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.
Dutch Vintage Set Pastoe 1960s Peg Chairs in Teak
By Yngve Ekström, Pastoe
Located in Renens, CH
A set of pegchairs designed by Yngve Ekstrom, sold by Pastoe, the Netherlands during the 1960s. Yngve Ekström trained like many of his peers as an architect. What made stand out however was his knowledge of wood and furniture construction, having worked from an early age in the Swedish wood furniture...
Teak
Three Swedish 1950s Cocktail "Circle" Chairs by Yngve Ekstrom for Swedese
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
Three beautiful 1950s Laminett Circle chairs by Swedish designer Yngve Ekstrom. Only one left! With striking hoop frames on tapered legs, the seat and backrest in original yellow linen fabric...
Beech
$3,200 / set
H 31.5 in W 18 in D 16 in
Kai Kristiansen Set of Four Dining Chairs in Teak for K.S. Mobler Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Niels Otto Møller, K.S. Mobler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic set of four dining chairs in teak with wool seats designed in the 1960s by Kai Kristiansen for K.S. Mobler of Denmark. The style of these Kai Kristiansen chairs is often mi...
Teak
$3,344Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 31.75 in W 18.25 in D 18.25 in
Set of 4 Kai Kristiansen for K.S. Møbler Teak Dining Chairs, Denmark, 1960s
By K.S. Mobler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant and refined set of four Danish Modern dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for K.S. Møbler, Denmark, circa 1960s. These beautifully proportioned chairs exemplify the ...
Papercord, Teak
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s-1960s Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French Mid-Century sculptural solid oak side chairs.
Oak
$1,579 / set
H 31.7 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
1960s Set of Four Danish Th. Harlev Dining Chairs in Teak and Beech by Farstrup
By Thomas Harlev, Farstrup
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 4 Th. Harlev dining chairs, model 210 - nicknamed "the smile" due to the shape of the backrest, manufactured by Farstrup Møbler in the 1960s. The chairs features a teak ba...
Beech, Teak
Lamino Longue Chair By Yngve Ekstrom For Swedese 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Čelinac, BA
Yngve Ekstrom Lamino Longue Chair for Swedese 1960s
Leather, Wood
Set of Two Yngve Ekstrom Lamino Chair For Swedese 1970s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Čelinac, BA
Yngve Ekstrom Lamino Longue Chairs For Swedese 1970s
Fabric, Teak
Lounge Chair by Fåtölj Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Yngve Ekström Lounge Chair – Sweden, 1960s A rare and characterful lounge chair designed by Yngve Ekström, a key figure of Scandinavian modernism. This particular version features a ...
Pine
Swedish Pine Daybed Sofa by Yngve Ekström for Swedese
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Constructed of full pine throughout. Reupholstered
Fabric, Pine
1960s Yngve Ekström Lamino for Swedese Chair
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Monrovia, CA
1960s Yngve Ekström Lamino chair for Swedese Scandinavian Modern design is stamped, Made In Sweden. A Scandinavian Modern Design of the 1960s by Yngv...
Brass
$5,580
H 24.02 in W 76.78 in D 38.59 in
Swedish Modern, Daybed by Gunnar Berggren & Yngve Ekström for Swedese, 1970s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful rare daybed made as a prototype by Gunnar Berggren & Yngve Ekström for Swedese in the 1970s. Crafted with a birchwood frame and chromed metal base, harmonizing the warmth...
Metal, Chrome
Vintage Danish Teak Dining Chairs 1960s, Set of 2
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak dining chairs 1960s, set of 2. Pair of Danish Mid-Century Modern side chairs in solid teak and reupholstered in off white Bouclé. Wide curved backrest with stunning joinery details. Round tapered legs in solid teak. The teak has wonderful dark and warm color with visible grain pattern. Very smooth to the touch. Seats have been reupholstered with new high density foam and very high quality Scandinavian Bouclé...
Bouclé, Teak
Vintage Alpine Swiss Chair Circa 1960s
Located in Germantown, MD
A stunning vintage alpine swiss side chair in solid Elm. This was made in Switzerland and date from circa 1960s. It is of amazing quality and has a bea...
Elm
Sold
H 25.99 in W 29.53 in D 22.05 in
Set of Two Beautiful Sculptural Lounge chairs "Arka" designed by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful set of two sculptural lounge chairs model "Arka" designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, Sweden 1955. It features wide elliptical seat and elegantly curved spindled backrest ...
Teak
Oak Armchair "Sibbo" by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, Sweden, 1950s
By Stolab, Yngve Ekström
Located in Karis, Nyland
Easy chair with oak frame and armrests. Model "Sibbo" designed by Yngve Ekstro¨m and manufactured in Sweden, circa 1950s. Good vintage condition, sturdy frame. Patina and normal age...
Oak
Sold
H 39.77 in W 27.56 in D 30.71 in
Lounge Lamino High-Back Chair and Stool by Yngve Ekström for Swedese
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Antwerp, BE
High back "Lamino" chair and footstool designed in 1956 by Yngve Ekström for Swedese Mobler. Chair is upholstered in its original sheep-skin olive green upholstery and in very good c...
Wool, Wood
Yngve Ekstrom Circle Chairs, a Pair
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Raleigh, NC
Vintage pair of circle chairs with shearling upholstery. A striking design by Yngve Ekstrom with birch frames.
Sheepskin, Birch
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Easy Chairs in Oak by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Pair of “Sibbo” easy chairs designed by Yngve Ekström in 1955. Manufactured in Sweden by Stolab during the 1960s. Made of solid oak, high quality in the making. Very good condition w...
Oak
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Pair of "Sibbo" Armchairs in Oak by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Pair of “Sibbo” easy chairs designed by Yngve Ekström in 1955. Manufactured in Sweden by Stolab during the 1960s. Made of solid oak, high quality in the making. Very good condition w...
Oak
Danish Modern Curve Chair
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Minneapolis, MN
The Curve chair (pronounced 'curva') is a predecessor to the Engve Ektrsom 'Lamino' chair. The curve chair has an elemental framework with the armrests in...
Mohair, Teak
Pair of Yngve Ekstrom Circle Chairs, Sweden, 1960
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice pair of black lacquered circle chairs designed by Yngve Ekstrom for Swedese, Sweden 1960. These chairs are fully restored back in to perfect condition, the black lacquer wa...
Wood, Leather