Danish furniture designer Arne Wahl Iversen created a range of sculptural storage cabinets, secretary desks, armchairs and dressers in teak, rosewood and other durable woods that reflect the pared-back elegance and prioritization of function that are so often attributes of the finest examples of vintage Scandinavian modern furniture.
Born in Nyborg, Iversen learned the craft of furniture making from his father, who operated a modest furniture business near the family home. Iversen apprenticed as a cabinetmaker and later enrolled in the Odense Technical School to study furniture design. In 1949, Iversen attend the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, in Copenhagen. It was there he studied under legendary furniture designer Kaare Klint. Widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture, Klint helped found the furniture design school at the academy and mentored such esteemed cabinetmakers and furniture designers as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Ole Wanscher. Iversen was in good hands.
Upon finishing school, Iversen opened his own furniture shop in Nyborg. Soon after, his work immediately impressed Swedish furniture maker and IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad.
At the time, the popularity of modern Danish furniture was gaining steam around the world — it was in the postwar era that American tastemakers sold the citizenry on the appeal of Scandinavian design and its emphasis on the principles of traditional craftsmanship. Copenhagen native Finn Juhl had shown his work in the United States in 1950 and created a Danish modern line for Michigan’s Baker Furniture in 1951 (the company produced his award-winning Chieftain chair for a short time). Kamprad was eager for Iversen to create modern Danish furniture for IKEA, but their collaboration didn't last very long. Iversen decided to work independently on his own designs.
Initially, Iversen's furniture was mainly sold in Denmark, but by the end of the 1960s, he had expanded his sales to the rest of Europe and in America. Though he designed for many manufacturers, he created his most popular works for Komfort and Vinde Møbelfabrik. Iversen continued to design furniture until he retired in the mid-1980s.
Find vintage Arne Wahl Iversen chairs, cabinets, console tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$3,783Sale Price|20% Off
Arne Wahl Iversen 3-Seater Leather Sofa, Teak Frame, Denmark, 1960
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This 3-seater sofa by Arne Wahl Iversen impresses with its organic shapes, which look great in any setting. The delicate teak frame of this sofa is in excellent condition, making it ...
Leather, Teak
Danish Reupholstered Sofa by Model No. 35 by Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960s
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Vintage design sofa Sofa model no. 35 designed by Arne Wahl Iversen, manufactured by Komfort, Denmark, 1960. This comfortable sofa with impressiv...
Fabric, Teak
Banquette canapé 3 places scandinave vintage Arne Wahl Iversen pour Komfort teck
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Banquette canapé scandinave vintage des années 60, 3 places, très beau design du designer danois Arne Wahl Iversen pour Komfort, en teck, assises et dossiers constitués de coussins a...
Teak
1960s Arne Vodder 3-Seat Sofa for France & Søn, Denmark
By Arne Vodder, France & Søn
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly re-upholstered original springs pillows - The wooden parts have been refurbished.
Fabric, Wood
$4,150
H 28 in W 73.5 in D 29.5 in
Svend Aage Eriksen for Glostrup Danish Teak & Leather Three Seat Sofa Ca. 1960s
By Svend Åge Eriksen, Glostrup Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Peabody, MA
A Danish teak three seat sofa in original soft leather upholstery, designed by Svend Aage Eriksen for Glostrup Mobelfabrik, in the manner of Grete Jalk, who also designed for Glostru...
Leather, Teak
$3,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 86.62 in D 35.44 in
Arne Norell 'Mexico' Sofa in Moss Green Leather, 3 Seats, Denmark 1960s
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Bochum, NRW
Arne Norell, 'Mexico' sofa, leather and teak, Sweden, 1960s. This comfortable three seats sofa is designed by Arne Norell and holds a robust, sturdy character. The base is made of a...
Leather, Wood, Upholstery, Teak
1970s Danish 3-Seater Brown Leather Sofa with Beech Frame
Located in Praha, CZ
Classic 1970s Danish 3-seater sofa upholstered in supple brown leather, supported by a sturdy beech frame and legs. This inviting vintage piece features plush cushioning and a timele...
Leather, Beech
$6,399
H 30.32 in W 59.06 in D 32.68 in
Canapé Modèle 54 par Gae Aulenti pour Knoll – Restauration Bonjour Gallery
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Rouen, FR
Canapé deux places Modèle 54, conçu par Gae Aulenti dans les années 1970 pour Knoll International. Icône du design post-moderniste italien, ce modèle se distingue par sa structure tu...
Metal
$26,800Sale Price|21% Off
H 29.5 in W 75 in D 36 in
'Mole' Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA Brazil, 1960s, Signed
By Sergio Rodrigues, OCA Brazil
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare signed example of the 'Mole' sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, produced by OCA Brazil in the 1960s (see image gallery for a photo of the OCA stamp). This Mole sofa has an expansive am...
Rosewood, Leather
1960's Arne Wahl Iversen Easy Chairs by Komfort, Denmark
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of easy chairs model no. 30 designed by Arne Wahl Iversen, manufactured by Komfort, Denmark, 1960. These comfortable chairs have solid teak wooden frames and white upholstered c...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold|$1,421
H 38.98 in W 27.56 in D 33.08 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak Armchair by Arne Wahl Iversen in Leather
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This armchair by Arne Wahl Iversen impresses with its organic shapes, which look great in any setting. The delicate teak frame in a warm shade is in excellent condition. The caramel-...
Leather, Teak
$21,000
H 29.93 in W 88.9 in D 31.5 in
Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Celina Decorações, Midcentury Brazilian Design, 1960s
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
This sofa was produced by the Brazilian company Celina Decorações in the 1960s. The sofa is made of solid Rosewood, with seats and backs upholstered with a gorgeous fabric 100% Organ...
Silk, Rosewood
1960s Teak Three Seater Sofa by Dyrlund of Denmark
By Dyrlund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stylish three seater sofa by Dyrlund of Denmark. With an elegantly designed frame the fresh ochre upholstery compliments the rich teak beautifully. A striking Scandinavian ex...
Fabric, Teak
$12,451
H 29.93 in W 76.78 in D 28.75 in
Danish Modern TV Bench Sofa Model 161 by Hans Olsen Bramin, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans Olsen, Bramin Mobler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Modular teak TV bench model 161 by Hans Olsen for Bramin, Denmark. The set consists of a bench, two seating modules and a table. Four cushions are included. We...
Teak
1960s Vintage Sofa - Reupholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
I adore this sofa - from the 60s we removed the original yellow fabric, streamlined the sewing in this two toned velvet and added custom brass feet. Absolutely darling with good scal...
Brass
Arne Wahl Iversen Rosewood Sofa model 35
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Arne Wahl Iversen Rosewood Sofa. Manufactured by Komfort, Model no. 35. Original wood finish in great shape and newly upholstered cushions...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Danish Teak Vintage Sofa Bed by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and rare Danish teak vintage sofa bed by Arne Wahl Iversen. This was made in Denmark by Komfort, it dates from the 1960’s. The quality i...
Bouclé, Teak
Arne Wahl Iversen Sofa teak Vintage Midcentury
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Berlin, DE
We offer a beautiful sofa by Arne Wahl Iversen for the Danish manufacturer Komfort for sale. Condition: Good to very good used condition with age-related signs of wear (see pictures...
Teak
Danish Teak Vintage Sofa Bed by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and rare Danish teak vintage sofa bed by Arne Wahl Iversen. This was made in Denmark by Komfort, it dates from the 1960’s. The quality i...
Bouclé, Teak
1960s Sofa, Arne Wahl Iversen
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic 3-seater-sofa in teak from the 1960s by Arne Wahl Iversen for Komfort. The sofa has been reupholstered and covered with a high-quality fabric in black. Quality Features: ...
Fabric, Teak
Danish Teak Vintage Sofa Bed by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and rare Danish teak vintage sofa bed by Arne Wahl Iversen. This was made in Denmark by Komfort, it dates from the 1960’s. The quality i...
Bouclé, Teak
Sold
H 28.75 in W 71.66 in D 35.44 in
Arne Wahl Iversen, three seat sofa, teak and Vidar fabric from Kvadart. Denmark
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Komfort
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Wahl Iversen. Three seat sofa with frame of teak. New upholstered with Vidar 3 fabric from Kvadrat. Made by Komfort møbler in the 1960s
Teak, Fabric
Patinated Indian Red Leather Sofa by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Beautiful patinated „Indian Red“ leather sofa. Designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for own use and been in the family until recently. With teak legs. Denmark 1960s.
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 29.14 in W 73.23 in D 32.29 in
Scandinavian Modern Teak and blue Fabric Three Seat Sofa by A.W. Iversen
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful scandinavian modern teak three Seat Sofa was designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Komfort Denmark in the 1960s It features a teakwood frame in high-quality workmanship ...
Teak, Fabric
Arne Wahl Iversen Teak Convertible Daybed Sofa for Komfort
By Komfort, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arne Wahl Iversen teak convertible daybed sofa for Komfort.
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Teak
Sold
H 32.75 in W 70.5 in D 32 in
Arne Wahl Iversen Three-Seater Sofa in Slightly Curved Shape, Denmark, 1950's
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Hans Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and vey cool three-seater sofa in slightly curved shape with stained beech legs designed by Arne Wahl Iversen in the mid-1950s and made by Hans Hansen sometime in the early 1970...
Wool, Beech
Arne Wahl Iversen Three-Seat Sofa
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A "Flamingo" sofa model #15 by Arne Wahl Iversen for produced by Hans Hansen. Restored in a luxurious Cowtan & Tout mohair with leather trim.
Teak