IKEA is the world's largest furniture retailer, but its origins were far humbler than its global footprint suggests. Founded in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in the Swedish village of Älmhult, the company began as a mail-order business selling pens, wallets and picture frames. It wasn't until 1948 that the IKEA catalog started featuring furniture, altering the course of modern domestic design.
IKEA is rooted in democratic design, or the belief that well-made, beautiful objects should be accessible to everyone. This philosophy took shape in the 1950s when IKEA began working with independent designers to develop its own furniture lines. The pivotal innovation came in 1956, when IKEA introduced flat-pack furniture, a practical solution born out of necessity when designer Gillis Lundgren removed a table's legs to fit it into a car. This single insight reshaped how the world thinks about manufacturing, shipping and the relationship between consumer and object.
The 1970s and 1980s are now widely considered the golden age of IKEA design, a period when the company regularly collaborated with outside designers before transitioning to entirely in-house production. These decades produced some of the brand's most collectible pieces, and vintage examples are today actively sought after by collectors worldwide. Karen Mobring's safari-influenced seating — including the Diana, Natura and Amiral chairs — captures the organic, relaxed spirit of the era, while Noboru Nakamura's Bore chair and Lundgren's Pixi lounge chair round out the most coveted 1970s offerings. The 1980s brought a sharper, more industrial sensibility through Niels Gammelgaard's work in wire and tubular steel, among them the Enetri shelf, the wire Jarpen chairs and the foldable Ted chair, as well as Tord Björklund's Skye chaise and Klinte armchair.
Beyond these core collaborators, IKEA has worked with some of the most significant names in 20th-century design. Kai Kristiansen, Ettore Sottsass, Verner Panton and Mats Theselius all produced pieces for the brand, and rare examples of their IKEA work are among the most prized finds for collectors today. More recently, collaborations with designers such as Ilse Crawford, Tom Dixon and Hella Jongerius through its IKEA PS (“post scriptum”) collections have continued to push the brand into more expressive territory.
IKEA has also shaped retail culture itself. Its sprawling, maze-like store format — introduced in Älmhult in 1958 — transformed shopping into an experience, complete with room vignettes, a Swedish café and a one-way path designed to inspire. The brand has since expanded to more than 60 countries, while its annual catalog, once one of the most widely distributed publications in the world, became a cultural artifact in its own right.
IKEA continues to balance its founding tension: mass production in the service of good design. As Kamprad once put it, "to design a desk which may cost $1,000 is easy for a furniture designer, but to design a functional and good desk which shall cost $50 can only be done by the very best."
Find a range of vintage and collectible IKEA chairs, shelving and furniture on 1stDibs.
Two abstract metal floor sculptures by Tony Almén and Peter Gest for Ikea 1990
By IKEA
Located in München, DE
Pair of original limited abstract metal Ikea floor sculptures from 1990. In good condition. Suitable for all living areas and very decorative. Design by Tony Almén and Peter Gest. Ik...
Metal
Biomorphic Sculpture Object in Aluminum by Eva & Peter Moritz for Ikea, 1980
By IKEA
Located in Delft, NL
Biomorphic Sculpture Object in Aluminum by Eva & Peter Moritz for Ikea, 1980 Dimensions: 34cm Width, 19cm Height , 14cm Depth Period: 1980s Condition: Good ( has some patina and lig...
Aluminum
Metal Sculpture of Two Parrots
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Metal sculpture of two parrots by Curtis Jere.
Metal
$1,036
H 24.41 in W 10.04 in D 25.2 in
Decorative Black Sheep by Hanns Peter Krafft for Meier, Germany 1980s
By Hans Peter Krafft
Located in München, BY
A very decorative black vintage sheep, designed by Hanns Peter Krafft and manufactured by Krafftmeier, Germany. Probably made in the 1970s/80s. This handmade sheep was designed in t...
Leather, Wool, Plastic, Pine
Betty Gold Abstract Geometric Metal Sculpture Signed and Numbered
By Betty Gold 1
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stunning geometric metal and red paint sculpture by the well-known American artist Betty Gold. This work is an edition, signed and marked 23/50. Similar work, large size, as shown in...
Metal
Biomorphic plaster sculpture, France 1960s
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Biomorphic plaster sculpture, France 1960s. Intriguing organic forms sculpted out of solid plaster with a characteristic structured surface. The forms flow into each other, and with ...
Plaster
Peter Shire 1991 Abstract Metal Sculpture
By Peter Shire
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Wonderful whimsical metal sculpture from the noted California artist Peter Shire. It is signed and dated 1991 lower edge on one side. The sculpture is in good condition with some min...
Metal
$340Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.25 in W 7.5 in D 6.5 in
Biomorphic Abstract Pottery Sculpture by Robert Ortlieb
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool biomorphic abstact pottery sculpture by California listed artist Robert Ortlieb, circa 1970s. The piece is hand thrown terracotta pottery pa...
Terracotta
Abstract Brutalistic Metal Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Unique brutalistic sculpture of head/face. This piece is signed but we can't make out the signature.
Metal
Peter Aldridge for Steuben "Arcus" Sculpture
By Steuben Glass, Peter Aldridge
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This Steuben sculpture, titled Arcus, was designed in 1977 by British sculptor and designer Peter Aldridge (b.1947). Aldridge was graduated with distinction from London's Royal College of Art and worked as artist-in-residence at Steuben in 1977. A recipient of Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts, Aldridge went on to be appointed Steuben's Vice President and Creative Director. Aldridge began working as CEO of Scotland's prestigious North Lands Creative Glass center in 2007 before returning to New York in 2010, and currently serves on Steuben's Board of Trustees. His works are held in the permanent collections of London's Victoria & Albert Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass among other notable museums, and are also in private collections throughout the world. This striking geometric Aldridge sculpture has been given design number 0217 and is made from cast, cut and polished lead glass. The angular piece has a multifaceted construction consisting of a series of triangles, squares and rectangles which have been expertly cut and polished. The piece was included as one of a select number of nonjuried designs in the 1984 exhibition "50 Years on 5th - A Retrospective Exhibition of Steuben Glass." It is also worthy of note that an engraved version of this crystal sculpture titled "Peace Crystal" was given to late President Anwar El Sadat and late Prime Minister Menachem Begin...
Crystal
$300Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.25 in W 6.75 in D 4.25 in
Biomorphic Abstract Pottery Sculpture by Robert Ortlieb
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool biomorphic abstact pottery sculpture by California listed artist Robert Ortlieb, circa 1970s. The piece is hand thrown terracotta pottery pa...
Terracotta
Aluminum Sculpture by Aharon Bezalel
By Aharon Bezalel
Located in Highland, IN
The two abstracted figures in this cast aluminium piece by Israeli sculptor Aharon Bezalel b.1926 are very evocative. One seated, one standing, both stripped of their individual iden...
Aluminum
Original Starburst Sculpture by Tony Duquette
By Tony Duquette
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Iconic gold painted metal starburst sculpture, created by the legendary Tony Duquette. We have two available and the bases vary. Please contact us if you'd like images or additional ...
1980s Biomorphic Cast Metal Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, CA
Unusual and dramatic biomorphic cast metal sculpture, circa late 1980s. Sculpture has an organic, tree root like appearance with two curved, root ...
Metal
Sold
H 75 in W 17 in D 15.5 in
Vintage Laurids Lønborg postmodern female figure valet for IKEA, circa 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Laurids Lønborg postmodern female figure valet for IKEA, circa 1980s. Made in Denmark, this unique piece doubles as a coat stand and is in very g...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 7.49 in W 13.39 in D 5.52 in
Biomorphic Sculpture Object in Aluminum by Eva & Peter Moritz for Ikea, 1980
By IKEA
Located in Delft, NL
Biomorphic Sculpture Object in Aluminum by Eva & Peter Moritz for Ikea, 1980
Aluminum
Sold
H 34.26 in W 14.97 in D 8.27 in
Original limited abstract metal floor sculpture "Doman" from Ikea 1990
By IKEA
Located in München, DE
Original limited abstract metal floor sculpture "Doman" from Ikea 1990. In very good collector's condition. Suitable for all living areas and very decorative. Design is by Tony Almén...
Metal
Sold
H 34.26 in W 14.97 in D 8.27 in
Original limited abstract metal floor sculpture "Doman" from Ikea 1990
By IKEA
Located in München, DE
Original limited abstract metal floor sculpture "Doman" from Ikea 1990. In very good collector's condition. Suitable for all living areas and very decorative. Design is by Tony Almén...
Metal
Sold
H 16.15 in W 4.34 in D 3.55 in
Vintage Ikea set of 2 ceramic Penguin sculptures by Katarina Brieditis
By IKEA
Located in Delft, NL
Vintage Ikea set of 2 ceramic Penguin sculptures by Katarina Brieditis Dimensions: 41 cm Height 11cm Width 9cm diameter 33.5cm Heigt 9cm Width 8,5cm diameter Condition: Good Color:...
Ceramic
Sold
H 16.15 in W 4.34 in D 3.55 in
Vintage Ikea set of 2 ceramic Penguin sculptures by Katarina Brieditis
By IKEA
Located in Delft, NL
Vintage Ikea set of 2 ceramic Penguin sculptures by Katarina Brieditis
Ceramic
Limited Abstract Metal Floor Sculpture "Doman" from Ikea, 1990
By IKEA
Located in München, DE
Original limited abstract metal floor sculpture "Doman" from Ikea 1990. In good collector's condition. Suitable for all living areas and very decorative. D...
Metal
Sold
H 35.83 in W 12.6 in D 9.06 in
Limited Large Abstract Metal Floor Sculpture by Almén and Gest for Ikea 1990
By IKEA
Located in München, DE
Original limited abstract metal floor sculpture by Ikea 1990. In very good collector's condition. Suitable for all living areas and very decorative. Design...
Metal
Sold
H 34.26 in W 12.21 in D 3.15 in
Original Limited Abstract Metal Floor Sculpture "Doman" Ikea, 1990
By IKEA
Located in München, DE
Original limited abstract metal floor sculpture "Doman" Ikea, 1990. In very good collectors condition. Suitable for all living areas and very decorative. Design by Tony pastures an...
Metal