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 Trolley Model Thea Produced in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Trolley model Thea designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced in Sweden. Measure: width: 72 ( 100 ) cm.
Formica, Rosewood
$2,986
H 29.02 in W 15.75 in D 33.67 in
Aldo Tura 1950s Mid-Century Bar Cart, Trolley or Stand in Brown Italian Goatskin
By Aldo Tura
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Midcentury Modern vintage Italian 1950s bar cart, tea trolley or drinks stand by Aldo Tura, Milan. The brown colored and lacquered goatskin leather combined with gilded cast metal ha...
Metal
$750
H 25 in W 39.5 in D 16.75 in
Classic Teak Mid Century Trolley / Bar Cart by Yngve Ekstrom Sweden Ca' 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual Mid Century Scandinavian modern bar cart / drinks trolley designed by Yngve Ekstrom in Sweden in the 1960s. Made of teak with sculptural handles on either side. The cleve...
Teak
Oval Brass Drinks Trolley by Maison Bagués
By Maison Baguès
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style oval bar cart is all made of brass. It has two removable oval trays made of glass and surrounded by a delicate brass gallery. This is a French work by famous ...
Brass
$2,100 / item
H 31.89 in W 28.35 in D 16.15 in
Zenzero Trolley in White Structure with Leather Finish by Samer Alameen
By Samer Alameen, Opinion Ciatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A trolley, a bar cart, an independent workstation… Zenzero is surprising, peppery, engaging, it is hospitality on wheels. Three steel trays are supported by a sinuous structure ma...
Steel
Art Deco Swedish Flame Birch Bar Cart Trolley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco bar cart made of Swedish flame birch. Two-tiered serving cart with wheels and a glass top. Curved shape that complements a variety of...
Birch
$3,075 / item
H 31.89 in W 28.35 in D 16.15 in
Zenzero Trolley in Glossy Gold Structure with Leather Finish by Samer Alameen
By Samer Alameen, Opinion Ciatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A trolley, a bar cart, an independent workstation… Zenzero is surprising, peppery, engaging, it is hospitality on wheels. Three steel trays are supported by a sinuous structure made...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Italian Serving Trolley
Located in Weesp, NL
Italian Mid-Century Modern serving trolley Beautiful two-tier chrome-plated serving or bar trolley with smoked glass in great condition. This trolley will only be shipped abroad in ...
Chrome
$1,469
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 19.1 in
Italian Midcentury Serving Cart or Trolley in Cesare Lacca Style, 1960s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Midcentury Serving Cart or Trolley in Cesare Lacca Style, 1960s Beautiful bar cart or trolley, which can be used also as side table. Made in Italy in the mid-century in the ...
Brass
$2,580Sale Price|24% Off
H 31.11 in W 33.47 in D 26.78 in
Rattan Drinks Trolley Attributed to Audoux Minet
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This drinks trolley is all made of rattan. This is a French work, attributed to famous French designers Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet, circa 1970.
Rattan
Circular Orange Italian Space Age Plastic Trolley
Located in Vienna, AT
Striking vintage plastic bar cart from the 1970s, a true testament to Italys iconic design era. Crafted in bold orange plastic, this circular trolley features two spacious shelves s...
Plastic
$1,235
H 24.81 in W 39.38 in D 16.54 in
MCM 'Thea' Teak & Oak Drinks Trolley / Bar Cart by Yngve Ekstrom, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Mid Century Scandinavian Teak & Oak Drinks Trolley / Bar Cart by Yngve Ekstrom, 1960s Superb Mid Century Scandinavian Modern bar cart / drinks trolley by Yngve Ekstrom in Sweden in t...
Oak, Teak
1960s Bar Trolley in the Style of Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Weesp, NL
Beautiful 1950s white, gold and brass bar trolley. This trolley is made of perforated metal sheets. The upper tray has a gold-plated glass inlay. Measurements: H 84 x W 48 x D 58.
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 24.81 in W 39.38 in D 16.54 in
Tea Trolley by Yngve Ekström, Oak and Formica, Produced by Swedese
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Goteborg, SE
"Thea" tea trolley by Yngve Ekström. Oak and Formica. The trolley's top can be extended by including the drop-leaf part. Produced by Swedese.
Formica, Oak
Midcentury Drop-Leaf Server in Teak
By Yngve Ekström
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this wonderful Scandinavian Modern bar cart or server with a drop-leaf top by Yngeve Ekstrom. Made of teak wood with sculptural handles on either side. The ...
Teak
1960s Vintage Swedish Teak Drinks Trolley by Yngve Ekstrom
By Yngve Ekström
Located in London, GB
A beautifully designed and extremely well made vintage teak drinks trolley, dating from the 1960s. This was designed by Yngve Ekstrom, and it’s a r...
Teak
Sold
H 25 in W 39 in D 16.5 in
Swedish Teak Sliding Top Bar Cart or Tea Trolley by Yngve Ekström for Kallemo
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Houston, TX
Hinged side table and serving trolley in teak and laminate top. The trolley was designed by Yngve Ekström for Kallemo. The cart has a sliding drop leaf top with the center piece a la...
Laminate, Teak
Sold
H 28.5 in W 33.5 in D 19.5 in
Modern Danish Teak Flip Top Fondue Cart / Server by Yngve Ekström for Kallemo
By Yngve Ekström, Källemo
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely modern Danish teak flip top fondue cart or trolley designed by Yngve Ekstrom for Kallemo. Features one drawer with dividers - perfect for storing utensils and a pull out platf...
Teak
Sold
H 24.41 in W 27.56 in D 16.54 in
Mid-Century Modern Serving Trolley in Teak by Yngve Ekström for Kallemo
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Trolley rolling Yngve Ekström. Teak structure. Teak sliding plate flaps and black melamine. Founded in the 1940s, Kallemo is one of the most famous Swedish furniture factories. Fo...
Teak
Yngve Ekström Teak Serving Cart with Sliding Drop-Leaf Top
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Highland, IN
A beautiful and ingenious design by Yngve Ekström, this serving cart in teak has an expanding top, the center portion of which is black mica. The sculptural frame supports the top, a...
Teak, Mica
A Scandinavian Modern Rolling Cart
By Yngve Ekström
Located in New York, NY
"Thea" is a teak trolley, featuring a lower shelf, and a hinged leaf which drops for storage. The center serving section is veneered in a matte black Formica, and made by the design...