Scandinavian Modern Seating
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by 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.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style 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, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. 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 the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator 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, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Papercord, Ash
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin
20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Bamboo
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Seating
Alpaca, Beech, Oak
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Steel
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Elm
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Seating
Walnut
2010s Polish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Wool, Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Wool, Bouclé, Oak
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Birch
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Beech
1970s Singaporean Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Teak, Bentwood
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Beech, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Oak, Fabric
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Elm
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Rattan
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Rattan, Ash
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Rosewood
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Teak
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Sheepskin, Beech
20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Chrome
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Upholstery, Wicker, Oak
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Oak
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Seating
Walnut
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Beech, Mohair
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Seating
Alpaca, Beech, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Plywood, Teak
1950s American Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Papercord, Oak, Teak
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Birch
2010s Vietnamese Scandinavian Modern Seating
Rush, Oak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Steel
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Pine
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Upholstery, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Mohair, Oak
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Oak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Naugahyde, Teak
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Wool, Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Metal
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Rattan, Oak
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Faux Leather, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Wool, Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Beech, Leather
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Ash
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Cane, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Seating
Alpaca, Beech, Oak
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Wool, Beech
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Beech
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Beech
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Upholstery, Oak, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Metal, Aluminum
1970s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Oak
Scandinavian Modern seating for sale on 1stDibs.
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