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.
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
Danish Modern, Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair for N. Eilersen, Denmark, 1960s
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Odense, DK
Elegant rocking chair designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by N. Eilersen, Denmark, during the 1960s. The chair showcases Wikkelsø’s characteristic balance between organic form an...
Lambskin, Wool, Beech
$1,310Sale Price|20% Off
Illum Wikkelsø IW3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in London, GB
One of the most iconic rocking chairs produced during the Danish mid century furniture period, the IW3 is ergonomically designed and...
Beech
1960s Illum Wikkelso Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, 2 items a
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - high of seat 42 cm
Wood
Illum Wikkelsø Danish Modern Rocking Chair by Niels Eilersen, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Praha, CZ
A sculptural Danish Modern rocking chair designed by Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Niels Eilersen in Denmark during the 1960s. This distinctive Mid-Century Modern design combine...
Wood, Beech, Elm, Plywood
Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in London, GB
Scandinavian Modern rocking chair in ebonized wood model IW3 designed 1958 by Illum Wikkelsø.
Lacquer
$5,032
H 42.13 in W 24.81 in D 36.62 in
Scandinavian Modern Hans J. Wegner Rocking Chair, Red Lacquer, 1960s, Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
Rare early rocking chair model J16 by Hans J. Wegner manufactured by FDB in the 1960s. This rare red lacquered version were made in few numbers for a limited time-period and are a ra...
Papercord, Beech, Lacquer
$2,345
H 30.31 in W 24.41 in D 1,000,000 in
Mid-Century Danish Teak Model 100 Rocking Chair by Søren Georg Jensen, 1960s
By Søren Georg Jensen
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare Model 100 Rocking Chair by Danish manufacturers cube Møbler, designed by Søren Georg Jensen from the 60s. A rare emerging Jensen design. Unlike the common Jensen rocking chairs...
Wood, Teak
$5,316
H 29.53 in W 25.6 in D 26.78 in
1960s Ole Wanscher Teak Rocking Chair For France & Son, Denmark
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A superb and hard to find teak rocking chair designed by Ole Wanscher for France & Son, Denmark. An absolute triumph of a design, the slenderness and elegance of the frame is remark...
Teak
$1,119
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
$1,480 / set
H 35.44 in W 26.78 in D 25.6 in
Rocking Chair in Oak, Danish Mid Century Modern, Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
Beautifully crafted rocking chair in solid oak, with the seat reupholstered in a striking striped textile featuring shades of green, brown, and mustard yellow. Designed by Henning (H...
Wool, Oak
$3,218
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
$3,071
H 42.13 in W 24.81 in D 36.62 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Rocking Chair Model J16 by Hans Wegner, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian rocking chair Model J16 by Hans Wegner. Designer Biography : "Best known for his chairs and seating pieces — though a master of many furniture types like sofas and tables — Hans Wegner was a prolific designer whose elegant, often ebullient, forms and devotion to the finest methods in joinery made "Danish Modern" a popular byword for stylish, well-made furniture in the mid-20th century. Wegner considered himself a carpenter first and a furniture designer second. Like his peers Arne Jacobsen and Finn Juhl, Wegner believed that striking aesthetics in furniture were based on a foundation of practicality: a chair must be comfortable and sturdy before it is chic. In keeping with that tenet, several of Wegner’s best chair designs, seen in dealer listings below, have their roots in traditional seating...
Wood
$3,510
H 27.56 in W 28.35 in D 32.29 in
Mid Century Modern Rocking Chair, fully refurbished, Denmark 1960s
By Arne Vodder
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a refined Danish Modern lounge chair in the style of Arne Vodder, crafted in beech and dating to the 1960s. The chair exemplifies the organic elegance t...
Fabric, Beech
Rocking chair 'J16' by Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Classic rocking chair model 'J19' designed by Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, during the 1960s.
Seagrass, Beech
$993
H 46.07 in W 23.63 in D 44.1 in
Midcentury Wooden Scandinavian Style Rocking Chair, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1960s, Czechoslovakia - Good original condition.
Wood
$760
H 32.29 in W 22.05 in D 43.31 in
Danish Design Rocking Chair Ilmari Tapiovaara Model Fanett Scandinavian, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Mid-Century rocking chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for the 60's. Made in Finland, very comfortable!.
Wood
Illum Wikkelsø - Leather Lounge Chair Danish Design, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Ryesberg Møbler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Illum Wikkelsø - Leather Lounge Chair Danish Design, 1960s This distinctive lounge chair by Illum Wikkelsø embodies the essence of Scandinavian design with its refined aesthetics an...
Steel
Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair « IW3 » for Niels Eilersen 1960
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Genève, GE
Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair « IW3 » for Niels Eilersen. Ready to relax? A celebration in Denmark in the 1960s. The chair is in very good ...
Wood
1960s Illum Wikkelso Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Rocking chair designed by Danish designer Illum Wikkelso, a qualified joiner by trade. He has left behind some masterpieces of furniture that incorporate the fingerwork technique of ...
Oak
Illum Wikkelso and Niels Eilersen Rocking Chair 1958
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Oirlo, LI
Illum Wikkelso and Niels Eilersen rocking chair 1958 This original, iconic, beautifully constructed No. 3 rocking chair was designed by Danish furniture ...
Wood
Mid-Century Danish Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Athens, Attiki
Mid-century Danish rocking chair IW3 designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen Mobler of Denmark, 1960s. Wikkelsø's designs are all about simple and natural forms. Wikkelsø bel...
Beech
Sold
H 35.8 in W 21.5 in D 27.5 in
Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair, Mod. Iw3, Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1958
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic Danish Rocking chair - everyones parents and grandparents had one or wanted one in Denmark - this rocking chair is a modern classic. Danish design and craftsmanship, and alway...
Wood
1960s Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Praha, CZ
- The item was carefully refurbished - Made of solid beechwood and stained veneered seat - High of seat 42cm.
Beech
Sold
H 35.83 in W 22.84 in D 28.75 in
Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Hamburg, DE
This Mid-Century Modern rocking chair makes a welcome addition to any home with a Minimalist theme. Combining organic shapes and an enveloping seating arrangement, this Danish modern rocker boasts the ideal mix of form and comfort. Its spindle-back design, open-sided frame and light coloration also work together to ensure this piece can sit comfortably in even the smallest of living and bedrooms. Created by architect and furniture designer Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen...
Beech
Sold
H 35.83 in W 22.84 in D 29.53 in
Midcentury Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Midcentury rocking chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960s. This piece is made out of white painted beechwood. Visible signs of age and wear. Labeled underneath.
Beech
Sold
H 35.83 in W 21.66 in D 29.93 in
Illum Wikkelsø Scandinavian Black Oak Danish Rocking Chair, Denmark, 1958
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Madrid, ES
IW3 rocker designed in 1958 by Kristian Illum Wikkelsø (1919-1999) for N. Eilersen.
Oak
Danish Modern Spindle Backed Wooden Rocking Chair
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This black lacquered beech Danish modern spindle backed rocking chair boasts truncated arms and a beautiful patina as highlighted in the included...
Beech
Sold
H 35.83 in W 21.26 in D 28.35 in
Rocking Chair in Soap Treated Oak Designed by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Lejre, DK
Rocking chair in soap treated oak designed by Illum Wikkelsø and from the 1960s. The chair is in excellent vintage condition.
Oak
Illum Wikkelsø Rocker
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A white spindle back rocking chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen. Soft edges, organic spindle bends, and a molded plywood seat not only please the...