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.
$7,744Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Danish Model Ml 140 Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
Mid-Century Danish Modern sofa Model ML140 by Illum Wikkelsø for A. Mikael Laursen, 1960s. Beautiful and elegant three seater sofa designed by renowned Danish architect Illum Wikkels...
Oak
Illum Wikkelsø Capella Sofa, Jacaranda & Leather, Mid-Century, 1960
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in PARIS, FR
Très beau et assez rare sofa « Capella » 3 places en palissandre et cuir d’origine conçu par le designer danois Illum Wikkelsø. Il se distingue par sa structure en palissandre massif...
Leather, Jacaranda
$14,577 / set
H 27.56 in W 74.02 in D 29.53 in
Illum Wikkelso 'Capella' Set of 2x Black Leather Sofa & Side Table Denmark 1960s
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Berlin, DE
Original condition 'Capella' Set consisting of one 2 -seater sofa, one 3-seater sofa and a side table by Danish furniture designer Kristian Illum Wikkelsø (1919-1999) for Niels Eiler...
Leather, Wood
$1,089
H 29.14 in W 26.78 in D 29.14 in
Danish Rosewood Capella Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This lounge chair No. 4 or the Capella chair was designed by Illum Wikkelsø in 1959 and manufactured by Niels Erik Eilersen in the early 1960s. It featur...
Leather, Rosewood
$18,791
H 27.17 in W 90.56 in D 31.5 in
Brown Leather Danish Mid Century "V11" Three Seater Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and an iconic example of a Danish mid century three seater sofa model "V11" in thick original light brown and beautifully patinated leather with beautiful matching wooden...
Leather, Walnut
$3,900
H 25.6 in W 63 in D 27.56 in
Danish Mid Century Two Seater Sofa in Oak, Reupholstered, by Tage Poulsen, 1960s
By Tage Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely 2 seater sofa in oak, reupholstered in a vintage fabric stored from the 1980s. Designed by Danish architect Tage Poulsen, model TP632. Designed in 1962. This sofa can be free...
Fabric, Wood, Oak
Australia Model 50-4 Danish four seat sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø
By Søren Willadsen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Australia Model 50-4 is an iconic mid-century Danish four seater sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø for manufacturer Søren Willadsen in the 1960s. Located in Brooklyn NYC. Conditio...
Wool, Foam, Rubber, Teak
$5,409
H 33.08 in W 51.19 in D 28.35 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Sofa Model CH 72 by Hans Wegner, New Production
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Danish lounge chair model CH 71 by Hans Wegner. New production With its slender frame and flowing, sculptural form, Hans J. Wegner’s CH71...
Oak, Walnut
$7,061 / set
H 27.17 in W 26.78 in D 17.72 in
Illum Wikkelso pair of 'Capella' armchairs with pouf Denmark 1960
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Paris, IDF
Illum Wikkelso a pair of 'Capella' armchairs with ottoman made in Denmark around 1960. Rio Jacaranda and cognac leather. Good Condition
Leather, Jacaranda
$18,550
H 27.56 in W 91.34 in D 32.88 in
“Model V11” Three-Seater Leather Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, Denmark, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Holger Christiansen
Located in Utrecht, NL
This free-standing sofa, better known as “Model V11” is considered among the masterpiece designs of Illum Wikkelsø. The Danish designer created the “V11” series in 1965 whilst workin...
Leather, Wood
$6,240
H 27.5 in W 74.25 in D 29 in
Illum Wikkelso Capella Three Seat Sofa in Rosewood + Black Leather
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Capella three-seat sofa, designed by Illum Wikkelsø for N. Eilersen, Denmark, 1950s-60s. A sculptural rosewood frame paired with black leather upholstery, the matching three-seat...
Leather, Rosewood
$3,131
H 30.32 in W 77.37 in D 28.75 in
Vintage Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Teak Frame, Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaanderen
Vintage sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s. The sofa has a teak frame and the cushions have a cream beige fabric. The sofa is in great condition. Dime...
Teak
On Hold|$9,111
H 26.78 in W 56.7 in D 28.75 in
V12 sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Holger Christiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Holger Christiansen
Located in Antwerp, BE
A stunning example of mid-century Danish design, this rare V12 sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Holger Christiansen dates from the 1960s and stands out as one of the finest pieces we’ve so...
Leather, Wood
Illum Wikkelsø - Leather Lounge Chair Danish Design, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Ryesberg Møbler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Illum Wikkelsø - Leather Lounge Chair Danish Design, 1960s This distinctive lounge chair by Illum Wikkelsø embodies the essence of Scandinavian design with its refined aesthetics an...
Steel
$1,266Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 26.78 in D 29.53 in
1970s, Danish design by Illum Wikkelsø, model Capella for Eliersen Møbler, teak.
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish design by Illum Wikkelsø, model Capella for Eliersen Møbler. Teak wood. Very good condition: no smells and no stains. New reupholstered in a few years ago.
Wool, Teak
$6,719 / set
H 27.56 in W 26.38 in D 29.53 in
Pair of armachairs by Illum Wikkelso leather and rosewood
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Armachair by Illum Wikkelso in brown leather and rosewood By Niels Eilersen Model Capella. In good condition from 1960.
Leather, Rosewood
$6,200
H 35 in W 34.25 in D 32.5 in
Model ML91 Swivel Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Mikael Laursen, 1960s
By A. Mikael Laursen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare Illum Wikkelso designed swivel model ML91 lounge chair produced by A. Mikael Laursen circa 1960 in Denmark. This is rare variant of the ML91 with an aluminum swivel base where t...
Aluminum
Illum Wikkelsø Three-Seat Curved Sofa, 1958
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Paris, FR
Long and curved three-seat sofa model N°450 designed by Illum Wikkelsø in 1958 and produced by Aarhus Polstrermøbelfabrik, Denmark. The sofa have been fully restored and newly upholstered with a high quality wool fabric from the Danish house...
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery