Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
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 Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Pewter
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Iron
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Bronze
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Sterling Silver
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Copper
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Oak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Metal, Brass
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Metal, Bronze
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Copper
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Pewter
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Metal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Metal
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Stainless Steel
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wood
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Pewter
20th Century French Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Pewter
20th Century French Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Silver Plate
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
20th Century French Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Silver Plate
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Silver Plate
20th Century French Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Pewter
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Copper
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Stainless Steel
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Bronze
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Bronze
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Birch
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
2010s Italian Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Marble
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Brass, Pewter
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Wrought Iron
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Copper