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Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

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.

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Creator: Illum Wikkelsø
Danish ML-91 Reupholstered Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Michael Laursen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Elshout, NL
Clearly recognisable as a Illum Wikkelso design is this comfortable ML-91 easy chair. This chair was made mid-1960s by the Michael Laursen factory. A fairly unconventional design with crossed solid...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Teak

Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chair in Green Upholstery
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, lounge chair, fabric upholstery, teak Denmark, 1950s Comfortable lounge chair by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø. The shape of the chair is characterized by the high ...
Category

1950s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Scandinavian Easy Chair and Ottoman Model 272 Designed by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Karlstad, SE
Very rare easy chair and ottoman model 272 in rosewood and leather designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Beautifully designed chair in rosewood and black saddle leather. The solid rosewood le...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Rosewood, Leather

Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chair in Blue Upholstery and Oak
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, armchair, oak, fabric, Denmark, 1950s This well-designed armchair shows an unusual elegance and great eye for detail, combined with outstanding craftsmanship, which ...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chair in Blue Upholstery
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, blue fabric and oak lounge chair, Denmark, 1960s. This lounge chair was designed by Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Mikael Laursen in Denmark in the 1960s. This l...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Illum Wikkelsø Leather Armchair Chair Brown Niels Eilersen
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Danish modern teak chair with brown aniline leather. Design by Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Niels Eilersen. Great comfort with the org...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chairs Model 10 by Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare pair of easy chairs model 10 designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik in Denmark. Dimensions lowback (W x D x H): 80 x 78 x 80 cm, SH 38 cm. Di...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Teak

Illum Wikkelsø Pair of Lounge Chairs in Teak and Grey Orange Upholstery
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, pair of lounge chairs, fabric, teak, Denmark, 1950s Comfortable lounge chairs by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø. The shape of the chair is characterized by the high ...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chair by Michael Laursen in Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Michael Laursen in Denmark.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chair Model ML-91 with Stool Produced by Michael Laursen
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare easy chair model ML-91 with stool designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Michael Laursen in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Rosewood and Leather Armchair by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilerson
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rectilinear Scandinavian Modern armchair designed by Illum Wikkelso featuring an exposed solid rosewood frame, wide flattened arms, and loose natural leather cushions with a beauti...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

Danish Modern Black Lacquered Beech and Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Odense, DK
Rare and important 1950s lounge chair in lacquered beech and paper cord by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø. This stunning chair was manufactured at the cabinetmaker N. Eilersen in the...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Papercord, Beech

1950 Illum Wikkelsø Wingback Chair 'Model 110' Teak Wood Dominique Kieffer Wool
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Illum Wikkelsø for Søren Willadsen, wingback chair 'Model 110', teak completely renovated and reupholstered in Dominique Kieffer orange wool.
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Teak

Pair of High Back "Capella" Lounge Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A pair of rosewood "Capella" series lounge chairs designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen. The unique armrest inlay is a highlight of the design. Original fabric cushions attac...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Illum Wikkelsø, Lounge Chair, Leather, Rosewood, Denmark, 1960s
By Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in High Point, NC
A leather and rosewood lounge chair designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by Søren Willadsen, Vejen, Denmark, 1960s. 14.5" seat height
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Illum Wikkelso three-seat sofa Niels Eilersen Denmark 1962
By Neils Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful elegant shaped three-seat sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Niels Eilersen, 1962. This sculpted sofa features a solid teak wooden frame and the cushions a...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Illum Wikkelso lounge chairs Niels Eilersen Denmark 1962
By Neils Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful elegant shaped pair of lounge chairs designed by Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1962. These sculpted low back chairs feature a solid teak wooden...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Pair Illum Wikkelsø Plexus Chair of Mahogany Black Leather Upholstery, Denmark
By CFC Silkeborg, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Pair of Plexus chairs by the Danish furniture architect Kristian Illum Wikkelsø (1919-1999), manufactured by cabinetmaker C.F. Christensen, Silkeborg, in...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Cane, Mahogany, Leather

Illum Wikkelso ML-91 Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Illum Wikkelso lounge chair and ottoman produced by Mikael Laursen.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Oak, Fabric

Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, 1960
By Finn Juhl, Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Berlin, DE
Very beautiful pair sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen. The sofa come with brown-cognac leather and teak wood. The s...
Category

20th Century Danish Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Pair of Lounge Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, 1960
By Finn Juhl, Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Berlin, DE
Very beautiful pair of lounge chairs designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen. Both lounge chairs come with brown-cognac leathe...
Category

20th Century Danish Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Teak, Leather

Illum Wikkelsø Wikkelsoe Leather Armchair Chair black Niels Eilersen Set of 2
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Danish modern teak chair with thick black aniline leather. Design by Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Niels Eilersen. Great comfort with o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Illum Wikkelsø lounge chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Illum Wikkelsø lounge chairs 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 lounge chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 88 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original lounge chairs 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 lounge chairs by Ole Wanscher, France & Søn, and Børge Mogensen. Prices for Illum Wikkelsø lounge chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,507 and can go as high as $29,650, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,947.

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