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.
Illum Wikkelsø, Settee, Brown Leather, Rosewood, Denmark, 1960s
By Holger Christiansen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Manhasset, NY
Illum Wikkelsø, Danish Mid-Century Modern, V11 Settee, Brown Leather, Rosewood, Denmark, 1960s A rare model V11 two seater sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø (1919-1999) for Holger Chr...
Leather, Rosewood
$6,000
Settee by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in San Francisco, CA
A two-seater sofa with tapered rosewood legs and 2 seat cushions. Upholstered with red leather. Model V12.
Leather, Rosewood
Illum Wikkelsø for A. Mikael Laursen & Søn Three-Seat Sofa
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Buffalo, NY
Illum Wikkelsø for A. Mikael Laursen & Søn Three-Seat Sofa,, made in Denmark,,1960. Re-upholsterd (long time ago) in a wonderful / colorful poppy flower fabric, Jack Lenor Larson St...
Fabric, Teak
$5,436
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 Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
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
$1,131
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
$15,107 / set
H 27.56 in W 74.02 in D 29.53 in
Illum Wikkelso 'Capella' Set of 2x Black Leather Sofa & Side Table Denmark 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Berlin, DE
Original condition 'Capella' Set consisting of one 2 -seater sofa, one 3-seater sofa and a side table by Danish furniture designer Kristian Illum Wikkelsø (1919-1999) for Niels Eiler...
Leather, Wood
Illum Wikkelsø Danish Modern Sofa
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Illum Wikkelsø three seater sofa with sculpted Teak legs. Upholstered with green wool. Manufactured by Mikael Laursen
Wool, Teak
Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and Leather
By Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen, France & Daverkosen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and elegant small 1950s easy style Danish settee with the frame, legs and armrests in solid teak. Very high design quality and workmanship. The piece is unmarked but the de...
Teak, Leather
Model 103 Lounge chair, Illum Wikkelsø
By A. Mikael Laursen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Neuss, NW
Model 103 Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Mikael Laursen. High-quality frame made of solid teak with original seat and backrest made of cognac brown thick leather. Quality Featur...
Leather, Teak
Emerald Velvet Settee by PolsPotten
By Pols Potten
Located in Austin, TX
Settee or small sofa by PolsPotten completely upholstered in a lush emerald green velvet. The piece has four ebonized, tapered legs. This piece is in very nice condition with only mi...
Velvet, Wood
$21,900
H 25.5 in W 90 in D 32 in
Midcentury 1965 Illum Wikkelsø – Model V11 Three-Seater Leather Sofa - Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare and highly collectible Model V11 three-seater sofa is a signature piece by Illum Wikkelsø, one of Denmark’s most celebrated mid-century modern designers. Originally crafted...
Leather
'Tank' Settee by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Mouldcraft c.1950s, Canada. The Tank sofa is a rare design featuring a cantilevered frame in a bent birch wood that g...
Upholstery, Birch
$10,637
H 29.14 in W 102.37 in D 40.56 in
Illum Wikkelso 3 Seat Curved Sofa Model 450. Circa 1960. New upholstery.
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant and rare curved sofa "Model 450" designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Aarhus Polstermøbelfabrik in the 1960s. Denmark. This important sofa shows an impressive curved shape perfect...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
$9,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 31 in D 29.5 in
Pair of Illum Wikkelso Lounge Chairs for A. Mikael Laursen & Son
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Illum Wikkelso Lounge Chairs for A. Mikael Laursen & Son
Upholstery, Wood, 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.
Steel
Danish Rosewood and Leather Capella Sofa by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A three seat sofa model Capella designed and produced in Denmark by Illum Wikkelso, original leather cushions, the hardwood frame has benefitted from a wax polish. The webbing has be...
Leather
1960s Vintage Sofa by Illum Wikkelso for Westnofa
By Westnofa Furniture, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in London, GB
A magnificent and extremely comfortable vintage sofa, this was made in Norway during the 1960s by Westnofa. It is an extremely rare variation of a design by Illum Wikkelso. Westnofa ...
Velvet, Wood
Midcentury Danish 2-Seat Sofa by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in London, GB
A classic midcentury Danish Capella 2-seater sofa designed by Illum Wikkelso for N. Eilersen, Denmark, circa 1960. Original leather upholstery with a wonderful frame and exposed box ...
Leather, Hardwood
Rosewood and Leather Sofa by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in London, GB
Capella model 3-seat sofa designed by Illum Wikkelso for N. Eilersen, Denmark, circa 1960. Original leather upholstery with a wonderful rosewood frame and exposed box joints. In ve...
Leather, Rosewood
Illum Wikkelsø Three-Seat Sofa 'V11' in Light Brown Leather
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, sofa model V11, brown leather and wood, Denmark, 1960s. This three-seat sofa is designed by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø. Highly comfortable and beautiful design...
Leather, Wood
Illume Wikkelso Settee
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in San Francisco, CA
Illume Wikkelso design black leather and rosewood settee for Holger Christiansen, Denmark. Excellent condition throughout, simple but sophisticated design.
Illum Wikkelsø Two-Seat Sofa or Settee in Brown Leather, 1960
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Paris, FR
Rare Illum Wikkelsø two-seat sofa or settee in brown leather, 1960. Rosewood feet. One of our favorite loveseat.
Leather, Rosewood
Illum Wikkelsø Two-Seat Sofa or Settee
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in New York, NY
A classic Danish 1960s black leather with down cushions and sculptural rosewood legs and swooping modern lines by Danish master, Illum Wikkelsø.
Rosewood, Leather