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.
Danish folding teak rolling table by Svend Aage Madsen for Illums Bolhigus 1960.
By Illums Bolighus, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Adorable Scandinavian rolling table. A large top. It folds in one movement for easy storage thanks to a clever all-wood rail. Sleek design, beautifully crafted. Designer: Svend Aage...
Teak
$10,340
H 28.75 in W 27.56 in D 39.77 in
Danish Rosewood Desk by Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen Writing Table
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Uxbridge, GB
We have for sale a very elegant rosewood writing table by Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen c1958. This is a really nice, really well made piece. The piece was originally designed ...
Rosewood
$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
Rosewood Desk by Svend Aage Madsen for H.P. Hansen, 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
This stunning rosewood desk, designed by Svend Åge Madsen for H.P. Hansen in the 1960s, features exquisite craftsmanship and an extraordinary design. While it shows some patina, it r...
Rosewood
$2,347 / set
H 28.5 in W 48 in D 48 in
Svend A. Madsen Mid Century Danish Teak Round Dining Table with 1 Leaf
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Svend A. Madsen Mid Century Danish Teak Round Dining Table with 1 Leaf The table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 27.5 inches; the leaf is 24 inche...
Teak
$6,516
H 30.32 in W 40.16 in D 27.56 in
Svend Aage Madsen desk with drawers produced by Sigurd Hansen, Denmark, 1958
By Svend Åge Madsen, Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A small desk with two drawers in ash wood and Formica, Danish production, designed by Svend Aage Madsen and produced by Sigurd Hansen, 1958. Despite its compact size, this desk refl...
Formica, Ash
$2,295 / set
H 18.63 in W 19.5 in D 29.38 in
Danish Teak End Tables by Svend Madsen, 1960s Modern Design
By Karl Lindegaard, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Exquisite pair of large Danish teak end tables by Svend Åge Madsen for Karl Lindegaard, circa 1960s. These sculptural Mid-Century Modern pieces embody the elegance and restraint of f...
Teak
$3,317
H 28.75 in W 45.28 in D 45.28 in
Round Teak Dining Table with Butterfly Extension by Svend Aage Madsen, 1960s
By K. Knudsen & Son, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Round teak dining table by renowned Danish designer Svend Aage Madsen, produced by K. Knudsen in the early 1960s, is a classic example of functional Danish Modern furniture. Crafted...
Teak
$1,900
H 16.25 in W 71 in D 23 in
Danish Mid-Century Two-Tier Teak Coffee Table by Svend Aage Madsen for Karl Lind
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique vintage teak coffee table makes a substantial addition to any interior. At almost six feet long this impressive Danish Modern coffee table features tapered legs, shapely ...
Teak
$8,885
H 28.35 in W 68.31 in D 45.28 in
Dining Table in Rosewood and Brass by Svend Aage Madsen, 1960's
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Dining Table in Rosewood and Brass by Svend Aage Madsen, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and brass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by K. Knudsen & Søn in...
Brass
$3,198 / set
H 21.26 in W 23.63 in D 17.33 in
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
$1,303
H 20.08 in W 34.65 in D 24.02 in
Danish Modern Svend Langkilde Butlers Tray of Teak with Brass Fittings, 1960s
By Svend Langkilde
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Butlers tray designed by Svend Langkilde made of teak with oil treatment and with hinges and parts of the under frame of brass. It is possible to use the tray separately, as the tra...
Brass
$9,000
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 59.06 in
Danish Teak and Cane Desk by Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik
Located in New York, NY
Danish teak and cane desk designed by Svend Aage Madsen and produced by Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik. This desk features a beautifully executed curved design. On the opposite side, ther...
Cane, Teak