Svend Åge Madsen’s sleek and simple hardwood furniture captures the essence of Scandinavian modern style. Although an influential mid-century modern Danish designer, not much is known about Madsen today. However, his desks, armchairs and credenzas speak to his mastery of material and form.
Madsen began designing in the late 1950s and was most prolific in the 1960s. Many well-known Danish cabinetmakers and manufacturers produced his furniture, including K. Knudsen & Son, H.P. Hansen, Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Karl Lindegaard and Moreddi.
Madsen used woods with qualities of warmth and richness such as walnut, teak and rosewood. His distinctive designs are characterized by curving and sloping forms, giving each piece a natural and organic appeal. While he rarely used decorative embellishments, the bowed surfaces, arching drawers and legs shaped like boomerangs added a visual flair.
Madsen was best known for his sculptural writing desks. Many of his desk designs have an eye-catching curved surface that gives the desktop a concave appearance. They often feature tapered legs — a hallmark of mid-century modern style — and generous drawers for stationary and other objects. Deep wood finishes and visible wood grain add to the charm of these sturdy pieces.
Madsen’s beautiful 1960s dining chairs are still highly sought-after by collectors today. The teak chairs have high and angled backrests which lend some sculptural elegance and provide ergonomic support. A low-profile upholstered cushion and clean lines give the chairs an understated style and fantastic versatility.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Svend Åge Madsen tables, cabinets, seating and more.
Nesting Tables in Teak, Oak & Intarsia by Svend Aage Madsen, Denmark, 1950s
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Odense, DK
Rare set of nesting tables designed by Svend Aage Madsen and produced by Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik in Denmark in the 1950s. Oak frames and teakwood top with handmade intarsia of star...
Teak, Oak
Svend Aage Madsen Teak Desk with Bookcase, Danish Modern, 1960
By Svend Åge Madsen, Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen teak desk with front bookcase. Desk has a slight graceful curve with a rolled edge to the back of the desk. Beautiful size and scale! Legs are exp...
Teak
$2,550
H 18.12 in W 59.06 in D 11.82 in
Nesting Tables in Teak Designed by Kurt Østervig for Jason, Denmark
By Kurt Østervig, Jason Møbler
Located in Goteborg, SE
These nesting tables were designed by Kurt Østervig in 1956 and produced by Jason Møbler in Ringsted, Denmark. The model is called model 200 and they are made of teak with legs in be...
Teak
Monumental Scandinavian Coffee Table by Svend Aage Madsen
By Karl Lindegaard, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this beautiful teak coffee table spanning 71''. Designed by Svend Aage Madsen for Karl Lindegaard. In wonderful original condition with a warm patina and re...
Teak
$3,355
H 28.35 in Dm 44.89 in
Round Oak Dining Table by Svend Aage Madsen for K. Knudsen, Denmark, 1960s
By Svend Åge Madsen, K. Knudsen & Son
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Elegant round dining table designed by renowned Danish designer Svend Aage Madsen and produced by K. Knudsen in the early 1960s. A fine example of functional Danish Modern design, th...
Oak
$6,500
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 59.06 in
Midcentury Danish Design Desk in Teak by Svend Aage Madsen, 1950s
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking desk in teak with cane details on the frame and the handles. Designed by Svend Aage Madsen. Made in Denmark in the 1950s. Nice original condition.
Cane, Teak
$1,318
H 20.48 in W 22.45 in D 14.57 in
Nesting Tables in Teak by Severin Hansen for Haslev Møbelfabrik, 1950s, Set of 3
By Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Severin Hansen
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Elegant pair of nesting tables designed by Severin Hansen and produced by Haslev Møbelfabrik in the 1950s. This is the early model featuring Hansen’s signature tall, slender legs and...
Teak
$683
H 17.13 in W 18.12 in D 15.36 in
Set Of Nesting Tables Made In Teak By Furniture Intarsia From 1960s
By Mobelintarsia
Located in Lejre, DK
The set of nesting tables in teak manufactured by "Moebelintarsia" is a fine example of Danish design from the 1960s. Danish design from that era is known for its emphasis on craftsm...
Teak
Danish Teak Nesting Tables Mid-Century Denmark
By Nordisk Andels-Eksport
Located in Baltimore, MD
Set of three Mid-Century Modern nesting tables by Nordisk Andels Eksport made in Denmark. Exceptionally well crafted. Undersides of the tables are channeled so that the tables hook to one another when nested, forming an attractive cube like profile. The wood grain is naturally highlighted in a teak pattern throughout, with a rich teak tone, top surface of each one, is in good condition. Stacked set of three tables for easy storage. Individual tables are in varying sizes – large, medium and small. Measurements correspond to the Largest of the Nesting Tables. Great vintage condition, retains original label on the underside: (Nordisk Andels Eksport). Modern Danish Style, Mid-Century Modern retro nesting...
Teak
$6,650
H 30.32 in W 40.95 in D 27.56 in
Svend Aage Madsen Model "200" Desk for Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Denmark 1950s
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Utrecht, NL
Firm believers in Functionalism, Danish designers and cabinetmakers avoided short-lived aesthetic trends, instead they concentrated on crafting with quality materials. This model "20...
Wood
Hans Wegner Nesting Tables in Teak by Andreas Tuck in Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of nesting tables designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by Andreas Tuck in Denmark.
Oak, Teak
$952 / set
H 20.87 in W 22.05 in D 14.18 in
Vintage Danish Teak Nesting Tables by Erling Torvits for Heltborg Møbler 1950s.
By Erling Torvits, Heltborg Møbler
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Teak Nesting Tables by Erling Torvits for Heltborg Møbler Denmark 1950s. Set of three Danish Mid-Century Modern Model...
Teak
Three Stacking or Nesting Danish Teak Tables
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in New York, NY
Nice clean original, nesting tables made in Denmark. Extremely minor scratch on larger table, set in basically mint condition. Dimensions in listing are for the larger table.
Teak
Sold
H 20.48 in W 21.66 in D 14.18 in
Svend Aage Madsen Nesting Tables Produced by Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare nesting tables designed by Svend Aage Madsen. Produced by Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Oak, Teak
Sold
H 20.08 in W 21.66 in D 14.18 in
Scandinavian Modern, Nesting Tables in Teak by Svend Aage Madsen, 1950s
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Odense, DK
Rare set of Nesting Tables designed by Svend Aage Madsen and produced by Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik in Denmark in the 1950s. Teak wood with stylish inlays of stars and circles.
Teak
Sold
H 20.48 in W 21.66 in D 14.18 in
Svend Aage Madsen Nesting Tables by Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare nesting tables designed by Svend Aage Madsen. Produced by Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Oak, Teak
Svend Madsen Teak and Oak Nesting Tables
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Berkeley, CA
Set of absolutely gorgeous Danish modern mid century nesting tables in teak and oak designed by Svend Madsen. With old growth, rich grain throughout the teak tops, these tables floa...
Oak, Teak
Three Svend Madsen For Karl Lindegaard Teak Nesting Tables
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of three teak nesting tables designed by Svend Madsen and made by Karl Lindegaard in Denmark. We also have a matching coffee and end table available on 1stdibs.
Teak