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 Danish Caramel Leather & Oak Sling Design Lounge Chair
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century lounge chair with shaped oak frame and caramel leather sling seat and back. (ILLUM WIKKELSØ) Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Leather
Illum Wikkelsø Leather Lounge Chair for Aarhus
By Illum Wikkelsø, Aarhus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in 1958 by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø for Aarhus, this lounge chair features the original leather upholstery and stunning rosewood frame. The model 451 lounge chair's fr...
Leather, Rosewood
Illum Wikkelsø for N. Eilersen rare Side Chair "24GT" in Teak
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Handewitt, DE
Rare side cheir model "24GT" early 1960s by Illum Wikkelsø for N. Eilersen Denmark 1959. Made in solid teak. Seat in woven cane. Note: The covering would need to be redone.We can do...
Cane, Teak
$3,300
H 27 in W 31.5 in D 29 in
Classic pair Illum Wikkelsø Ringstol Lounge Chairs Scandinavian Modern Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning matched pair Ringstol Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, woven wicker seats and backs ..All original and untouched.wonderful original pat...
Wicker, Wood
$3,500
H 28.5 in W 28.75 in D 28.25 in
Rare Illum Wikkelso for N Eilersen Woven Lounge Chair Danish Modern
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare ILLUM WIKKELSO for Niels Eilersen woven lounge chair. original paper cord on seat and back
Rope, Wood
$1,133
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
$7,699 / set
H 24.81 in W 25.6 in D 24.41 in
Pair of Danish Lounge Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø for Holger Christiansen, 1962
By Illum Wikkelsø, Finn Juhl, Holger Christiansen
Located in Berlin, DE
A beautiful rare pair of lounge chairs, designed by Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Holger Christiansen in the 1960ies. Both chairs are in very good original condition with just ...
Leather, Wood
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
$7,699
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
$4,200
H 315 in W 27 in D 30 in
Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chair In Teak and Oak for Søren Willadsen, Denmark 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and rare easy chair in oak and teak for Soren Willladsen from the 1950's. Curved armrests in teak sweeping around the sides and back of the chair. Legs and frame made from so...
Wool, Teak
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 27.17 in D 27.96 in
Midcentury Leather Swing Chair by Illum Wikkelso, Denmark, 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Belmont, MA
Illum Wikkelsø (1919-1999) for Mikael Laursen, easy chair model no.103, in cognac leather and teak. Made in Denmark in the late 1950s. The leather is attached to the wood frame of t...
Leather, 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
$8,250
H 31.5 in W 39.77 in D 40.75 in
Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler 'Apollo' Lounge Chair in Leather
By Illum Wikkelsø, Ryesberg Møbler
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler, lounge chair model 'Apollo', leather, lacquered wood, Denmark, 1970s This distinctive lounge chair by Illum Wikkelsø is of high-quality both in t...
Leather, Wood
Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chair in Blue Upholstery
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, lounge chair, fabric, teak, Denmark, 1950s Comfortable lounge chair by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø. The shape of the chair is characterized by the high backrest t...
Fabric, Teak
Illum Wikkelsø 'Ox' Lounge Chair in Sheepskin
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, 'Ox' lounge chair, sheepskin, wood, Denmark, 1960s An exquisitely designed easy chair upholstered in sheepskin by esteemed Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø, this 'Ox C...
Sheepskin, Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 19.69 in D 18.9 in
Set of 10 original vintage side chairs by Illum Vikkelsø, Denmark.
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in København K, DK
Unique and large set of 10 side chairs in rosewood, rattan and new leather. Designed by Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by CFC Silkeborg, Denmark.
Leather, Rattan, Rosewood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 24.02 in D 20.48 in
Armchair in Solid Oak by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1950s
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Antwerp, BE
Armchair in solid oak designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1950s. This sculptural chair is professionally re-upholsterd in a high quality forest green fabric...
Fabric, Oak