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.
Arne Jacobsen 'City Hall' Wall Clock, Green, Ø 11.4 in
Located in New York, NY
Functionalism. Simplicity. Arne Jacobsen. The City Hall wall clock from Arne Jacobsen Clocks is design in its purest form—created to tell the time, and nothing more. Arne Jacobsen be...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Bankers' Wall Clock, White, Ø 11.4 in
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the Bankers Clock for the National Bank of Denmark in 1971, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in four sizes, and it...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Bankers' Wall Clock, White, Ø 4.7 in
Located in New York, NY
Not only does the Arne Jacobsen weather station provide an overview of relative humidity, temperature, air pressure and the time – this weather station is beautiful, simple and for ...
Metal
$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 Jacobsen 'Bankers' Wall Clock, White, Ø 6.3 in
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the Bankers Clock for the National Bank of Denmark in 1971, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in four sizes, and it...
Metal
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
Arne Jacobsen 'City Hall' Wall Clock, Green, Ø 8.3 in
Located in New York, NY
Functionalism. Simplicity. Arne Jacobsen. The City Hall wall clock from Arne Jacobsen Clocks is design in its purest form—created to tell the time, and nothing more. Arne Jacobsen be...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'City Hall' Wall Clock, Blue, Ø 11.4 in
Located in New York, NY
Functionalism. Simplicity. Arne Jacobsen. The City Hall wall clock from Arne Jacobsen Clocks is design in its purest form—created to tell the time, and nothing more. Arne Jacobsen be...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'City Hall' Wall Clock, White, Ø 11.4 in
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the City Hall Clock for Rødovre Town Hall in 1956, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in three sizes, and its curren...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Station' Wall Clock, White, Ø 8.3 in
Located in New York, NY
Take time out for the latest interior design trends. Arne Jacobsen's Station Clock was originally designed for the electrical manufacturer LK in 1941. The original design for this ic...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Bankers' Wall Clock, White, Ø 18.9 in
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the Bankers Clock for the National Bank of Denmark in 1971, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in four sizes, and it...
Metal
c1960s Mid-century Modern Ceramic Wall Clock, Junghans, Germany
Located in Skien, NO
Bring timeless Mid-century Modern design into your home with this stunning ceramic wall clock from renowned Junghans, Germany. The clock features a red and brown patterned ceramic fr...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'City Hall' Wall Clock, White, Ø 6.5 in
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the City Hall Clock for Rødovre Town Hall in 1956, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in three sizes, and its curren...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Bankers' Wall Clock, White, Ø 8.3 in
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the Bankers Clock for the National Bank of Denmark in 1971, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in four sizes, and it...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Roman' Wall Clock, White, Ø 11.4 in
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the Roman Clock for Aarhus Town Hall in 1942, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in four sizes, and its current desi...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'City Hall' Wall Clock, White, Ø 8.3 in
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the City Hall Clock for Rødovre Town Hall in 1956, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in three sizes, and its curren...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Bankers' Wall Clock, Black, Ø 8.3 in
Located in New York, NY
The stylish black Bankers Wall Clock by Arne Jacobsen Clocks is 21 cm in diameter. The design is classic, with a twist of creative little details, such as the elegant spiral that ill...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Bankers' Wall Clock, Black, Ø 11.4 in
Located in New York, NY
The delightful black Bankers Wall Clock by Arne Jacobsen Clocks is 29 cm in diameter. The clock was originally designed in 1971 for use in the National Bank of Denmark, but now you, ...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Roman' Wall Clock, White, Ø 18.9 in
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the Roman Clock for Aarhus Town Hall in 1942, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in four sizes, and its current desi...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen Roman Wall Clock, White Metal, 8.3 in, Modern Design
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the Roman Clock for Aarhus Town Hall in 1942, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in four sizes, and its current desi...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Station' Wall Clock, White, Ø 11.4 in
Located in New York, NY
Take time out for the latest interior design trends. Arne Jacobsen's Station Clock was originally designed for the electrical manufacturer LK in 1941. The original design for this ic...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Station' Wall Clock, White, Ø 6.5 in
Located in New York, NY
Take time out for the latest interior design trends. Arne Jacobsen's Station Clock was originally designed for the electrical manufacturer LK in 1941. The original design for this ic...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'City Hall' Wall Clock, Blue, Ø 8.3 in
Located in New York, NY
Functionalism. Simplicity. Arne Jacobsen. The City Hall wall clock from Arne Jacobsen Clocks is design in its purest form—created to tell the time, and nothing more. Arne Jacobsen be...
Metal
Arne Jacobsen Roman Wall Clock, White Metal, 16 cm Scandinavian Design
Located in New York, NY
When Arne Jacobsen designed the Roman Clock for Aarhus Town Hall in 1942, he also created a design icon for the home. This wall clock is available in four sizes, and its current desi...
Metal
$674 / 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
$674 / 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
$674 / 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
$569 / 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
$569 / 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
$674 / 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