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.
Loveseat by Illum Wikkelso in Cognac Leather and Rosewood Denmark 1960's
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Danish Illum Wikkelso designed sofa in a light brown Buffalo leather. Raised on a base of rosewood giving the sofa richness and elegance. The perfect relaxed look of the 196...
Leather, Rosewood
Illum Wikkelsø V12 Danish Modern Sofa or Loveseat
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare two-seat sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by Holger Christiansen in the 1960s in Denmark. Original leather. Rosewood legs. Common signs of wear, patina on leather th...
Leather
Soborg Rosewood & Cane Plexus Modular Two Seat Sofa / Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Deland, FL
This set of easy chairs by Illum Wikkelsoø is part of the mid century design collection. The chairs most distinctive feature are the rosewood arms that curve slightly outwards as doe...
Rosewood
$5,516
H 28.35 in W 88.59 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Danish 3-seater Sofa ML-140 by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s.
By A. Mikael Laursen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Asaa, DK
Mid-Century Danish 3-seater Sofa ML-140 by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s. Beautiful and elegant three seater sofa designed by renowned Danish architect Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Da...
Oak
Danish Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat Early 1950s
By Mogens Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant 1940s curved two-seat sofa from the 1940s. Often called banana sofas by the Danes due to the curved shape. This sofa has slightly more straight backrest an...
Brass
$1,147
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
Curved Banana Shape Loveseat or Sofa in Floral Wool, Denmark 1940s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Viggo Boesen style banana shaped or curved Loveseat made in Denmark, around late 1930s or early 1940s. This small sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round volup...
Wool, Beech
Danish 1950s Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant Danish 1950s curved two-seat sofa raised on a beech frame and legs. These type of sofas was manufactured from the 30's and up through the early 50's. The 5...
Wool, Beech
$2,600
H 30 in W 59 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Danish Modern Beautiful Dark Red Leather loveseat Sofa Birch Legs
By Mogens Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful dark Red leather loveseat sofa birch legs. Designed by Mogens Hansen. Beautiful Dark Red leather is soft and s...
Leather, Birch
Illum Wikkelso Leather Sofa in Rosewood and Woven Rattan Cane
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Rare bench by Danish designer Illum Wikkelso Rosewood and wicker structure, fawn leather cushion with a beautiful patina.
Leather, Palisander
$1,650Sale Price|25% Off
H 30 in W 63 in D 31 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Black Leather sofa Loveseat
By Skipper Mobler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Black Leather sofa Loveseat by Skipper Mobler. Stunning design and shape 2 seat sofa with 2 additional arm cushions that sits on 4 large round ...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Petite Sofa or Loveseat Attributed to Overman
By Overman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural looking sofa from the 1970s. It features original upholstery and chrome-plated steel legs.
Steel
$2,100Sale Price|25% Off
H 30 in W 55 in D 30 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Beautiful Red Leather loveseat Sofa oak Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful soft Red leather loveseat sofa oak legs. Beautiful Red leather is soft and shows signs of use but broken in nicely. Great small Danish Modern sofa...
Leather, Oak
$2,850
H 30.5 in W 48.5 in D 33.5 in
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul McCobb for Planner Group loveseat, settee or sofa. Upholstery needs to be updated as it has stains, foam is good. Price includes refinishing of legs. Measures: Seat 16" H, arm 1...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Post Modern Loveseat or Sofa Produced by Preview Furniture
By Preview
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural base with floating front sofa made by Preview circa 1992. It features the original tweed fabric in good condition. Could use cleaning before use.
Fabric
Illum Wikkelsø Rare Leather Loveseat
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Illum Wikkelsø Two-seater sofa with rosewood legs, sides, back and loose cushions upholstered with black leather.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 28 in W 82 in D 31 in
Teak Lounge Sofa Model 50-3 by Illum Wikkelsø for Søren Willadsen, Danish Modern
By Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Absolutely stunning and rare piece by Illum Wikkelsø for Søren Willadsen, the "50-3" sofa. Gorgeous original fabric in excellent condition. Signed. Solid teak base. The sculpted cyli...
Teak
Illum Wikkelso Sofa or Loveseat for Soren Willadsen Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Cincinnati, OH
An upholstered sofa or loveseat with three lose bottom cushions all refinished in a woven creamy white and beige fabric. The solid teak frame has removable solid teak legs and is wel...
Teak
Sold
H 28 in W 82 in D 31 in
Teak Lounge Sofa Model 50-3 by Illum Wikkelso for Søren Willadsen, Danish Modern
By Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Absolutely stunning and rare piece by Illum Wikkelsø for Søren Willadsen, the "50-3" sofa. Gorgeous original fabric in excellent condition. Signed. Solid teak base. The sculpted cyli...
Teak
Illum Wikkelso Modern Danish Teak Settee or Loveseat in Grey Velvet
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Houston, TX
Illum Wikkelso modern Danish teak settee or loveseat in grey velvet.
Velvet, Teak
Illum Wikkelsø Capella Model Loveseat in Teak + Leather
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Berkeley, CA
This beautifully sculpted teak loveseat sofa known as the ' Capella' model was designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen in 1959. Expertly crafted from solid teak, this sofa feat...
Leather, Teak
Illum Wikkelso Two-Seater Sofa, Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wood framed sofa by Illum Wikkelso. Sofa has two (2) seat cushions in original brown corduroy and two (2) back cushions in dark gray. Finger joint construction around arm area. Wonde...
Fabric, Teak