Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of vintage Scandinavian modern furniture appear in the work of Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Characterized by bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries, Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with this style was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Bruno Mathsson, creator of the classic Grasshopper chair and Berlin daybed, but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the ’20s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced Scandinavian modern pieces based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while he produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Vernor Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern designs — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries. Even more than 50 years on from their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight.
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Pewter
Late 20th Century Japanese Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Zinc
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Silver
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Teak
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Faience
20th Century Thai Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Clay
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Wood
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Pine
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Iron
1910s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Pewter
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1910s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Iron
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass, Ash
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass