by Bjästa cabinetmakers Sweden. Great original condition.
Brass
Raffia buffet by Alf Svensson, 1960's Sweden
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Brussels, BE
This compact sideboard by Alf Svensson dates from 1960s Sweden. The main feature of this piece is its raffia-embellished doors, which add textural contrast to its clean lines. Modest...
Raffia, Wood
Sold
H 28.55 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Alf Svensson Sideboard in Oak and Cane, Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1960s
By Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Alf Svensson
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking sideboard was designed by Alf Svensson in the 1960s. The elegant model 'Norrland' was produced by Bjästa Möbelfabrik in Sweden and is stamped with the manufacturers sta...
Cane, Oak
Sold
H 28.35 in W 94.49 in D 17.72 in
Sideboard, model Norrland, by Alf Svensson for Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Sweden 1960s.
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sideboard, model Norrland, by Alf Svensson for Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Sweden 1960s. This sideboard consists of 2 smaller cabinets made out of oak and rattan. One sideboard contains seve...
Brass
Sold
H 43.71 in W 47.25 in D 11.03 in
Set of two bookcases by Alf Svensson for Bjästa Snickerifabrik, Sweden 1960s.
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
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...
Oak