Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
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.
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Enamel, Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Metal
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Clay
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Plastic
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Art Glass
1950s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Metal
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Birch
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Glass
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Earthenware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Lacquer, Wood
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Teak
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Art Glass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Teak
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Plywood
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Art Glass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Oak, Wenge
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Faience
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Faience
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Silver
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Teak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Cut Glass, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Cut Glass, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Art Glass
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware, Ceramic
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware, Ceramic
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Glass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Art Glass, Blown Glass
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Metal, Enamel
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Unknown Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Silver Plate
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Bowls and Baskets
Stoneware