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.
Illum Wikkelsø Capella Sofa, Jacaranda & Leather, Mid-Century, 1960
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
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
$7,992Sale 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
$1,124
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
$15,044 / 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
$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
Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Ranst, VAN
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
$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 Wikkelsøe Capella Series Armchairs, 1950
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful 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 cushions...
Leather, Teak
$15,500
H 26.78 in W 85.04 in D 31.3 in
Illum Wikkelsø Model V11 Leather Sofa for Holger Christiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Holger Christiansen
Located in Utrecht, NL
This freestanding 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 working...
Leather, Wood
$4,450
H 27.76 in W 74.41 in D 29.14 in
Illum Wikkelso 'Capella' Three Seat Sofa in Oak and Forest Green Cushions
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen, 'Capella' three seat sofa, oak, fabric, Denmark, 1950s Timeless and elegant Illum Wikkelsø 'Capella' three-seat sofa. Crafted in the 1950s, this e...
Fabric, Oak
$19,393
H 27.17 in W 88.59 in D 31.5 in
Danish Mid Century V11 Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø in Olive Brown Leather, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and perfect example of an iconic Danish mid century three seater sofa model "V11" in thick original olive brown leather with beautiful matching wooden legs by Illum Wikke...
Leather, Walnut
$5,200 / set
H 29.75 in W 26.5 in D 29 in
Set of Two Illum Wikkelsø "Capella" Chairs in Rosewood, 1950
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful set of 2 chairs from the Capella series, designed by Illum Wikkelsø, produced by Niels Eilersen in Denmark, designed in 1959, solid rosewood frame with loose cushions in or...
Wool, Rosewood
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
Wool, Teak
EXL Mid Century Danish Modern Illum Wikkelsø Boucle Teak Sofa
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Bestow your eyes upon this absolutely stunning Soren Willadsen four-seat sofa, designed by Illum Wikkelsø circa 1960’s. This model 50-4 is a extraordinary piece! It features a teak ...
Bouclé, Teak
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