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Scandinavian Modern Garden Ornaments

SCANDINAVIAN MODERN STYLE

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 

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

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. 

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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Vintage Scandinavian Watering Can in Spiraling Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Vintage brass watering can with a beautiful form! It features a spiraling spout perfect for directional watering of houseplants as orchids o...
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20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Garden Ornaments

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Brass

Set of Six Plant Trays Attributed to Paavo Tynell, Finland, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Copper and brass. Measures: L: 227 cm/ 7' 5 3/4" W: 21 cm/ 8 1/4" Provenance: The member's club at the Myllykoski paper mill, Finland. Paavo Tynell's office was responsible for th...
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1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Garden Ornaments

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Brass, Copper

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Located in Los Angeles, CA
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French Style 1950s Plant Stand
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Copper and brass conbination watering can vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
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Unmatching Pair of Plant Stands or Jardinières in Gilt Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of two gilt wrought iron leafed planters on tripod bases. Manufactured at the Mid-Century Modern period, Spain, 1950-1960. Both standing on tripod bases. Different design, one with a triple leafed top and the other one with leafed crown shaped top. One shows its original gold leaf gilding and the other one a gilt patina finish in bronze-gilt tone. Beautiful placed alone or as a part of a set with other planters in different sizes. To be used indoor or outdoor at your garden, patio or veranda decoration. Measures: The triple leafed plant stand is: 38 cm W x 32 cm D x 50 cm H The other planter is: 35 cm x 33 cm D x 47 cm H Pair of Iron Planters...
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Brass and Copper Watering Can marked Illums Bolighus attributed to Carl Aubock
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Seven Zodiac Relief Signs, Artificial Stone, C. 1940
Located in Stockholm, SE
Seven (7) cast zodiac artificial stone reliefs, c. 1940-1950 by sculptor Manne Östlund (1904-1957). Manne Valfrid Östlund, born 1 May 1904 in Österfärnebo in Gävleborg County, died 5 May 1957 in Valbo in Gävleborg County, was a Swedish painter, draftsman and sculptor. He was the son of bookkeeper Jonas Olsson-Östlund and Maria Andersson and married from 1941 to weaving teacher Brita Evelina Persson. After Östlund studied for a year at the Royal Academy of Arts in Stockholm, he debuted with a solo exhibition in Gävle in 1924, which was followed by a solo exhibition in 1926 where he showed fairy tale drawings and caricatures that were strongly influenced by Einar Nerman and Ivar Arosenius. During the 1930s and 1940s he switched to a surrealist style in the spirit of Gösta Adrian-Nilsson and later approached the decorative style practiced by the other members of the Halmstad group. His decorative ability was used to a large extent for a number of public works where he contributed to the design of the Gävle museum in 1940, which later led to him receiving museum work at, among others, the Nordic Museum, Hudiksvalls museum, Umeå museum, Skellefteå museum and Luleå museum. At the end of the 1940s, he was hired to carry out a number of monumental decorations with ceiling murals, reliefs, mosaic work and designing the ironwork. His great interest in homestead care led to him receiving a number of assignments which were basically the renovation of old homesteads in the county as well as the preservation of the old folk art of guest houses. Among his public works are paintings in Valbo municipal hall, Årsuda municipal hall, Hagaström school, Forsbacka grave chapel, Storvik courthouse, Nordic Museum, stained glass in the bodega in Gävle and Norrbo church as well as the blacksmith for several schools and other public buildings. He was awarded the Gefle Dagblad's cultural prize for valuable artistic and cultural preservation work in 1956. In addition to his own solo exhibitions in Gävle, he exhibited together with Nils Söderberg in Gävle in 1929 and together with Ruben Wallström and Nils Söderberg in Uppsala in 1931. He participated in the Geflesalong in 1927, the Culture Fair in Gävle in 1944 and in an exhibition of Gävleborg art in Gothenburg and Uppsala in 1935 as well as the Gävleborg county art association's county exhibitions 1943–1945 and 1947–1953. He was represented in the exhibition Swedish watercolors 1925–1947 which was shown at the Art Academy in Stockholm in 1947. A memorial exhibition of his art was shown at the Gävle museum in 1958. Östlund was frequently employed as an illustrator in Dagens Nyheter, Idun, Hälsingerunor 1935–1937 and Gävleborg's journalists' Christmas magazine...
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Zodiac Artificial Stone Relief Sign of Capricorn, c. 1940
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Swedish 1920s Cast Iron Park Bench Designed by Folke Bensow
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The perfect vintage condition for the garden! “Parkbench No 1” model shown in the garden of the Swedish Pavilion at the Paris exhibition 1925. Designed by Folke Bensow (1886-1971...
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Scandinavian Modern garden ornaments for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern garden ornaments for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage garden ornaments created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern garden ornaments made in a specific country, there are Europe, Denmark, and Finland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for garden ornaments differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $90 and tops out at $3,946 while the average work can sell for $269.

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