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.
Rare Set of Ten Dining Chairs in Leather and Rosewood by Illum Wikkelsø, 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare set of ten dining chairs, designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by Brdr. Tromborg & Vestervig Eriksen in Denmark during the 1950s, exemplifies the sculptural elegance...
Leather, Rosewood
Restored Danish Modern Round Back Armchairs by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
A rare set of four low-back elmwood dining or accent chairs by Illum Wikkelsø, produced in Denmark by Niels Eilersen c. mid-1960s. Similar to Hans Wegner’s iconic Round Chair, Wikke...
Bouclé, Elm
$2,087Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø, Denmark, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Oirlo, LI
Dinner chairs design by Illum Wrapsø 1960 Denmark. Beautiful set of four rare dark wood dining table chairs attributed to Illum Wikkelsø, Denmark 19...
Wood
$9,600 / set
H 38 in W 18.5 in D 21 in
Vintage Danish Set of Ten Rosewood Eva Dining Chairs by Niels Koefoed
By Niels Koefoed, Koefoeds Hornslet
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern 'Eva' dining chairs by Niels Koefoed for Koefoeds Hornslet, circa 1960's. Features a sculptural rosewood frame designed with a tall backrest support. This set incl...
Rosewood
$3,300 / set
H 36.62 in W 18.51 in D 18.12 in
Danish Mid Century Modern, Set of 6 Henning Kjærnulf Oak Dining Chairs, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A characterful set of six Danish dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, crafted in oak and dating from the 1960s. The chairs feature Kjærnulf’s distinctive combination of traditional Sc...
Fabric, Oak
$4,400 / set
H 36.62 in W 18.51 in D 18.12 in
Danish Mid Century Modern, Set of 8 Henning Kjærnulf Oak Dining Chairs, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A characterful set of eight Danish dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, crafted in oak and dating from the 1960s. The chairs feature Kjærnulf’s distinctive combination of traditional ...
Fabric, Oak
Rare Modular Leather Sofa Set by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, Ryesberg Møbler
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Illum Wikkelsø Manufacturer: Ryesberg Møbler Era: 1970 Materials: Leather Condition: In excellent original condition.
Leather
$2,910 / set
H 31.5 in W 19.1 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Oak Dining Chairs from Slagelse Møbelværk, 1960s, Set
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Rødding, DK
Danish set of six dining chairs in solid oak, produced by Slagelse Møbelværk, 1960s. Straight, tapered legs with a clean, architectural frame construction. The frame is built in sol...
Bouclé, Oak
$1,109
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
$1,217
H 35.04 in W 23.04 in D 24.81 in
Model IW3 Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, Danish Modern, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Rødding, DK
Model IW3 rocking chair by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø, designed in 1958. The chair has a light, open construction with a broad wooden seat, tall spindle back and long curved rock...
Oak
$18,866 / set
H 29.14 in W 20.87 in D 16.93 in
Kai Kristiansen Set of 8 Model 42 Rosewood Dining Chairs 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 42 Dining Chairs, 1956. A set of 8 dining chairs produced by Schou Andersen for the Illum Bolighus department store in Copenhagen. The frames are made from t...
Rosewood, Fabric
$22,740 / set
H 29.93 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Set of 10 Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Model 31 Dining Chairs 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 31 Dining Chairs A set of 10 dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen Mobelfabrik in the early 1960s and designed by master of Danish mid-century design: K...
Wool, Bouclé, Rosewood
$3,188
H 30.32 in W 77.37 in D 28.75 in
Vintage Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Teak Frame, Denmark
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
$22,277 / set
H 29.14 in W 20.87 in D 16.93 in
Kai Kristiansen Set of 8 Model 42 Rosewood Dining Chairs 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 42 Dining Chairs Kai Kristiansen's iconic Model 42 dining chairs, produced by cabinetmaker Villy Schou Andersen in Denmark and designed in 1956. These exampl...
Fabric, Rosewood
$1,971 / set
H 30.32 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in
Set of 4 Vintage Danish Teak Dining Chairs, Mid-Century Modern Design, 1960s
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Elevate your dining space with this beautiful set of four Danish mid-century modern dining chairs. Crafted in the 1960s, these chairs feature elegant teak frames with gently curved b...
Faux Leather, Teak
Illum Wikkelsø Set of 8 Dining Chairs for Brandon
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hi Brandon! The price is including shipping and for 8 chairs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Set of 8 chairs, in leat...
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 29.14 in W 27.96 in D 21.66 in
Mid Century Set of 4 Round Back Elm Wood Dining by Illum Wikkelso 1960's Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in London, GB
This rare set of armchairs/carvers by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilers, are truly iconic in design and form crafted out of Elm wood the seats re upholstered in a charming Cognac leath...
Leather, Elm
Sold
H 26 in W 24 in D 19 in
Pr. Illum Wikkelso Design Niels Eilersen Made Danish Mid Century Dining Chairs
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Danish Mid Century Modern arm, or dining chairs designed by Illum Wikkelso, cabinetry by Niels Eilersen, made in Denmark circa 1950's. These classic chairs are constructed of...
Teak
Sold
H 29.93 in W 19.89 in D 20.48 in
Set of Eight Dining Chairs Designed by Illum Wikkelsö, Denmark, 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of eight dining chairs designed by Illum Wikkelsö, Denmark, 1950s. Rosewood, rattan and fabric. Extremely rare model. This set of eight very rare dining chairs was desi...
Fabric, Rattan, Rosewood
Set of Ten 1950s Teak Dining Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, Brøderna Tromborg
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare set of ten chairs designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced in Denmark by Vestervig Eriksen and Brøderna Tromborg Møbelfabrik during the 1950s. Solid teak frame with black leather se...