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
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.
$1,625Sale Price|35% Off
Danish Midcentury Wall Clock by Arne Jacobsen Model Roman
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Clock by Arne Jacobsen model Roma with Quartz clockwork. Arne Jacobsen for Rosendahl. Steel wall clock wi...
Stainless Steel
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Grandfather Clock 1965 in Teak
Located in Handewitt, DE
Arne Hovmand-Olsen, conical shaped Grandfarher clock 1965. With brass hands and brass hour marks. Inside with shelfes. Made in teak.
Brass
$3,055Sale Price|50% Off
1972 Carl Malmsten Unique Longcase “Tidlösa” Clock, Birch and Masur Birch
Located in London, GB
Carl Malmsten “Tidlösa” Longcase clock in Birch and Masur birch. Case signed Malmstens Verkstadsskola 1977, Carpenter Master Artur Jönsson, clock marked Westerstrands Sweden.
Birch
$579 / item
Bone Clock
Located in Ostrava, CZ
Revitalize your decor with these stunning wall clocks, featuring an alluring design crafted from natural zebrano veneer arranged in a mesmerizing fishbone pattern. Equipped with a ...
Zebra Wood
$280Sale Price|20% Off
Scandinavian Design Octagonal Clock by Arne Bjerke
Located in Skien, NO
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Octagonal Table Clock by Arne Bjerke Circa 1970s-1980s This elegant table clock, designed and handcrafted by Norwegian designer Arne Bjerke, features...
Oak
Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Ceramic Table Clock, Flower and Beeds, Arabia 1970s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen had a thing for clock´s. Frequently in his decorative dishes he had clock`s that were always pointing to 12:15. Now here is the whole thing. In perfect working orde...
Ceramic
Carmine Clock Made In Light Mahogany From 1920s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique carmine-colored clock, made from light mahogany with intarsia, dates back to the 1920s and is a beautiful example of early 20th-century craftsmanship. The clock is craft...
Mahogany
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen, White Plastic Wall Clock, 1960s-1970s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen. White plastic wall clock. Dial with Roman numerals. Clockwork quartz, 1960s-1970s. Measures: Diameter 40 cm. In very good condition.
Plastic
Vintage Scandinavian Design Teak & Hardwood Segmented Bowl, ca. 1970s
Located in Skien, NO
This stunning Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern segmented bowl is expertly crafted from a combination of teak and possibly walnut, featuring a striking cross and geometric pattern. Des...
Hardwood, Teak, Walnut
$685 / item
PAC Clock (green)
Located in Ostrava, CZ
Transform your space with these enchanting wall clocks that effortlessly combine artistry and functionality. The clocks boast a captivating design, featuring a meticulously arranged ...
Ash
Vintage Scandinavian Wall Clock – Denmark, 1947 Cast Figures and Brass Details
Located in Stockholm, SE
Monumental wall clock, anonymous, Denmark. 1947. Pewter and brass. Measurements: H: 78 cm/ 30 3/4'' L: 130 cm/ 51 1/4''
Brass, Pewter
$685 / item
PAC Clock (grey)
Located in Ostrava, CZ
Transform your space with these enchanting wall clocks that effortlessly combine artistry and functionality. The clocks boast a captivating design, featuring a meticulously arranged ...
Ash
$685 / item
PAC Clock (purple)
Located in Ostrava, CZ
Transform your space with these enchanting wall clocks that effortlessly combine artistry and functionality. The clocks boast a captivating design, featuring a meticulously arranged ...
Ash
$579 / item
Cube Clock
Located in Ostrava, CZ
Redefine your decor with these exquisite wall clocks, showcasing a mesmerizing design crafted from natural ash veneer arranged in a 3D cube pattern. The intricate arrangement of the ...
Ash
$685 / item
PAC Clock (orange)
Located in Ostrava, CZ
Transform your space with these enchanting wall clocks that effortlessly combine artistry and functionality. The clocks boast a captivating design, featuring a meticulously arranged ...
Ash
Modernist Sterling Silver Clock - Simon Benney - London 2006
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 2006 by Simon Benney, this charming, Sterling Silver Clock, features textured detailing, and a battery operated quartz movement. The clock measures 5.5"(14c...
Sterling Silver
La Manufacture-Paris Real Wall Clock Designed by Michael Young
Located in New York, NY
Wall Clock — Anodized champagne/black laser cut metal.
Metal
Rare Extra Small Octagonal Bakelite Wall Clock by Gent of Leicester
Located in Nottingham, GB
Rare Octagonal Bakelite Wall Clock. A beautiful art deco style wall clock by renowned British clock maker Gents of Leicester. Made in England circa 1930. Gent of Leicester makers ...
Steel
$1,250
H 13.25 in Dm 13.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Wall Clock by Fritz Hansen, George Nelson, Teak, 1957
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
Stool seat wall clock, model 7512, c. 1957 by Fritz Hansen. This finely decorative wall clock is simply stunning and is certain to draw conversation in any room in the home. Produced by George Nelson & Associates, USA, 1950s Stamped 'FH DENMARK...
Teak
$8,962
H 92.52 in W 19.69 in D 9.45 in
Fantastic quality antique George III lacquered and chinoiserie longcase clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fantastic quality antique George III lacquered and chinoiserie decorated longcase clock, having a quality brass arched dial, the arch with a name plate signed Jacob Ellry Rumsey surr...
Brass
$835 / item
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 2.37 in
Handmade Cris G Wall Clock by Nomon, Brass & Walnut, Modern Design
By Nomon
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The Cris G is a handmade clock that combines emotive aesthetic with strong impact. The design incorporates contrasting materials, such as brass, walnut ...
Brass
Antique Mahogany 8 Day Painted Face Longcase Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding antique mahogany 8 day painted face longcase clock signed Johnson Knaresboro with a swan-neck pediment with original brass finials. This a stunning piece, very decorative...
Brass
Wall Clock by Piero Fornasetti
Located in Vienna, AT
Piero Fornasetti wall clock created in 1990s. Glass clock face with printed woman face and digits with quartz clockwork. Measures: Ø 37 cm.
Glass
Scottish Grandfather Clock
Located in New York, NY
Scottish Grandfather clock: Clock face painted with settings of the Fair Maid of Perth during the four seasons. Measures: 21" x 9" x 76" Weighs: 50 Lbs.
Wood
$1,430Sale Price|24% Off
H 4.5 in W 6.5 in D 2.5 in
Vintage Tiffany and Co. Square Brass Desk Clock, 1970s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome 8 day, Swiss jeweled Tiffany and Co. square desk clock in patinated brass with stepped dial frame and two-tiered base. Face pivots between f...
Brass
Kienzle Uhren Brutalist Wall Mount Ceramic Clock, 1970s German
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking German Mid-Century wall-mounted clock from the 1970s, masterfully crafted by Kienzle Uhren. This clock stands out for its bold, sculptural form, featuring a textured matte...
Ceramic
Mid Century Modern George Nelson Model No. 622 Wall Clock
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful Model No. 622 wall clock designed by George Nelson & Associates, and manufactured by Howard Miller. In good working condition. Marked with Howard Miller label. The George ...
Aluminum
Original 1970s table clock and alarm clock COMFORTIME 3 by Krups
By Krups
Located in München, DE
Original 1970s Krups table clock and alarm clock. Krups Type 672. Made in Germany. The 1970s Pop Art classic in typical red and orange. Clock and alarm functions are working. Quiet a...
Plastic
Tapio Wirkkala / HOURGLASS L / Vakumotuote Oy
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
This acrylic cube-shaped hourglass was created in 1980 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Mannerheim Child Welfare Association. In Finnish, ‘Hetkinen Lapselle’ means ‘Time fo...
Acrylic
Sold
H 8.86 in W 8.86 in D 1.58 in
Swedish Mid-century Modern Wall Clock, Carl Westh design, Genfa Germany
Located in Skien, NO
Bring timeless Scandinavian design into your home with this stunning mid-century modern wall clock from renowned Swedish design Carl Westh. The clock features a bold green patterned ...
Ceramic, Glass, Plastic
Rare Solid Sterling Silver Wall Clock for Georg Jensen by Henning Koppel
By Henning Koppel, Georg Jensen
Located in Oakland, CA
An extremely rare solid sterling silver wall clock model HK A11 designed by Henning Koppel and created by Georg Jensen of Denmark. A never used wall clock...
Sterling Silver
Large Henning Koppel Design Wall Clock in Copper by Georg Jensen Denmark
By Georg Jensen, Henning Koppel
Located in Krefeld, DE
Rare copper clock Design by Henning Koppel for Goerg Jensen. This copper edition version of this clock has been out of production for decades. No parts missing, no damages and full w...
Copper
Vintage Black Sunburst Wall Clock by George Nelson for Howard Miller
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in San Jose, CA
Classic Mid Century Modern sunburst wall clock designed by George Nelson for Howard Miller Clock Company, circa 1950's. This iconic piece is all original made with black lacquered wo...
Brass
Large Henning Koppel Design Wall Clock in Copper by Georg Jensen Denmark
By Henning Koppel, Georg Jensen
Located in Krefeld, DE
Rare copper clock Design by Henning Koppel for Goerg Jensen. This copper edition version of this clock has been out of production for decades. No parts missing, no damages, very nice...
Copper
Orrefors Sweden Orion Crystal Desk Clock Paperweight 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Orion Desk Clock by Lars Hellsten circa 1970s. The Swedish crystal desk clock designed by sculptor Lars Hellsten for Orrefors, showcases a flared form with a ...
Crystal
Art Deco Longcase Clock, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Floor clock in elm wood, design and made in Denmark 1930s. Great original condition.
Glass, Oak
Weather station barometer, thermometer, hygrometer by Henning Koppel
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Weather station barometer, thermometer, hygrometer by Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen. Edition from the 70's. Perfect functional condition.
Steel
Art Deco Longcase Clock in Elm, Denmark, 1930s
Located in Lejre, DK
Floor clock in elm wood, design and made in Denmark 1930s. Great original condition.
Elm
Scandinavian Modern Teak Longcase Clock
Located in Trenton, NJ
This stylish Scandinavian modern longcase teak bookcase by Westminster Design features natural teak finish with brass finish clock face and three glass shelves within the case. Top l...
Teak
Danish Long Case Wall Clock
Located in London, GB
A large Danish long case chiming wall clock. Produced in Denmark circa 1960. A solid and bold design in teak with brass elements. A statement decorati...
Brass