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.
Yngve Ekström, Cabinets, Pine, Rattan, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine and rattan cabinets designed by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1960s. Dimensions: 39.25” H x 23.625” W x 14.5” D
Rattan, Pine
Cabinet in Teak, Beech, Brass and Rosewood by Yngve Ekström, 1950's
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Cabinet in Teak, Beech, Brass and Rosewood by Yngve Ekström, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Teak, beech, brass and rosewood Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Rare cabinet mo...
Brass
Cabinet “Bangkok” by Yngve Ekström for Westerbergs Möbler, Sweden, 1950s
By Gösta Westerberg Möbel AB, Yngve Ekström
Located in Staffanstorp, SE
Elegant Swedish cabinet model Bangkok, designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Westerbergs Möbler during the 1950s. Crafted in teak with beech details, this piece features Ekström’...
Beech, Teak
$10,900
H 42.52 in W 41.34 in D 16.93 in
Swedish Modern 1950s Cabinet with Antique Nordens Flora Decor
By Josef Frank
Located in Örebro, SE
A Swedish Modern 1950s cabinet in mahogany. It has been subsequently decorated with a botanical pattern featuring 52 illustrations from a Swedish antique botanical encyclopedia. Th...
Birch, Plywood, Paper, Mahogany
$16,014Sale Price|40% Off
H 65.75 in W 61.03 in D 16.54 in
Taichiro Nakai Teak Wall Cabinet by Consorzio La Permanente Mobili, 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Modular bookcase with structure in lacquered metal and wood. Glass tops and brass details. Produced by Consorzio la Permanente Mobili, Italy, 1953 Taichiro Nakai is an incredibly ta...
Metal, Brass
$4,468
H 81.89 in W 46.86 in D 20.48 in
Børge Mogensen Oak Cabinet, Scandinavian Modern Design, Sweden, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Berlin, DE
Shelving and storage cabinet in oak by Borge Mogensen.
Wood, Oak
Italian Wood Cabinet, 1960s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian wood cabinet, 1960s. Dimensions: H= 83 cm; W= 130 cm; D= 43 cm.
Wood
1960s Italian Cabinet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use
Wood
Svante Skogh cabinet, Sweden, 1960s
By Svante Skogh, Seffle Möbelfabrik
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced by Seffle Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1960s.
Glass
1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a great medical cabinet from the 1960s, ready to keep all your goodies safe this is a great 1960s accent item that is sure to be a one of a kind addition to your decor!
Metal
A Swedish Modern cabinet, Circa 1950s
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish Modern two door mahogany cabinet, Circa 1950s, with a clean design of a slightly overhanging cornice molding above two flat cupboard doors, raised on squared tapered legs j...
Mahogany
Danish Teak Cabinet , 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Cabinet on tapered legs, front with two doors, behind which shelves and pull-out trays. Denmark, middle of the 20th century.
Teak
19th-Century Swedish Pine Four Door Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Swedish pine cabinet featuring four paneled doors with simple carved floral motifs at each corner. The cabinet is divided into upper and lower sections, with a raised mi...
Wood, Pine, Paint
Scandinavian Solid Pine Cabinet, 1960's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Scandinavian cabinet in solid pine, circa 1960's. The two-door cabinet conceals 4 removable shelves. Leather pulls on the front. It is structurally sound and the wood is in origin...
Pine
Rare Swedish Pine Cabinet, 1930s
By Otto Schulz
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Swedish dark stained pine cabinet with beautiful patina. Produced in Sweden, late 1930s.
Pine
Yngve Ekström, Cabinet, Pine, Rattan, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and rattan cabinet designed by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1960s.
Rattan, Pine
Sold
H 68.12 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Scandinavian Modern "Krus" Cabinet by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
“Krus” (“Vessel”) cabinet by Yngve Ekström, made from teak. The front doors display a modernistic relief of everyday kitchen objects mixed with flowers and decorative objects. An art...
Teak
Sold
H 68.12 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Scandinavian Modern "Krus" Cabinet by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
“Krus” (“Vessel”) cabinet by Yngve Ekström, made from teak. The front doors display a modernistic relief of everyday kitchen objects mixed with flowers and decorative objects. An art...
Teak
Private listing for Kashia
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Combined deal including a Yngve Ekström cabinet and a teapot by Margrethe Dybdahl.
Teak
"Krus" Cabinet by Yngve Ekström, Westbergs Möbler, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
“Krus” (“Vessel”) cabinet by Yngve Ekström, made from teak. The front doors display a modernistic relief of everyday kitchen objects mixed with flowers and decorative objects. An art...
Teak
Swedish Modern Relief Carved 'Bangkok' Cabinet by Yngve Ekstrom
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Utrecht, NL
Beautiful relief carved teak 'Bangkok' cabinet on a contrasting solid beech base. Designed by Yngve Ekström for Westbergs Möbler, Sweden. The detailed designed cabinet has a beautif...
Beech, Teak
Sold
H 78.75 in W 70.87 in D 13.78 in
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Pine Cabinet Model "Furubo" by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Karlstad, SE
Pine cabinet Model "Furubo" designed by Yngve Ekström. The cabinet consists of six parts, two lockers with glass doors with wooden shelves inside, three lockers with rattan doors an...
Rattan, Glass, Pine
Sold
H 78.75 in W 47.25 in D 13.78 in
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Pine Cabinet Model "Furubo" by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Karlstad, SE
Pine cabinet Model "Furubo" designed by Yngve Ekström. The cabinet consists of four parts, one locker with glass doors with wooden shelves inside and three lockers with rattan doors...
Rattan, Glass, Pine
Sold
H 68.12 in W 39.38 in D 16.93 in
Yngve Ekström Krus Cabinet for AB Westerbergs Mobler Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Yngve Ekström cabinet model Krus by AB Westerbergs Mobler, Sweden, model launched in 1955 Carved door.
Teak
Sold
H 63 in W 47.25 in D 18.12 in
Bangkok Cabinet by Yngve Ekström 'Ekstrom' for Westbergs Mobler, 1950s, Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A wonderful Bangkok cabinet designed by Yngve Ekström for Westbergs Mobler, Sweden, 1950s. Solid beech legs with teak doors and sides. Inside there are three drawers and adjustable s...
Wood
Sold
H 63.39 in W 47.25 in D 18.12 in
Yngve Ekström Cabinet Model Bangkok Produced by Westbergs Möbler in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare cabinet model Bangkok designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Westbergs Möbler in Sweden.
Brass
Sold
H 68.12 in W 39.38 in D 16.93 in
Yngve Ekström Cabinet Model Krus by Westerbergs Furniture, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yngve Ekström cabinet model Krus by Westerbergs Furniture, Sweden, 1950s Yngve Ekström designed cabinet model Krus in teak with key included d...
Teak