Nanna Ditzel was the most versatile and creative female designer that Denmark produced in the 20th century. Ditzel brought her talents to bear on a staggering array of forms — she designed furniture, jewelry, tableware and textiles; and she shaped her pieces using an equally astonishing variety of materials, from wood and wicker to silver, ceramics and fiberglass.
Born in Copenhagen, she trained as a cabinetmaker at the Royal Academy's furniture school — overseen by the great craftsman of the day, Kaare Klint — and graduated in 1943. Ditzel’s early work adhered to the classic Danish modernist tenets of simplicity, comfort and quality, and her armchairs, with their softly curved backrests are much in the spirit of Hans Wegner. Ditzel’s signature piece of that time is her Ring chair. Designed along with her husband, Jørgen Ditzel, a fabric maker, the chair has a semicircular padded armrest that seems to embrace the sitter. Ditzel began designing in wicker and in 1959 produced the Hanging chair. The piece, suspended from the ceiling by a chain, became a favorite for fashion shoots and may be as iconic of the 1960s as Eero Aarnio’s plastic Ball chair of 1963.
In 1956, Ditzel began designing for the Danish silverware firm Georg Jensen. In an association that lasted some 40 years, Ditzel would create organically shaped jewelry, barware, ceramic tableware and even tablecloths. Like her fellow Dane Verner Panton, Ditzel was not afraid to embrace industrial materials, and she began designing fiberglass chairs in the mid-1960s. Some of her most flamboyant work came toward the end of her career, in pieces such as 1989’s Bench for Two, with its shocking Op-art finish, or the Trinidad chair of 1992, with it’s sunburst-like, cut-though backs. Such feats of creativity were a fitting coda to one of the most imaginative, prolific and remarkable women of modern design.
Nanna Ditzel Freestanding Sofa by Knud Willadsen in Denmark
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare freestanding desk designed by Nanna Ditzel. Produced by Knud Willadsen in Denmark.
Fabric, Oak
Nanna Ditzel & Illum Wikkelsø Sofa by Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik
By Illum Wikkelsø, Nanna Ditzel
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare sofa designed by Nanna Ditzel & Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik in Denmark. Matching pair of easy chairs in also available.
Steel
$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 Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik, Illum Wikkelsø
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
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
$3,847
H 26.5 in W 30 in D 26 in
Nanna Ditzel for Søren Willadsen ND83 Mid Century Danish Lounge Chair
By Nanna Ditzel, Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Nanna Ditzel for Søren Willadsen ND83 Mid Century Danish Lounge Chair This chair measures: 30 wide x 26 deep x 26.5 high, with a seat height of 15.5 and arm height/chair clearance o...
Upholstery, Wood
$11,000
H 38.19 in W 57.88 in D 31.11 in
Nanna Ditzel "Bench for Two" for Fredericia Stolefabrik, Denmark 1989
By Fredericia Stolefabrik, Nanna Ditzel
Located in Utrecht, NL
Nanna Ditzel (1923-2005) was commonly known as 'The Grand Dame of Danish Design'. She was among the most influential and significant Danish designers of the 20th Century. Some of her...
Plywood, Wood
Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
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
$4,500
H 26.5 in W 84 in D 26.5 in
Nanna Ditzel Style Four Seat Sculptural Teak Sofa Mid-Century Danish Modern
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Scandinavian modern four seat sofa with sculpted teak arms and substantial solid teak legs, made by Pi Langlos Fabrikker- often attributed to Nanna Ditzel. ...
Teak, Upholstery
$5,542
H 26.78 in W 23.23 in D 20.48 in
Sculptural Nanna Ditzel Teak Armchair, Model 113, Kolds Savvaerk, Denmark, 1950s
By Kolds Savvaerk, Nanna Ditzel
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare armchair was designed by Nanna Ditzel and produced by Povl Kolds Savværk in the mid-1950s. The Model 113 is an important example of Danish Mid-Century Modern design, ...
Papercord, Teak
$9,639
H 29.53 in W 31.89 in D 29.53 in
Early Nanna Ditzel 'Basket chair' for Ludvig Pontoppidan, Denmark, 1950
By Ludvig Pontoppidan, Nanna Ditzel
Located in Copenhagen, DK
First edition Nanna Ditzel 'Basket' easy chair with frame of teak, upholstered with wicker. Designed by Nanna Ditzel for Ludvig Pontoppidan, Denmark, 1950's with makers mark. Very...
Cane, Teak
$4,217
H 35.83 in W 25.99 in D 21.66 in
Danish Modern Armchair by Nanna Ditzel in Oak and Patinated Leather, 1950s
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Odense, DK
Rare armchair in oak and nicely patinated black leather. Designed by Nanna Ditzel for Copenhagen county court. This example is only made in a few examples and therefore a rare collectible item. Documented by a Danish auction house Bruun Rasmussen.
Leather, Oak
$2,650
H 31.89 in W 64.97 in D 30.32 in
1970s, Danish drop-arm daybed/sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, furniture wool.
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish drop arm daybed/sofa by Illum Wikkelsø. Original orange/red furniture wool, furniture mesh, springs in the seat. Original very good condi...
Wool, Rattan, Beech
Nanna Ditzel Dining Set
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An incredible rare dining set designed by Nanna Ditzel for Domus Danica, circa 1969 A set of 4 untouched dining chairs with a rare vinyl upholstery and a large dining table. M...
Fiberglass
Rare Modular Leather Sofa Set by Illum Wikkelsø
By Ryesberg Møbler, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Illum Wikkelsø Manufacturer: Ryesberg Møbler Era: 1970 Materials: Leather Condition: In excellent original condition.
Leather
Nanna Ditzel Danish Modern Sofa, Soren Willadsen, 1950s
By Finn Juhl, Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik, Hans J. Wegner, Nanna Ditzel
Located in Raleigh, NC
This exquisite Danish Modern sofa represents the pioneering vision of Nanna Ditzel, one of Denmark's most celebrated female furniture designers, expertly crafted by the renowned wor...
Upholstery, Oak
Nanna Ditzel two seater sofa in Hallingdal and oak, Model ND82
By Nanna Ditzel, Snedkergaarden
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Nanna Ditzel for Snedkergaarden, two seat sofa model ND82, oak, original upholstered with red Hallingdal from Kvadrat, Denmark, 1952.
Wool, Oak
Sold
H 27.96 in W 74.02 in D 28.75 in
Nanna Ditzel Vintage Sofa by Søren Willadsen in New Wool Upholstery
By Nanna Ditzel, Søren Willadsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare and iconic Nanna Ditzel sofa for Søren Willadsen, designed and manufactured in the 1950s. New reupholstered in green wool with brandy coloured full grain anilin leather seat ...
Leather, Wool, Oak
Superb Midcentury Curved Sofa or Sette Nanna Ditzel
By Nanna Ditzel, Finn Juhl, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Nanna Ditzel petite Allé Sofa Beautiful Danish two seat loose cushion sofa with graceful lines. Comfortable and petite. Fabric brand new of the highest quality fabric and fill. ...
Upholstery, Wood
Nanna Ditzel Alle Sofa for S.C. Sorensen
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Dallas, TX
A leather Alle sofa designed by Nanna Ditzel for S.C. Sorensen, Denmark.
Leather
Nanna Ditzel Vintage Sofa by Søren Willadsen in New Wool Upholstery
By Nanna Ditzel, Søren Willadsen
Located in Littleton, CO
A rare and iconic Nanna Ditzel sofa for Søren Willadsen, designed and manufactured in the 1950s. Recently reupholstered in luxuriously soft premium...
Wool, Oak
Sold
H 28 in W 74 in D 29 in
Rare Danish Modern Sofa Designed by Nanna Ditzel. Produced by Willadsen, C1952
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Bernville, PA
Rare Danish modern sofa designed by Nanna Ditzel. Produced by Willadsen C1952. Simple designed sofa with original off-white fabric and light oak finish frame. Dimensions 74 inches wi...
Fabric, Oak
Rare Nanna Ditzel Sofa, 1949
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A very rare Nanna Ditzel sofa designed 1949 and executed at cabinetmaker Knud Willadsen, Denmark. Legs of stained wood, upholstered with fabric.
Fabric, Beech
Nanna Ditzel Sofa, 1950
By Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik, Nanna Ditzel
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
A very beautiful sofa ND 82. Reupholstered in a Pierre Frey wool fabric. The teak is in very good condition with nice patina.
Fabric, Teak
Nanna Ditzel, Three-Seat Sofa for Søren Willadsen, 1952
By Nanna Ditzel, Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik
Located in Paris, FR
Very beautiful and rare three-seat sofa designed by Nanna Ditzel in 1952. Danish manufacture by Søren Willadsen. Newly upholstered with high quality yellow fabric by the French hous...
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Nanna Ditzel Daybed
By Nanna Ditzel, Kolds Savvaerk
Located in London, GB
Vintage daybed designed by Nanna Ditzel and manufactured by Kolds Savværk, Denmark, 1960s. Made out of solid oregon pine it has a foldable mattress reupholstered in off-white canvas...
Pine
Nanna Ditzel Children's Bed and Sofa
By Nanna Ditzel, Kolds Savvaerk
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Nanna Ditzel children's bed and sofa of Oregon pine mounted with loose blue cushions. Designed in 1964 to function as a multifunctional furniture, made by Kold Savvaerk, Denmark.