Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
The work of furniture designer Illum Wikkelsø wholly embodies the spirit of Scandinavian modernism. With their organic forms and wealth of angles inspired by the Danish countryside, his vintage lounge chairs, sofas and other seating pieces offer ergonomic comfort and lasting visual appeal.
Born Kristian Illum Wikkelsø and raised in a town near Faaborg, Denmark, the designer grew up around carpentry and cabinetmaking. He apprenticed with a cabinetmaker in his teens and enrolled in classes at the Technical Society School in Copenhagen as well as the Danish School of Arts & Crafts. At the latter, Wikkelsø studied under Kaare Klint, an architect and designer widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture.
After completing his studies, Wikkelsø went on to work with famed Danish architect and furniture maker Jacob Kjær. After a time with Kjær, he moved on. He went to work for designer and architect Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen at Hvidt & Mølgaard, a firm established by Mølgaard-Nielsen — Wikkelsø’s former instructor at the Technical Society School — and Peter Hvidt that yielded more than 250 designs and lasted over 30 years.
In 1954, Wikkelsø opened his own design studio in Aarhus, Denmark. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he made quite a name for himself, with designs that were new and innovative to the industry at the time. He created furniture for Holger Christiansen and secured commissions from the Danish government. While he’s likely best known today for his inviting teak and leather lounge chairs or slender rosewood dining chairs, some of Wikkelsø’s 1960s-era lounge chairs merged Danish craftsmanship and Pop art with their unconventionally shaped chrome frames and vibrantly colored upholstery.
Wikkelsø passed away in 1999, but collectors around the world continue to prize his outstanding designs.
Find vintage Illum Wikkelsø tables, seating and case pieces on 1stDibs.
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Wool, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Foam, Walnut
1970s Danish Post-Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Teak
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Cord, Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Faux Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Cord, Rope, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Wool, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Canvas, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Steel
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Faux Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Wicker, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Cane, Beech
1960s Italian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Cord, Beech
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wenge
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Beech, Seagrass
20th Century Danish Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
1960s Danish Organic Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Mahogany, Faux Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Leather, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Steel
1950s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1950s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1950s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Teak