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.
$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
'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
Illum Wikkelsø Two-Seat Sofa in Brown Leather
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, two-seat sofa, leather, stained wood, Denmark, 1960s A design by Illum Wikkelsø featuring modest and subtle lines and shapes that emphasize the clear construction of...
Leather, Wood
Italian Settee by Isa Bergamo
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Isa Bergamo mid century settee original faux leather upholstery and original mid century condition. Brass legs.
Brass
Rare Modular Leather Sofa Set by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, Ryesberg Møbler
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Illum Wikkelsø Manufacturer: Ryesberg Møbler Era: 1970 Materials: Leather Condition: In excellent original condition.
Leather
Australia Model 50-4 Danish four seat sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, Søren Willadsen
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
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
$18,936
H 27.17 in W 90.56 in D 31.5 in
Brown Leather Danish Mid Century "V11" Three Seater Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and an iconic example of a Danish mid century three seater sofa model "V11" in thick original light brown and beautifully patinated leather with beautiful matching wooden...
Leather, Walnut
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
$5,800 / item
H 37.5 in W 47 in D 21 in
Lola Settee, Bouclé & Natural Wood Settee by Christian Siriano
By Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order bouclé and wood settee designed by Christian Siriano. Fabric for seat/back cushion: Ivory Bouclé Base: Natural Maple.
Bouclé, Maple
Illum Wikkelsø Sofa V11 by Holger Christiansen
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Dallas, TX
A sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Holger Christiansen. Original black leather and rosewood legs.
Leather
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
Illum Wikkelsø Ringstol "Hoop" Chair
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This iconic mid-century modern hoop chair, designed by Illum Wikkelsø, features a round walnut frame with woven rope seating. Comfortable for indoor and o...
Cord, Rope, Walnut
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
Illum Wikkelsø, Settee, Brown Leather, Rosewood, Denmark, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Holger Christiansen
Located in Stamford, CT
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
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 Illum Wikkelsø, Westnofa Furniture
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 Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
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 Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
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
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