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 Mid-Century Lounge Chair with Oak Frame
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 Lounge Chair, Leather & Rosewood, Mid-Century, 1958
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
Model 103 Lounge chair, Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
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
$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 Ryesberg Møbler, Illum Wikkelsø
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
$7,536 / 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, Holger Christiansen, Finn Juhl
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
$2,450
H 34 in W 27.25 in D 28 in
Mid-Century Spanish Moorish Lounge Chair, Oak Frame, Leather, Brass Studs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair blends Mid-Century design with Spanish Moorish influences through its distinctive leather and oak construction. The sturdy oak frame features high armrests that define t...
Leather, Oak
$5,995 / set
H 32 in W 29 in D 29 in
Illum Wikkelsø for CFC Silkeborg MCM Danish Rosewood Genius Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Illum Wikkelsø, CFC Silkeborg
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Illum Wikkelsø for CFC Silkeborg Mid Century Danish Rosewood Genius Lounge Chairs - Pair Each lounge chair measures: 29 wide x 29 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm he...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Pair of High Back "Capella" Lounge Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A pair of rosewood "Capella" series lounge chairs designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen. The unique armrest inlay is a highlight of the design. Original fabric cushions attac...
Upholstery, Wood
$15,908 / set
H 31.5 in W 39.77 in D 40.75 in
Illum Wikkelsø “Apollo” Modular Lounge Chairs with Ottoman
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Kastrup, DK
Exclusive and rare lounge set designed by Illum Wikkelsø, consisting of two “Apollo” lounge chairs and a matching ottoman. Produced by Ryesberg Møbler in Denmark in the 1970s, this s...
Leather, Plywood
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
$1,109
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
$10,986
H 33.08 in W 33.86 in D 30.71 in
V11 - Lounge chair w. stool in buffalo leather by Illum Wikkelsø
By Holger Christiansen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Model V11 - Lounge chair in patinated buffalo leather and tapered legs in Brazilian rosewood. Designed in 1965 by Illum Wikkelsø.
Leather, Rosewood
Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s
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
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 Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
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