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 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
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
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
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
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
Pair of Midcentury Sideboards by Alf Svensson, Bjästa, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
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
Teak Credenza by Nils Jonsson for Troeds Bjärnum, Sweden, 1960s
By Troeds Bjarnum 1, Nils Jonsson
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Produced by Troeds Bjärnum of Sweden during the firm's most celebrated decade, this teak credenza exemplifies the restrained precision that defined Swedish modernism at its peak. The...
Teak
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
Svend A. Larsen - Teak Sideboard Faarup Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Faarup Møbelfabrik, Svend Aage Larsen
Located in Rosendahl, DE
This mid-century teak credenza from the 1960s, designed by Svend Aage Larsen for Faarup Møbelfabrik, showcases premium Danish craftsmanship. The piece features elegant sliding tambou...
Teak
Cees Braakman sideboard, 1960s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sideboard in light wood, opening with 4 drawers and a door, stamp on the reverse, Pastoe Editor, Cees Braakman. Netherlands, 1960s.
Wood
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
Mid-Century Kai Kristiansen Sideboard, Scandinavian Modern
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long teak server by Kai Kristiansen featuring four drawers and three doors with adjustable shelving makes the perfect storage piece for any modern home. Midcentury design is evidence...
Metal
$481Sale 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
$4,473 / set
H 27.56 in W 42.52 in D 16.93 in
Pair of Vintage Danish Rosewood Sideboards by Poul Hundevad - Hundevad &Co 1960s
By Poul Hundevad, Hundevad & Co.
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
We are proud to offer these two stunning Rosewood sideboards as a matched pair. These mid-century Danish low cabinets were designed by the esteemed Poul Hundevad, whose work is highl...
Rosewood, Teak
$5,499
H 35.83 in W 82.68 in D 20.48 in
Danish Mid-Century teak sideboard designed by Gunni Omann Axel Christensen Odder
By Gunni Omann, Axel Christiansen Odder
Located in Markington, GB
Exceptional early 1950's original Danish Mid-Century Modern teak sideboard designed by Gunni Omann for Axel Christensen Odder, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and elegant propor...
Teak
Chunky sideboard by Børge Mogensen, Sweden, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Sideboard designed by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Söner in Sweden during the 1960s. Made in oak with sliding doors in teak. Beautiful legs in oak and iron.
Iron
$4,120
H 29.93 in W 53.15 in D 14.18 in
Sideboard "Öresund" by Børge Mogensen, Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Sideboard from the Öresund series by Børge Mogensen, produced by Karl Andersson & Söner in the 1960s. Crafted in teak with clean, balanced proportions characteristic of Mogensen’s fu...
Brass
$2,627Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 59.06 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak Sideboard with Brass Details
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Madrid, ES
Sideboard made of teak wood with sliding doors and brass details. The brass details between the cabinet body and the feet give the sideboard a floating look. Manufactured and labeled...
Brass
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
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 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 28.55 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Alf Svensson Sideboard in Oak and Cane, Bjästa Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
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
Set of 2 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. Total width of the pair: 240 cm (120 cm each) Plea...
Rattan, Oak
Teak & Rattan Sideboard by Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Elegant and neat sideboard designed by Alf Svensson, manufactured by Bjästa Möbelfabrik in Sweden during the 1960s (design circa 1950s). Made from teak with two doors panel covered b...
Brass
Sold
H 28.35 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Teak & Rattan "Norrland" Sideboard by Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Elegant and neat sideboard designed by Alf Svensson, manufactured by Bjästa Möbelfabrik in Sweden during the 1960s (design circa 1950s). Made from teak with two doors panel covered b...
Brass
Mid Century Scandinavian Alf Svensson Oak and Rattan Sideboard
By Alf Svensson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sideboard designed by Alf Svensson and manufactured by Bjästa Möbelfabrik in Sweden during the 1960s. Made from oak with two doors panel covered by rattan webbing. Brass key. Sever...
Rattan, Oak
"Norrland" Sideboard by Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Striking “Norrland” sideboard, large version designed by Alf Svensson for Bjästa Möbelfabrik. Dated, stamped 12 February 1962. The sideboard is made from oak with two doors panel c...
Brass
Sold
H 28.35 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Teak & Rattan "Norrland" Sideboard by Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Sideboard designed by Alf Svensson, manufactured by Bjästa Möbelfabrik in Sweden during the 1960s. Made from teak with two doors panel covered by rattan webbing. Brass key. Inside ...
Brass
Sold
H 28.35 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Teak & Rattan "Norrland" Sideboard by Alf Svensson, Sweden, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Sideboard designed by Alf Svensson, manufactured by Bjästa Möbelfabrik in Sweden during the 1960s. Made from teak with two doors panel covered by rattan webbing. Brass key. Inside ...
Brass
Oak & Rattan Sideboard by Alf Svensson, 1960s
By Alf Svensson, Bjästa Möbelfabrik
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Sideboard designed by Alf Svensson manufactured by Bjästa Möbelfabrik in Sweden during the 1960s. Made from oak with two doors panel covered by rattan webbing. Brass key. Inside ...
Brass