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.
stool model 91 designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Michael Laursen in Aarhus
By Illum Wikkelsø, Michael Laursen
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice original Illum Wikkelso foot stool model 91 for Michael Michael Laursen in Aarhus . Solid Rosewood legs , ,comes with its original faux Leather cognac color upholstery .
Faux Leather
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
Ringstol Lounge by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Minneapolis, MN
a vintage original lounge chair crafted from tinted beechwood and woven papercord. signature hoop or ring shaped lounge frame with a woven cord seat and back that come together at a...
Papercord, Beech
Illum Wikkelso ML-90 three-seater sofa Laursen Denmark 1960
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
A refined Illum Wikkelsø model ML-90 three-seater sofa, produced by Mikael Laursen, Denmark, circa 1960. This sculptural sofa features beautifully shaped solid wood legs with Wikkels...
Fabric, Teak
$8,123 / set
H 28.35 in W 24.41 in D 21.66 in
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 leg...
Leather, Rosewood
$1,290Sale 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
$7,543
H 30.32 in W 30.71 in D 27.56 in
Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chair Model 451 by Aarhus Polstrermøbelfabrik in Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare easy chair model 451 designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Aarhus Polstrermøbelfabrik in Denmark.
Leather, Rosewood
$3,017
H 29.93 in W 26.78 in D 27.56 in
Lounge / Armchairs in teak by Illum Wikkelsø, 1950s, Danish design
By Illum Wikkelsø, Neils Eilersen
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
A modern set of armchairs designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by Niels Eilersen in Denmark during the 1950s.This example is Model No. 4, Capella, and reflects Wikkelsø’s refined ...
Teak
$15,666
H 34.26 in W 37.8 in D 37.41 in
Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chair Model V11 Produced by Holger Christiansen in Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair model V11 designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Holger Christiansen in Denmark.
Leather, Oak
$4,525
H 36.62 in W 31.89 in D 33.47 in
1960s, Danish design by Illum Wikkelsø, armchair, model 110, leather, teak wood.
By Illum Wikkelsø, Søren Willadsen
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish design by Illum Wikkelsø. Armchair, model 110. Partially renovated by craftsman: completely new upholstery inside the seat, legs and leather refreshed. Original black l...
Leather, Teak
$8,703
H 30.32 in W 30.71 in D 27.56 in
Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chair Model 451 by Aarhus Polstrermøbelfabrik in Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare easy chair model 451 designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Aarhus Polstrermøbelfabrik in Denmark.
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 Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
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
Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in San Francisco, CA
An Illum Wikkelsø easy chair, previously reupholstered in red nubuk leather, on tapered rosewood legs.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 32.68 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in
Rare Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler 'Apollo' with Ottoman in Leather
By Ryesberg Møbler, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler, lounge chair with ottoman, model 'Apollo', leather, lacquered wood, Denmark, 1970s This distinctive and rare lou...
Leather, Wood
Customizable Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, to be reupholstered lounge chair and ottoman in fabric and oak, Denmark, 1960s. This ML 91 model lounge chair was designed by Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Mi...
Fabric, Wood
Illum Wikkelsø Model 380 Leather Ottoman for Mikael Laursen
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by A. Mikael Laursen in Aarhus, Denmark, the Model 380 ottoman features a solid oak frame with a lightly refinished stained finish. Four round...
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
Sold
H 16.54 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Midcentury Stool Model V11 in Leather and Rosewood, Designed by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, Holger Christiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Stool in patinated leather, designed by Illum Wikkelsø and made by Holger Christiansen. Great original condition.
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 35.04 in W 34.65 in D 35.83 in
Danish ML-91 Reupholstered Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Michael Laursen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Clearly recognizable as a Illum Wikkelso design is this comfortable ML-91 easy chair. This chair was made mid sixties by the Michael Laursen factory. A fairly unconventional design w...
Wool, Teak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 39 in D 41.3 in
Rare Buttoned Leather Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelso for Ryesberg with Ottoman
By Ryesberg Møbler, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Houston, TX
This rare bowl chair, which floats on a black wooden base, was designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler in the 1950s-1970s. Super comfortable due to it's bowl form, this fantas...
Leather, Wood
Illum Wikkelsø Foot Stool or Ottoman Model ML 91 for Mikael Laursen
By A. Mikael Laursen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare find and the original companion for Illum Wikkelsø's sought after model 91 lounge chair manufactured by Mikael Laursen in the 1960s. This footstool is a beautiful aerodynamic de...
Wool, Oak
Sold
H 34.26 in W 34.26 in D 37.8 in
Pair of lounge chairs and ottomans by Illum Wikkelso, Denmark, 1960
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Rare pair of oak lounge chairs and ottomans, model ML-91 designed by Illum Wikkelso for Mikael Laursen, Denmark, 1960. Professionally re upholstered with ivory velvet Measure: To...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Lounge Chairs and Ottomans by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of large-scale lounge chairs and ottomans in dark brown buffalo leather with down cushions and rosewood legs. Designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Sold individually. Matching sofa also...