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Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Swedish, 1888-1972

Carl Malmsten, a prominent furniture designer and educator associated with Swedish modernism, enjoyed immense popularity for his shapely sofas and armchairs in luscious color palettes. Malmsten believed that light — much like our eyes and bodies — doesn’t like to bump into sharp objects. Smooth edges, on the other hand, are kinder to the eye and and to our touch, and allow light to softly bounce off surfaces. Malmsten felt that if his furniture didn’t “serve well” in the home, it had no business being there.

Malmsten’s career essentially began in 1915, when his submissions for a competition to furnish the new Stockholm City Hall were first- and second-place prize winners. In the 1920s, his profile soared. He won a prize at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — the show that brought the Art Deco style to worldwide attention — and quickly became one of the most sought-after designers of commercial seating in Sweden.

Malmsten was soon contracted to design chairs, tables and other furniture for the Stockholm Concert Hall, the Swedish Institute in Rome and the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. His famous Art Nouveau-influenced Stadshusstolen chair, designed for Stockholm City Hall in 1916, is a highlight of the city’s recently opened Museum of Furniture Studies. Malmsten expanded into interior design and created a luxurious, well-appointed living room in the palace of then-Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and his bride, Crown Princess Louise.

In the 1930s, Malmsten clashed with critics when he voiced his opposition to functionalism. Like Danish modernist Kaare Klint, he favored using quality local materials and prized traditional craftsmanship. Malmsten’s furniture draws on graceful neoclassical influences, and he said that extreme functionalism contributed to “sterile” interiors — while the curving contours of his work may share ground with furniture designed by Alvar Aalto or Bruno Mathsson, Malmsten differed with Bauhaus eminences and some Scandinavian modernists on their prioritization of functionalism.

For an exhibition in 1956 at the Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg, Malmsten designed furniture that was intended for mass production — and his striking designs began to make their way into middle-class Swedish homes owing to Malmsten’s partnerships with manufacturers such as O.H. Sjögren. Until then, he had built his pieces at the school he founded in the 1930s or had them made by artisans at several small local workshops.

Malmsten founded a number of schools for design and collaborated with other designers who shared his philosophy of “hand and mind in creative collaboration.” These included the esteemed textile artist Märta Måås Fjetterström, whose pieces he included in exhibits and even his own home.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Carl Malmsten seating, tables, cabinets and more.

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Creator: Carl Malmsten
Teak "Sladen" “The Sled” Nesting Table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden
Teak "Sladen" “The Sled” Nesting Table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden

Teak "Sladen" “The Sled” Nesting Table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län

Beautiful “The Sled” nesting table by Carl Malmsten, made from teak. Light, graceful design with sled shaped legs and a discreet decor of inlaid spheres at the edges of the table tops.

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Teak

Nest of tables “Släden”, Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s
Nest of tables “Släden”, Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s

Nest of tables “Släden”, Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Eskilstuna, SE

Nest of tables “Släden” designed by Carl Malmsten in 1948. This example is a later jubilee edition from 1988, numbered 077 and brick-marked. Made in mahogany with slender proportions...

Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of "Guldheden" Bedside Tables by Carl Malmsten, 1960s
Pair of "Guldheden" Bedside Tables by Carl Malmsten, 1960s

Pair of "Guldheden" Bedside Tables by Carl Malmsten, 1960s

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Pair of elegant bedside tables in pine, designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1960s. Excellent condition with small signs of usage and patina.

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Pine

Stool 'Visingsö' by Carl Malmsten, 1960s
Stool 'Visingsö' by Carl Malmsten, 1960s

Stool 'Visingsö' by Carl Malmsten, 1960s

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Stool in pine model 'Visingsö' designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1960s. Good condition with small signs of usage and patina. Please note: set of 2 available

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Pine

Carl Malmsten, Set of "Sledge" Nesting Tables, Sweden, circa 1948
Carl Malmsten, Set of "Sledge" Nesting Tables, Sweden, circa 1948

Carl Malmsten, Set of "Sledge" Nesting Tables, Sweden, circa 1948

By Carl Malmsten

Located in New York, NY

Midcentury nesting tables with teak marquetry by Swedish designer Carl Malmsten.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Beech, Teak

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Previously Available Items
"Guldheden" Bedside Table by Carl Malmsten, 1960s
"Guldheden" Bedside Table by Carl Malmsten, 1960s

"Guldheden" Bedside Table by Carl Malmsten, 1960s

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H 22.84 in W 19.69 in D 12.6 in

"Guldheden" Bedside Table by Carl Malmsten, 1960s

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1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

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Nest of tables ‘Släden’ model 1988 by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, 1950s

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Nest of tables ‘Släden’ model 1988 designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany. Stamped. H: 61 cm L: 80 cm W: 42 cm

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1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

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Mahogany

Pair of Carl Malmsten Bedside Tables, 1960s
Pair of Carl Malmsten Bedside Tables, 1960s

Pair of Carl Malmsten Bedside Tables, 1960s

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H 24.02 in W 20.67 in D 14.97 in

Pair of Carl Malmsten Bedside Tables, 1960s

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Pair of elegant bedside tables designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1960s. Very good condition with small signs of usage and patina. Signed.

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Midcentury Pine Console by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s
Midcentury Pine Console by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s

Midcentury Pine Console by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s

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Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län

Neat Swedish Modern pine console or bedside table by Carl Malmsten, with a rustic touch. Very nice woodgrain.

Category

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Mahogany

Nest of Tables 'Släden' Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden
Nest of Tables 'Släden' Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden

Nest of Tables 'Släden' Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Stamped. Measures: Large table: H: 57 cm / 22 1/2'' W: 70.5 cm / 2' 3 3/4'' D: 41 cm / 16'' Two smaller tables: H: 53 cm / 21'' W: 34 cm / 13 1/3'' D: 36.5 cm / 14 1/3''.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Cherry

Pair of "Guldheden" Bedside Tables by Carl Malmsten, 1950s
Pair of "Guldheden" Bedside Tables by Carl Malmsten, 1950s

Pair of "Guldheden" Bedside Tables by Carl Malmsten, 1950s

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Pair of elegant bedside tables in pine, designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s. Excellent condition with small signs of usage and patina.

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Pine

Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden
Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden

Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Nest of tables ‘Släden’ designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden. 1950’s. Birch. Silver plaque marked “Carl Malmsten Jubeluemsmodell 1988 NR 52” From the limited ju...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Birch

Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik
Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik

Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Sweden, 1950's. Rare example in walnut. Measures: Large table H: 60.5 cm/ 1' 11 7/8'' D: 79.5 cm/ 2' 7 3/4'' W: 42 cm/ 1' 5'' Small tables H: 56 cm/ 1' 10 1/2'' D: 36.5...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Walnut

Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden
Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden

Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Mahogany. Measures: H 56.4 cm/ 22 13/16" W 70 cm/ 2' 3 5/16" D 41 cm/ 16 5/32".

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1980s
Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1980s

Nest of Tables ‘Släden’ Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1980s

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Jubileum model 1988. Numbered 139. Mahogany. Measures: H 56 cm/ 22'' L 70 cm/ 2' 4'' W 41 cm/ 1' 4 1/2''.  

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1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

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Walnut "The Sled" Nesting Table by Carl Malmsten
Walnut "The Sled" Nesting Table by Carl Malmsten

Walnut "The Sled" Nesting Table by Carl Malmsten

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H 17.52 in W 27.56 in D 16.15 in

Walnut "The Sled" Nesting Table by Carl Malmsten

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län

Beautiful, masterfully made “The Sled” nesting table by Carl Malmsten. Rare edition made in walnut. Light, graceful design with sled shaped legs and a discreet decor of inlaid sphere...

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Walnut

Nest of Tables “Släden” Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
Nest of Tables “Släden” Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s

Nest of Tables “Släden” Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s

By Carl Malmsten

Located in Stockholm, SE

Nest of tables “Släden” designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany. Measures: H 57 cm/ 22 1/2" W 70 cm/ 27 1/2" D 41 cm/ 16 1/8".

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Carl Malmsten nesting tables and stacking tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Carl Malmsten nesting tables and stacking tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Carl Malmsten nesting tables and stacking tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original nesting tables and stacking tables by Carl Malmsten were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in sweden during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider nesting tables and stacking tables by Erling Torvits, Severin Hansen Jr., and Severin Hansen. Prices for Carl Malmsten nesting tables and stacking tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,103 and can go as high as $16,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,907.