Skip to main content

Yngve Ekström Canapes

Swedish, 1913-1988

Vintage Yngve Ekström furniture embodies the beauty and simplicity of the Scandinavian modern style. The Swedish designer, architect and woodworker created clean-lined hardwood pieces with sophisticated details and flourishes. He was known for his comfortable lounge chair designs as well as chic cocktail tables and handsome highboard cabinets.

Ekström was born in 1913 in Småland, home to Sweden’s oldest furniture factory, Hagafors Stolfabrik. After his father died, he began working at the factory. In 1945, Ekström and his older brother, Jerker Ekström, opened ESE Möbler, a furniture company headquartered in their hometown. In 1952, they received acclaim for their innovative Thema chair. The laminated veneer chair was packed flat for easy shipping so customers could assemble it at home. Ekström followed it with the 1955 Arka chair for the furniture manufacturer Stolab. A spindle backrest and spacious curved seat gave the chair comfort and style.

Ekström’s most popular design was the 1956 Lamino chair. Still in production, the minimalist wooden-frame chair features a sinuous and inviting profile with a high backrest. Looking back at his well-loved design, Ekström said: “To have designed one good chair might not be a bad life’s work.”

After Ekström’s brother left the company, he changed the name to Swedese. Ekström sold Swedese in 1974, but continued to design for it until he died in 1988. His furniture is in museum collections around the world, including the National Museum in Stockholm, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Victoria & Albert museum in London. In 1999, Swedish design magazine Sköna Hems named the Lamino chair the “20th-Century’s Best Swedish Furniture Design.”

Swedese, which still occupies its original building in Småland, partnered with artist Kustaa Saksi in 2017 to update the iconic Lamino chair. 

On 1stDibs, find vintage Yngve Ekström seating, tables, storage cabinets and more.

to
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
105
43
28
28
27
Creator: Yngve Ekström
Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

$4,100 / set

Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

By Yngve Ekström, Charlotte Perriand, Sven Larsson

Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

Mid-century pine armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970 Mid-century brutalist solid pine lounge chair with new upholstery in it's original brown corduroy. Elegant design and great ...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Pine

Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

$5,200

Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

By Sven Larsson, Charlotte Perriand, Yngve Ekström

Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

Mid-century pine sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970. Mid-century brutalist solid pine lounge chair with new upholstery in it's original brown velvet. Elegant design and great comfor...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Related Items
17th Century Walnut Sofa
17th Century Walnut Sofa

17th Century Walnut Sofa

$8,131

H 45.67 in W 70.08 in D 31.5 in

17th Century Walnut Sofa

Located in Vosselaar, BE

A fine 17th century walnut Louis XIII canapé. The original frame was fully restored and newly upholstered by our workshop.

Category

17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Walnut

Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s
Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s

Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s

$1,989 / set

H 36.62 in W 48.43 in D 31.5 in

Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s

By Swedese, Yngve Ekström

Located in Basildon, London

Yngve Ekström was one of the most important figures in the evolution of the Scandinavian Modernism movement and co-founder of the furniture design company Swedese. This living room ...

Category

1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Pine

Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa

Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa

$50,629

H 37.8 in W 80.71 in D 22.05 in

Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa

Located in Brescia, IT

Mid-18th Century hand-carved 1750 Venetian Baroque walnut sofa, three-seat with armrests. Remarkable work by Venetian cabinetmakers. The 18th C...

Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Walnut, Silk

Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s

Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s

$2,200

H 29.73 in W 58.67 in D 31.5 in

Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s

By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen

Located in Odense, DK

A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless com...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Leather, Beech

Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s
Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s

Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s

$3,042

H 29.53 in W 81.11 in D 35.44 in

Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s

Located in Prato, IT

Mid-Century Modern Italian sofa with chrome back details and original velvet upholstery. Overall the sofa is in good vintage condition.  

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Chrome

1940s Mid-Century Sofa in the Biedermeier Style – Cherry & Burlwood
1940s Mid-Century Sofa in the Biedermeier Style – Cherry & Burlwood

1940s Mid-Century Sofa in the Biedermeier Style – Cherry & Burlwood

$19,500

H 36.25 in W 78 in D 26.5 in

1940s Mid-Century Sofa in the Biedermeier Style – Cherry & Burlwood

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An antique German Biedermeier sofa made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The particularized settee is composed with a slightly inclined backrest with wide, tall curved armrests, standing on four arched wooden...

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Cherry, Burl

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 3-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, Made in 1970s
Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 3-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, Made in 1970s

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 3-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, Made in 1970s

$3,200

H 28.94 in W 79.93 in D 33.86 in

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 3-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, Made in 1970s

By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen

Located in Odense, DK

A classic Danish Mordern 3-seater sofa in brown leather, feets made in solid beech. Simple lines and a great comfort featured in this sofa. Designed by Stouby Møbelfabrik, Denmark. M...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Leather, Beech

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s

$2,200

H 29.53 in W 56.3 in D 32.29 in

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s

By Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik

Located in Odense, DK

A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in brown leather, resting on legs made from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless comfort, the pie...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Leather, Beech

Yngve Ekström, rare sofa model Kontrapunkt for Swedese, circa 1970
Yngve Ekström, rare sofa model Kontrapunkt for Swedese, circa 1970

Yngve Ekström, rare sofa model Kontrapunkt for Swedese, circa 1970

$6,023

H 29.53 in W 68.9 in D 29.53 in

Yngve Ekström, rare sofa model Kontrapunkt for Swedese, circa 1970

By Yngve Ekström

Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län

Rare sofa model Kontrapunkt designed by Yngve Ekström produced by Swedese Möbler AB in Sweden in the 70's. The sofa is a two to three sites couch made in solid pine and a stripe blue...

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Pine

19th Century Swedish Sofa
19th Century Swedish Sofa

19th Century Swedish Sofa

$7,900

H 33.5 in W 74 in D 31 in

19th Century Swedish Sofa

Located in Chireno, TX

Gray painted Swedish sofa circa 1860. 19th century sofa beautifully hand-carved with exceptional decoration. Newly upholstered in off-white ticking with down-wrap cushion. Joined con...

Category

19th Century Swedish Louis XV Antique Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Upholstery, Down, Wood

Rare Mid-Century Modern Vintage Danish 3-seater Chocolate Leather Sofa, 1960s
Rare Mid-Century Modern Vintage Danish 3-seater Chocolate Leather Sofa, 1960s

Rare Mid-Century Modern Vintage Danish 3-seater Chocolate Leather Sofa, 1960s

$2,308Sale Price|20% Off

H 27.56 in W 70.87 in D 31.5 in

Rare Mid-Century Modern Vintage Danish 3-seater Chocolate Leather Sofa, 1960s

Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie

This three-seater sofa was made in Denmark during the 1960s. The sofa is completely upholstered in natural leather in a deep dark chocolate color. Comfortable, loosely placed cushion...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Leather, Wood

18th Century French Sofa
18th Century French Sofa

18th Century French Sofa

$4,200Sale Price|43% Off

H 43 in W 74 in D 34 in

18th Century French Sofa

Located in Nashville, TN

Carved frame sofa is upholstered in French gaufrage velvet.

Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Yngve Ekström canapes for sale on 1stDibs.

Yngve Ekström canapes are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original canapes by Yngve Ekström were created in the mid-century modern style in sweden during the 1950s. Prices for Yngve Ekström canapes can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,500 and can go as high as $4,650, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,075.

More Yngve Ekström Furniture

Yngve Ekström Lounge Chairs
Yngve Ekström Armchairs
Yngve Ekström Chairs
Yngve Ekström Dining Room Chairs
Yngve Ekström Sofas
Yngve Ekström Benches
Yngve Ekström Side Chairs
Yngve Ekström Stools
Yngve Ekström Footstools
Yngve Ekström Tables
Yngve Ekström Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Yngve Ekström Lighting
View All Popular Canapes Searches