Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
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.
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Glass, Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Cord, Rope, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Teak
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Wool, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Wool, Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Ash
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Wicker, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Faux Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Oak
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Teak, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Wood
1960s Italian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Bouclé, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Wool, Teak
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Fabric, Acrylic, Wood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Fabric, Wenge
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Wool, Cane, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Glass, Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Upholstery, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Cord, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Wood, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Wood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Cane, Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Wool, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Rosewood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Rosewood
1950s Danish Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Teak, Leather
1950s Danish Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Furniture
Fabric, Wood