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Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

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
Scandinavian Contemporary Design, Portoro Marble w Green Glass by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cut Out Solid Portoro Marble combined with a delicate mouth blown glass bubble.
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Thorkild Hoffmann Larsen Sculpture
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Large wooden sculpture by Thorkild Hoffmann Larsen.
Category

1960s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Decorative Bowl / Sculpture Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Decorative bowl / sculpture by unknown designer. Produced in Sweden.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ash

Björn Selder Patinated Bronze Sculpture, Sweden 1970s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Characteristic for Swedish artist, Björn Selder, are powerful, expressive sculptures, such as this piece, in heavy materials like bronze, iron, and stone....
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Oscar Reutersvärd Sculpture ‘Uppåtsträvande rörelse’ Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sculpture ‘Uppåtsträvande rörelse’ by Oscar Reutersvärd. Produced in Sweden.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Sculpture in Brass and Rosewood
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sculpture in brass and rosewood.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Arvid Källström Sculpture / Bookend Produced in Sweden
By Arvid Kallstrom
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sculpture / bookend designed by Arvid Källström. Produced in Sweden.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Hand Carved Sisin Vase No. 2 in Linden Wood by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Fiskars, FI
SISIN (finnish for “quiddity”) is a sculptural hand carved vessel series where the forms and textures are inspired by exceptional beauty and necessity of mushrooms. Hollow pedesta...
Category

2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Monica Backström Sculpture Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sculpture in shape of a glass egg with glass rods designed by Monica Backström. Produced in Sweden. Signed Monica Backström Ateljé.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Bronze Sculpture by Jorgen Stening Sweden 1980 Signed and Dated
Located in Paris, FR
Jorgen Stening, a bronze sculpture, signed and dated 89. Sweden Patinated “vert de gris” oxydated sculpture in solid bronze on a glass base. Very good condition Measures: Height 46 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Rare Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda bowl , 1980’s
Located in Delft, NL
Rare Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda bowl , 1980’s
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Sculpture Designed by Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture designed by Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen, Denmark. 1960s. Sterling silver and ebony. Measurements: H: 21 cm/ 8 1/4''
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Sterling Silver

Contemporary Sculpture in Red-Elder Wood Handcrafted in Denmark by ÖRN DUVALD
Located in Gentofte, DK
Sculpture by Pétur Örn and Søren Duvald. Object between form and function- a composition of architectural elements and furniture craft traditions. Exhibited in 2015 at Dronninglund...
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Other

Contemporary Hand Carved Sisin Vase No. 5 in Linden Wood by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Fiskars, FI
SISIN (finnish for “quiddity”) is a sculptural hand carved vessel series where the forms and textures are inspired by exceptional beauty and necessity of mushrooms. Hollow pedestals...
Category

2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Hand Carved Sisin Vase No. 4 in Linden Wood by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Fiskars, FI
SISIN (finnish for “quiddity”) is a sculptural hand carved vessel series where the forms and textures are inspired by exceptional beauty and necessity of mushrooms. Hollow pedestals...
Category

2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Unique Sculpture, Made by Toini Muona, Finland, 1960s-Early 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Unique Sculpture, made by Toini Muona, Finland. 1960s/Early 1970s Stoneware with a metallic glaze. Support of limestone and porcelain. Measurements: H: 21 cm/ 8 1/4" D: 12 cm/ 4 3/4"
Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Vase Fabula and Ariel Designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden, 2004
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase Fabula and Ariel designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden. 2004. Glass. Dimensions: H: 20 cm/ 7 7/8" D: 17 cm/ 6 2/3" Unique. Signed Orrefors 9663-87 Per B Sundberg. Per B. Sundberg grew up in Huddinge, south of Stockholm, where he early showed interest in creative expression, including in textile. Sundberg applied and was accepted to the pottery division at Capellagården in Vickleby 1983-85. In the years 1985-1992 he studied glass and ceramics at Konstfack in Stockholm, with a break in 1988 to study at the Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle. Per B Sundberg altered the course of Swedish design in the 1990s with the advent of new techniques and the creation of experimental ceramics...
Category

Early 2000s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Sculpture, Designed by John Selbing for Orrefors, Sweden, 1961
By John Selbing
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture, designed by John Selbing for Orrefors, Sweden, 1961. Glass. Dimensions: H: 46.5 cm Diameter: 13 cm
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Stoneware Sculpture by Bengt Berglund for Gustavsberg, 1960s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A hand built sculpture made of stamped, stained and glazed stoneware slabs. Signed 'B. Berglund' with Gustavsberg Sweden sticker numbered '47'.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Vase Designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden, 2003
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden. 2003. Glass. Dimensions: H: 27 cm/ 10 2/3" D: 18 cm/ 7" Unique. Signed Orrefors 9454-87 Per B Sundberg. Per B. Sundberg grew up in Huddinge, south of Stockholm, where he early showed interest in creative expression, including in textile. Sundberg applied and was accepted to the pottery division at Capellagården in Vickleby 1983-85. In the years 1985-1992 he studied glass and ceramics at Konstfack in Stockholm, with a break in 1988 to study at the Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle. Per B Sundberg altered the course of Swedish design in the 1990s with the advent of new techniques and the creation of experimental ceramics...
Category

Early 2000s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Sculpture “Rain” Designed by Ole Christensen, Denmark, 1950s
By Ole Christiansen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture “Rain” designed by Ole Christensen, Denmark, 1950s. Stoneware. Dimensions: H: 79 cm/ 2' 7 5/8'' D: 31 cm/ 1' 1/2'' Provenance: The collec...
Category

1950s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Monica Backström Sculpture Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sculpture in shape of an glass egg with glass rods designed by Monica Backström. Produced in Sweden. Signed Monica Backström Ateljé.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Contemporary Hand Carved Sisin Vase No. 1 in Linden Wood by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Fiskars, FI
Sisin (finnish for “quiddity”) is a sculptural hand carved vessel series where the forms and textures are inspired by exceptional beauty and necessity of mushrooms. Hollow pedesta...
Category

2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Scandinavian Modern abstract sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern abstract sculptures 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 abstract sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern abstract sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original abstract sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Kjell Engman, Antrei Hartikainen, Monica Backström, and Bengt Berglund. 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 abstract sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $149,456 while the average work can sell for $2,372.

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