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Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

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
Period: 1930s
Arthur Percy, Pen Holder, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic pen holder designed by Arthur Percy and produced by Gefle, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Pewter Inkstand by Nils Fougstedt for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1930
Located in Örebro, SE
Very rare and amazing pewter inkstand with glass tube by Nils Fougstedt, adorned with a flute playing, crosslegged Pan figurine -1930. Good vintage condit...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Hand Mirror in Pewter with Decor of Fish, Swedish Art Deco
Located in Stockholm, SE
A hand mirror in pewter designed in Sweden but not marked, it is in a beautiful Art Deco style from the 1930-1940´s. It is 15 cm in diameter and in very ...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Nils Fougstedt Ink-Stand Produced by Fabriksaktiebolaget Kronsilver in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ink-stand designed by Nils Fougstedt. Produced by Fabriksaktiebolaget Kronsilver in Sweden.  
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Temple of Apollo Pewter box from Herman Bergman, Sweden, 1939
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful pewter box from Herman Bergman, adorned with a strict pewter rectangle on top. Beautiful execution. The images depicted are from the Bassai (sometimes spelled Bassae) Fr...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Writing Set by Ernst Svedbom for Svenskt Tenn, 1934
Located in Long Island City, NY
Writing, seven parts set in pewter by Ernst Svedbom (1913-2004), Goldsmith AB for Swedish Tenn, circa 1934-1936. Marked: SG A-B Svenskt Tenn K8. A pair...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Related Items
Pewter Candle Sconce with Sunrise Design by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
Located in London, GB
An oval candle sconce in silver-coloured metal - mostly likely pewter. The oval panel is engraved with a simple design of a sunrise (or sunset) over the sea. The wooden back has a si...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

French Art Deco Palisander and Pewter Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French Art Deco palisander and pewter inlaid inkwell with 2 crystal wells.
Category

1930s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Pewter

Porcelain Biscuit Pen Holder
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This pen holder is truly refined, made of biscuit porcelain. Elaborate decoration with a loving couple on the front. Two compartments for pens. Perfect for a refined desk.
Category

1990s Italian Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Biscuit Pen Holder
Porcelain Biscuit Pen Holder
H 6.7 in W 9.06 in D 4.73 in
Art Deco Pair of Pelican Figure Bookends in Hand Carved Woods, circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a good pair of Art Deco period, Book ends of two Pelicans hand carved in wood. Each stylised pelican has been well hand carved in a dark hardwood and stands on a base f...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Hardwood

Malachite Box 4"
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful 1.2 lb malachite box. The box is made of gemstone malachite with spectacular natural swirls and patterns. A remarkable objet d'art of quality, luxury and sophistication. ...
Category

2010s Unknown Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Malachite Box 4"
Malachite Box 4"
H 2 in W 4 in D 3 in
Huge Domed Malachite Box 5 Lb Jewelry Box
Located in Somis, CA
An extraordinary, oversize, 5.25 lb (2.4 kg) natural malachite box with mesmerizing patterns and an unique dome top. This exceptional piece uses carefully selected fine grade gemston...
Category

2010s Unknown Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Malachite Box 1.1 lb Jewelry Box
Located in Somis, CA
A stunning malachite box with a fantastic stripe pattern resembling images of inside of a cave. This exceptional piece uses carefully selected fine grade gemstone malachite in brilli...
Category

2010s Unknown Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Malachite Box 1.1 lb Jewelry Box
Malachite Box 1.1 lb Jewelry Box
H 1.5 in W 4 in D 2.75 in
Elegant Jardiniere in Pewter by GAB, Sweden. Art Deco from 1933.
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Jardiniere in Pewter by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden. Typical Swedish Art Deco / Swedish Grace and marked GAB TENN (pewter) and G8 which means it was manufactured in 193...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Elegant Jardiniere in Pewter by GAB, Sweden. Art Deco from 1933.
Elegant Jardiniere in Pewter by GAB, Sweden. Art Deco from 1933.
Free Shipping
H 3.94 in W 11.42 in D 5.12 in
Burl Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful rich brown burl wood round box with circular detail in the Minimalist style, circa late-20th century. A great box for any vanity or desk area for...
Category

Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Burl

Burl Wood Jewelry Box
Burl Wood Jewelry Box
H 1.69 in Dm 3.94 in
Burl Wood Box, Small
Located in New York, NY
A small burl wood round box with lid, circa late 20th century. A great piece to hold small jewelry (as demonstrated) or other small items on a vanity, desk, nightstand table, dresser, etc. Dimensions: 2.75" diameter x 1.75" Height. Other items shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #s: Mackenzie-Childs vase, search ref. #: LU1314226933622 Marble bookends, search ref. #: LU1314226918872 Brass sculpture, search ref. #: LU1314226920632 Agate dish...
Category

Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Burl

Burl Wood Box, Small
Burl Wood Box, Small
H 1.75 in Dm 2.75 in
Mid-Century Modernist Sculptural Pen with Pen Holder 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly sculptural and aerodynamic piece of writing. This beautiful vintage mid-century piece is a great addition to anyone with a passion for mid-century design. The dynamic pe...
Category

1960s American Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Svenskt Tenn Midcentury Candleholders: Swedish Timeless Pewter Craftsmanship
Located in Søgne, NO
Svenskt Tenn Candleholders: A Timeless Testament to Swedish Design Heritage Since 1937. Founded by Estrid Ericson in 1924, Svenskt Tenn's rich history intertwines with the visionary...
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Tin, Pewter

Scandinavian Modern desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern desk accessories 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 desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Dansk Designs, Gunnar Cyren, Ericsson, and Lindshammar Glasbruck. 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 desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $79 and tops out at $1,200 while the average work can sell for $199.

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