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.
Alf Svensson, Coffee Table, Teak, Glass, Sweden, 1950s
By Alf Svensson
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and glass coffee table designed by Alf Svensson and produced by Bra Bohag, Sweden, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 19.9” H x 54.35” W x 27.25” D
Glass, Teak
Alf Svensson, Coffee Table, Teak, Oak, Sweden, 1950s
By Alf Svensson
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and oak coffee table designed by Alf Svensson and produced by Tingströms, Sweden, c. 1950s Very light scratching and a cup stain on top surface. Dimensions: 20.25” H x 51.25...
Oak, Teak
Minimalist brass and glass sofa/coffee table by Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s
By Alf Svensson, Bergboms
Located in Hägersten, SE
Minimalist Sofa/Coffee table designed by Alf Svensson and made by Swedish company Bergboms. Produced during the 1950s. Made from brass and glass in a stylish minimalist aesthetic. Go...
Brass
Italian Brass Swan Coffee Table, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A chic and elegant 1950s Italian brass swan coffee table with swan head legs and original glass. Well-made and heavy. Dimensions base: Wid...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Bakelite, Brass and Iron 1950s Side Tables
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Chic set of three low tables with tubular iron bases, laquered in black paint and ending in brass sabots. The tabletops are black bakelite, with brass surrounds. Heavy, very nice ...
Brass, Iron
1950s French Round Tripod Oak Coffee Table
Located in CHAPONOST, FR
A vintage circular coffee table made of solid oak, featuring a very thick tabletop resting on three hexagonal legs—a design inspired by the 1950s. In excellent overall condition; re...
Wood, Oak
$3,167 / item
H 11.62 in Dm 37.01 in
“Triumph Arch Table” Black Marquina Marble and Glass Minimalist Coffee Table
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Arch Coffee Table explores the relationship between architectural form and material through a composition of sculptural simplicity. Three solid Marquina marble bases support a ci...
Marble
1950s Solid Teak Danish Coffee Table by Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Victoria, BC
Elegant Danish teak coffee table, a creation by Peter Hvidt for France & Daverkosen in the 1950s. Meticulously crafted from solid teak, it highlights the wood's stunning grain. Recen...
Teak
$6,900
H 23.75 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Mahogany Coffee Table by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A square, vintage Mid-Century modern Swedish coffee table made of hand crafted polished Mahogany, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in good condition. The Scandina...
Metal, Brass
1950s French Solid Oak Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning oak coffee table from France, 1950s. Solid oak circular table with arched stretchers connecting four block legs. Perfect as a coffee table. Original wood finish shows nice a...
Oak
Original Mid Century Coffee Table, Oak, Czech, 1950s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant small Mid-Century table comes from Czechoslovakia from the mid-20th century. It is made of light oak wood and has been preserved in very good original condition. This fu...
Wood, Lacquer, Oak
$2,829Sale Price / item|10% Off
H 11.62 in Dm 37.01 in
“ Triumph Arch Table” White Carrara Marble and Glass Minimalist Coffee Table
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The **Arch Coffee Table** embodies a minimalist approach to form, combining sculptural simplicity with timeless materials. Three solid Carrara marble bases support a circular tempere...
Marble, Carrara Marble
1950s Italian Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Italian coffee table. Metal and brass base glass shelf in the middle. Parchment top.
Metal, Brass
Italian Coffee Table, Brass and Smoked Glass, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian coffee table, brass and smoked glass, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 45 cm; W= 50 cm; D= 50 cm.
Brass
MidCentury Brass and Glass Italian Sofa Console Table, 1970
Located in Roma, Lazio
Pure Italian style for a console with an amazing design. All refinement and style, it knows no limits. Inspired by a linear and unobtrusive design from a visual point of view, this c...
Brass
$12,783
H 15.16 in Dm 47.05 in
Mid-Century Gianfranco Frattini Round Coffee Table, Teak and Glass, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Gianfranco Frattini Round Coffee Table, Teak and Glass, 1950s
Wood
Large Iron & Stone Coffee Table - France, 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusually wide and long coffee table with an iron and cast-iron base, with traces of beige paint. Comblanchien (Bourgogne) stone top.
Freeform Solid Oak Coffee Table, France, 1950s
Located in JASSANS-RIOTTIER, FR
This freeform-inspired coffee table was designed by us using an original tabletop dating from the 1950s. Crafted entirely from solid oak, it showcases the natural warmth and expressi...
Oak
Sold
H 23.23 in W 23.63 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Alf Svensson “Caballero” Tables for Tingströms, Sweden ca 1950s
By Tingströms, Alf Svensson
Located in Utrecht, NL
Swedish furniture designer Alf Svensson (1929-1992) was particularly active from the 1950s through the 1970s, creating storage elements, tables, and seating for a variety of influent...
Wood
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H 19.69 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
"Prisma" Teak & Smoked Glass Coffee Table by Alf Svensson for Tingströms, Sweden
By Alf Svensson, Tingströms
Located in Karis, Nyland
Swedish coffee table model "Prisma" in teak with the original smoked glass top, produced by Tingströms Möbelfabrik in Sweden in the late 1960s. The model came out on the market in 19...
Smoked Glass, Teak
Sold
H 19 in W 54.75 in D 21.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by designer Alf Svensson, circa 1960s
By Alf Svensson
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Swedish mid century teak coffee table by designer Alf Svensson, circa 1960s. This table features 2 olive color laminate side exte...
Teak
Sold
H 19 in W 21.5 in D 54.13 in
Vintage Danish Modern Teak Coffee Table by Alf Svensson, circa 1960s
By Alf Svensson
Located in San Antonio, TX
This vintage Danish modern teak coffee table by Swedish designer Alf Svensson is in overall great condition. The table features pull out trays that extend from either direction. The ...
Teak
Sold
H 17.72 in W 54.34 in D 27.17 in
Scandinavian Teak and Glass Coffee Table by Alf Svensson for Bra Bohag Sweden
By Bra Bohag Bjärnum, Alf Svensson
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful and rare coffee table designed by Alf Svensson and produced by Bra Bohag from Sweden in 1956. The table consists of a teak wooden frame and a 2.5 cm thick glass top. The co...
Glass, Teak
Alf Svensson Side Table in Rosewood by Ljungs Industrier in Sweden
By Alf Svensson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Side / coffee table in rosewood and steel designed by Alf Svensson. Produced by Ljungs industrier in Sweden.
Alf Svensson Prisma side tables by Tingströms in Sweden
By Alf Svensson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of Alf Svensson Prisma side tables in rosewood and clear glass. Produced by Tingströms in Sweden.
Rosewood, Glass
1956 "Uddebo" Teak Desk by Alf Svensson
By Alf Svensson
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Very elegant teak desk designed in 1956 by swedish designer Alf Svensson. It is called "Uddebo" and features three drawers on each side with beautiful curved handles.
Teak
1956 "Uddebo" Teak Desk by Alf Svensson, Sweden
By Alf Svensson
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Elegant teak Desk "Uddebo" by Alf Svensson with black accent details in the handles and fine legs. Manufactured by Bra Bohag 1956/57 in Sweden. Six sliding drawers allow for a good ...
Teak