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.
Midcentury Stool Designed by Illum Wikkelsø, 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Lejre, DK
Ottoman reupholstered with sheepskin. Designed by Danish architect Illum Wikkelsø. Great condition.
Sheepskin, Oak
Illum Wikkelsø Stool Model 91 Produced by Michael Laursen in Aarhus, Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool model 91 designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Michael Laursen in Aarhus, Denmark.
Fabric, Wool, Rosewood
$2,157
H 17.33 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Vintage Midcentury Alvar Aalto stool, model "Y61", Finland, 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely stool by Alvar Aalto, model “Y 61”. Made from birch with flowing lines, wreathed rattan seat.
Rattan, Birch
$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
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
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
"Capella" armchairs Illum Wikkelsø Denmark 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of rosewood and leather armchairs with capitonné upholstered seat. "Capella" model by Illum Wikkelsø, Denmark 1960s. Pair of "Capella" model armchairs designed by Illum Wikkels...
Leather, Rosewood
$6,279
H 14.57 in W 19.69 in D 14.97 in
Midcentury Modern Leather Stools, Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant stools by Josef Frank, made from mahogany with elegantly sculpted feet. Cognac brown leather with decorative nails around the joinery of the legs.
Leather, Mahogany
$1,495
H 27.96 in W 29.14 in D 25.6 in
1970s, Danish design by Illum Wikkelsø, armchair model "Plexus", teak wood.
By Illum Wikkelsø, CFC Silkeborg
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish design by Illum Wikkelsø. Armchair model "Plexus". Laqered teak wood, flowers furniture fabric, furniture mesh. Original very good condition: no smells, no stains and s...
Fabric, Rattan, Teak
Low Stool by Charlotte Perriand, Mahogany, Modern Design, 1950s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare low stool in mahogany with three tapered legs by Charlotte Perriand. France, circa 1950s. One stool remains available. Price reflects for one stool.
Mahogany
$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
$6,200
H 35 in W 34.25 in D 32.5 in
Model ML91 Swivel Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Mikael Laursen, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare Illum Wikkelso designed swivel model ML91 lounge chair produced by A. Mikael Laursen circa 1960 in Denmark. This is rare variant of the ML91 with an aluminum swivel base where t...
Aluminum
$4,800 / set
H 32.5 in W 15.5 in D 17.75 in
Erih Buch Bar Stools Model OD-61 Produced by O. D. Mobler in Denmark
By O.D. Møbler A-S, Erik Buch
Located in Dallas, TX
Danish industrial designer Erik Buch (pronounced Buck) was born in 1923 in Copenhagen. Buch used simple organic, smooth lines to craft distinctive mid-century modern designs. Like many of his Danish contemporaries, Buch combined fabric, and leather with nicely grained woods, such as polished teak, oak, and rosewood. Buch first found success with his now-iconic Model 49 chair...
Upholstery, Oak, Rosewood
Illum Wikkelsø, Pair of Danish Armchairs, 1958
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Pair of Danish armchairs model N°450 designed by Illum Wikkelsø in 1958 and produced by Aarhus Polstrermøbelfabrik, Denmark. Excellent condition. Original pieces from t...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
Vintage Danish Capella Stool by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in London, GB
A stunning Danish Capella stool by Illum Wikkelso. This was made in Denmark in the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding, the solid wooden frame is beautifully constructed and has gorg...
Leather, Wood
Illum Wikkelsø, Stool, Wood, Shearling, Denmark, 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood and beige shearling stool or ottoman designed and produced by Illum Wikkelsø, Denmark, 1950s.
Sheepskin, Wood
Illum Wikkelsø, Stool, Shearling, Teak, Denmark, 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and beige shearling stool or ottoman designed and produced by Illum Wikkelsø, Denmark, 1950s.
Sheepskin, Teak
Sold
H 34.26 in W 37.8 in D 37.41 in
Easy Chair and Stool in Rosewood with Brown Leather by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960's
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy Chair and Stool in Rosewood with Brown Leather by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and original brown leather Style: Mid century, Scandinavian ...
Rosewood, Leather
Sold
H 11.03 in W 24.02 in D 21.66 in
Scandinavian Modern Teak & Red Lacquered Stool / Side Table by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful Scandinavian Modern side table or stool by Danish architect Illum Wikkelsø. The stool is made from red lacquered wood and teakwood and features a big upholstered cushion in...
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 16.54 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Midcentury Stool Model V11 in Leather and Rosewood, Designed by Illum Wikkelsø
By Illum Wikkelsø, Holger Christiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Stool in patinated leather, designed by Illum Wikkelsø and made by Holger Christiansen. Great original condition.
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Illum Wikkelsø Danish Armchair in White Fabric
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Knebel, DK
Large comfortable Illum Wikkelsø armchair from the 1960s in good condition. As for all of our upholstered items we will be happy to give you an offer for reupholstery to your wishes...
Fabric
Illum Wikkelsø Capella easy chair with stool by Niels Eilersen in Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy chair and stool model Capella designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Niels Eilersen in Denmark. Rosewood frame with newly reupholstered beige leather. Matching 3-seat and 2-sea...
Rosewood, Leather