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Illum Wikkelsø

Danish, 1919-1999

The work of furniture designer Illum Wikkelsø wholly embodies the spirit of Scandinavian modernism. With their organic forms and wealth of angles inspired by the Danish countryside, his vintage lounge chairs, sofas and other seating pieces offer ergonomic comfort and lasting visual appeal. 

Born Kristian Illum Wikkelsø and raised in a town near Faaborg, Denmark, the designer grew up around carpentry and cabinetmaking. He apprenticed with a cabinetmaker in his teens and enrolled in classes at the Technical Society School in Copenhagen as well as the Danish School of Arts & Crafts. At the latter, Wikkelsø studied under Kaare Klint, an architect and designer widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture. 

After completing his studies, Wikkelsø went on to work with famed Danish architect and furniture maker Jacob Kjær. After a time with Kjær, he moved on. He went to work for designer and architect Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen at Hvidt & Mølgaard, a firm established by Mølgaard-Nielsen — Wikkelsø’s former instructor at the Technical Society School — and Peter Hvidt that yielded more than 250 designs and lasted over 30 years. 

In 1954, Wikkelsø opened his own design studio in Aarhus, Denmark. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he made quite a name for himself, with designs that were new and innovative to the industry at the time. He created furniture for Holger Christiansen and secured commissions from the Danish government. While he’s likely best known today for his inviting teak and leather lounge chairs or slender rosewood dining chairs, some of Wikkelsø’s 1960s-era lounge chairs merged Danish craftsmanship and Pop art with their unconventionally shaped chrome frames and vibrantly colored upholstery. 

Wikkelsø passed away in 1999, but collectors around the world continue to prize his outstanding designs. 

Find vintage Illum Wikkelsø tables, seating and case pieces on 1stDibs.

Danish Midcentury Modern round coffee table c1960 by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in London, GB
Danish T118 teak coffee table with glass top designed by Illum Wikkelso. The smoke/grey coloured glass gracefully floats on top . Dimensions: Height: 16 in (40 cm) Diameter: 36 in ...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø

Materials

Hardwood

1960's Olive Brown Leather Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, Holger Christiansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic leather chair with ottoman in olive brown buffalo leather raised on rosewood legs. This rare model which resembles the fabled model V11 was designed by Illum Wikkelsø and m...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler 'Apollo' Lounge Chair in Leather
By Illum Wikkelsø, Ryesberg Møbler
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler, lounge chair model 'Apollo', leather, lacquered wood, Denmark, 1970s This distinctive lounge chair by Illum Wikkelsø is of high-quality both in t...
Category

1970s Danish Post-Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø

Materials

Leather, Wood

Illum Wikkelsø Danish Modern Sofa
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Illum Wikkelsø three seater sofa with sculpted Teak legs. Upholstered with green wool. Manufactured by Mikael Laursen
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø

Materials

Wool, Teak

Illum Wikkelsø Danish Modern Sofa
Illum Wikkelsø Danish Modern Sofa
$5,200
H 28 in W 87 in D 33 in
Loveseat by Illum Wikkelso in Cognac Leather and Rosewood Denmark 1960's
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Danish Illum Wikkelso designed sofa in a light brown Buffalo leather. Raised on a base of rosewood giving the sofa richness and elegance. The perfect relaxed look of the 196...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chairs with Ottoman Model Capella
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Vienna, AT
Illum Wikkelsø. Solid hardwood armchair, new upholstered in black leather. Related stool H. 35 cm. Manufactured by N. Eilersen, model Capella. Traces of age and wear, including among...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chairs with Ottoman Model Capella
Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chairs with Ottoman Model Capella
$2,980
H 29.14 in W 26.78 in D 27.56 in
Illum Wikkelsø ‘Apollo’ Lounge Chair & Ottoman in White Leather, Denmark 1970's
By Illum Wikkelsø, Ryesberg Møbler
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
Designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced in small quantities by Ryesberg Møbler, this rare “Apollo” set pairs a deep, contoured seat with a crisp black lacquered wooden base. This exa...
Category

1970s Danish Space Age Vintage Illum Wikkelsø

Materials

Leather, Lacquer

Illum Wikkelsøe Capella Series Armchairs, 1950
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Remarkable pair of easy chairs from the Capella series, designed by Illum Wikkelsø, produced by Niels Eilersen in Denmark, designed in 1959, solid teak wood frames with loose cushion...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø

Materials

Leather, Teak

Illum Wikkelsøe Capella Series Armchairs, 1950
Illum Wikkelsøe Capella Series Armchairs, 1950
$5,600 / set
H 29.75 in W 26.5 in D 29 in
Browse all Furniture from Illum Wikkelsø
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Illum Wikkelsø Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$5,533Lounge ChairsOak1960
2025$7,800Lounge ChairsSheepskin, Teak1960s
2025$4,450SofasFabric, Oak1950s
2025$2,500Lounge ChairsWicker, Wood1950s
2025$2,340Side Tables, Coffee and Cocktail TablesGlasscirca 1960
2025$3,450ArmchairsLeather, WoodCirca 1960
2025$2,100Coffee and Cocktail TablesBrass, Rosewood1960s
2025$710Nesting Tables and Stacking TablesWood1960s
2025$5,283Lounge ChairsCanvas, Velvet, Wood1960s
2024$7,151Lounge ChairsLeather, Macassar, Walnut1960s
2024$2,872ArmchairsBouclé, Wood1960
2024$900Animal SculpturesTeak1960
2024$6,200Lounge ChairsFabric, Oak1950s
2024$4,477Lounge Chairs, ChairsFaux Leather, Teak1960s
2024$4,475Armchairs, Lounge ChairsLeather, Wood, Teak1960s
2024$4,050Lounge ChairsSteel, Leather1960s
2024$2,400SofasLeather, Rosewood1960-1969
2024$2,800ChairsCord, Wood1950s
$3,950
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$710-$7,800
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Illum Wikkelsø

Illum Wikkelsø furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Illum Wikkelsø furniture 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 Illum Wikkelsø furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 241 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Illum Wikkelsø were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Johannes Andersen, Peter Hvidt, and France & Søn. Prices for Illum Wikkelsø furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $614 and can go as high as $37,737, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,450.

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