Danish architect and industrial designer Steen Østergaard was decades ahead of his time with his futuristic Space Age designs. Through his innovative chairs, tables and other furniture, Østergaard elevated Scandinavian modern design during the mid-20th century.
Born in 1935, Østergaard studied furniture design and architecture at the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen in 1957, graduating with honors in 1960. That same year, he won first prize in furniture design at the Danish Upholstery Guild’s annual awards, presented at Copenhagen’s Designmuseum Danmark.
From 1962 to 1965, Østergaard worked in the studio of revered furniture designer and architect Finn Juhl before establishing his own firm. Østergaard’s watershed moment came in 1968 when he created the iconic Cado 290 chair. Later produced in 1970 by Danish designer Poul Cadovius’s Cado company, the chair — a brilliant one-piece work of polyamide nylon reinforced with fiberglass by way of injection-molding — features an elegant form inspired by the stackable seats created by Danish designer Verner Panton, who started experimenting with the concept of single-piece plastic chairs in the late 1950s. However, unlike the revolutionary Panton chair, Østergaard’s design includes optional cushions that can be affixed directly onto the chair’s frame.
Another of Østergaard’s exemplary seating pieces is the President Meteor lounge chair designed in 1968 as part of Cado’s A-Line collection. The indoor and outdoor chair was originally produced in six colors — beige, brown, green, white, red and blue — and incorporates a molded plastic frame with a deep, upholstered seat. The lounge chair appeared in the original Star Trek television series and film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and was used at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Østergaard is also known for furnishings such as his molded plastic dining room chairs, patio and garden furniture and ergonomic club chairs. In 1981, he designed and constructed the first Action Recliner chair, which included a built-in footrest, a piece now replicated around the world.
Østergaard’s furniture has been featured in exhibitions throughout Europe and the United States, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Deutsches Museum in Munich and Designmuseum Danmark.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Steen Østergaard chairs and other furniture.
Three-Seater Sofa Model "Senior" in Rio Rosewood and Original Black Leather
By Steen Ostergaard, Jason Møbler
Located in Lejre, DK
Three seater sofa designed by Steen Østergaard for Jason Møbler in the 1960s. Crafted with frame in Rio rosewood and original black leather upholstery. The model features clean lines...
Leather, Rosewood
$16,000
H 35.4 in W 86.6 in D 31.5 in
Brazilian Modern Three-Seat Leather Sofa in Rosewood & Leather, Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural three-seat sofa designed by Jean Gillon in the 1970s, executed in solid Brazilian rosewood (jacarandá) and black leather—an iconic expression of Brazilian Modernism at i...
Leather, Hardwood
1960s Danish Three-Seat Sofa in Cognac Leather and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Three-seat sofa, leather, wood, Denmark, ca. 1960. This modest and comfortable three-seat sofa exhibits characteristics reminiscent of Borge Mogensen's design. The vibrant aestheti...
Leather, Wood
Kaare Klint Sofa, three seater, model 6092
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint sofa in green wool with white stripes. Legs of mahogany. Made by Rud Rasmussen, model 6092.
Wool, Mahogany
$16,000
H 29 in W 82.5 in D 30 in
Fabricius & Kastholm Three-Seater Sofa with Original Patinated Brown Leather
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Longmont, CO
Fabricius & Kastholm three-seater sofa in original brown leather. It is rare to find in brown leather such as this. Patinated leather cushions with leather wrapped arms. Brushed ...
Stainless Steel
Percival Lafer Mid-Century Three-Seat Sofa in Black Leather, 1958
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Percival Later three seat sofa in black leather. This beautiful piece of Brazilian Mid century is in good vintage condition with minimal wear and scuffing throughout. The foam interi...
Steel
$13,999
H 29 in W 89 in D 39 in
Vintage Percival Lafer MP-211 Three Seat Sofa in Original Leather c 1960
Located in Portland, OR
Rare Percival Lafer three-seat sofa in Brazilian rosewood wood with all original leather upholstery. In his unique designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort as well as a dr...
Leather, Rosewood
Danish Three Seat Sofa in Umber Leather and Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, mahogany, Denmark, 1960s This model evokes the timeless elegance of Borge Mogensen's designs. With three spacious seats, it provides ample room for relaxation. The we...
Leather, Mahogany
$15,500
H 30 in W 82 in D 38 in
French Art Deco Three Seat Sofa with "Moustache" Backrest in Black Leather.
Located in Kansas City, MO
This black leather French Art Deco sofa is characterized by the central undulating curve on the backrest, which is traditionally referred to as a "Moustache back." This sofa feature...
Leather
1970s 3-Seater Sofa in Black Leather, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good condition with minor signs of use - The sides parts were newly reupholstered in very similar black leather - Cleaned
Leather
$11,396 / item
H 29.93 in W 86.62 in D 37.8 in
Børge Mogensen Model 2213 Three-Seat Sofa, Leather, Danish Design
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen three-seat sofa new upholstered with walnut elegance aniline leather. Legs of teak. Model 2213, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Leather
2018 Florence Knoll Three Seat Sofa in Black Leather
By Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a classic Three Seat Sofa, Model 1205S3, initially designed by Florence Knoll in the United States in 1954. This example was produced by Knoll in 2018. It features smooth, tu...
Leather, Foam
$9,686
H 30.71 in W 72.84 in D 29.53 in
Sofa in Rosewood and Original Black Leather by Ole Wanscher, 1951
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Rosewood and Original Black Leather by Ole Wanscher, 1951 Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and original black leather Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare sofa mo...
Rosewood, Leather
C. 2008 Cassina LC2 Petit Modele Three Seat Sofa in Black Leather
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an LC2 petit modele 3-seater sofa, designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand. This example was produced circa 2008 b...
Steel, Chrome
$5,242
H 28.75 in W 70.87 in D 29.93 in
Hans J. Wegner Model 290 Three-Seat Sofa, Black Oak, Leather, 1970
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner three-seat sofa made of new laquered black oak. New upholstered with vintage aniline leather. Model 290, made by GETAMA.
Oak, Leather
Hans J. Wegner, Three-Seat Sofa, Model 290, Oak
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner three-seat sofa made of black lacquered oak. Upholstered with striped fabric. Model 290, made by GETAMA.
Wool, Oak