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.
Wall mounted Frosted Glass Art object with the Parable of the Good Samaritan
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wall plate by the Danish designer Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal made of metal wall mounted sheet lacquered in black and gilt with glass faceted frosted Art Glass.Limited edition from ...
Sheet Metal
Stoneware Wall Plaque / Tile, Rörstrand - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Fish
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stoneware wall plaque in shape of a fish designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. It is 38.5 cm long (15.4") and 15.5 cm (6.2") tall. It is in excellent condition and marked a...
Stoneware
6 Wall Plaques / Tiles, Rörstrand - Olle Alberius - Black and Green
Located in Stockholm, SE
A set of 6 porcelain wall tiles / plaques designed by Olle Alberius at Rörstrand in the late 1960s. These plaques have a decor of birds, flowers and trees in a black and green/yellow...
Stoneware
Swedish Armillary Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
This figural armillary of Atlas, constructed of metal with a copper numeric banding, hails from Sweden. Original matte black finish and mounted on a well-proportioned custom wooden pedestal also painted in black lacquer. It is missing one strip of numbers on the inside ring but makes a beautiful over-sized sculpture for a variety of decor styles. Please note the listing is for the sculpture only. The antique white pedestal...
Metal
$2,526 / set
H 6.3 in Dm 2.76 in
Midcentury Modern Collection of Ceramics Rörstrand Carl-Harry Stålhane, Sweden
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Collection of vases and bowls from Rörstrand and maker/Designer Stålhane. Made in Sweden in the mid-century. Beautiful, glazed vases in good condition. This set of green vases and bo...
Ceramic
$7,900
H 83.25 in W 39.375 in D 39.125 in
Large Italian Limestone Garden Armillary Sundial with Acanthus Carvings
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Measuring almost seven feet tall, this towering armillary sundial would make a wonderful garden ornament. Hand-carved in Italy, the tall base, which i...
Stone, Limestone, Metal, Iron
$163Sale Price|59% Off
H 0.89 in Dm 7.87 in
Ceramic plate by Olle Alberius from the 'Kurbits' Series for Rörstrand, Sweden.
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A very nice little vintage ceramic plate, made by the very well-known designer Olle Alberius, known as "Kurbits" from Rörstrand, Sweden. Alberius ceramic always has a special feeling, the shapes are simple, but the glazing is just stunning, the pattern is slightly abstract, yet knowing that Alberius has used a traditional style of folklore decoration known as Kurbits, one can see where he got his inspiration from. All off his objects are individual since they are hand painted. The price includes free shipping. The color is just stunning a dark blue color has been used against a pale gray background and there are also some dark brown and purple details as well as black details. It is around 20cm (7.87") in diameter and 2,5cm (0.98") high. It is in a very good condition. Between the years 1957 - 1965, Olle Alberius worked in Strömstad as a designer at SYCO keramik, where he created a large number of dishes, figurines, vases and bowls. He later works at Rörstrand, and between 1963 and 1965 he was employed at both SYCO keramik and Rörstrand. Alberius was attached to Rörstrand's Porcelain Factory in 1963–1971, where he worked partly with handicrafts and partly with tableware in flint and feldspar porcelain...
Ceramic
Swedish Atlas Astrology Garden Armillary
Located in Vienna, AT
A Swedish garden armillary, manufactured in the 1950s in Sweden.
Brass
$176Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 28 in W 27 in D 16 in
Atlas Armillary Sundial in Pewter Finish with Brass Accents
Located in Stamford, CT
The Greeks have used sundials to measure time since 100 B.C. Reminiscent of classic Greek mythology, this Atlas Armillary Sundial will demand attention, ...
Aluminum, Brass
Six Clear Olle Alberius Designed Vases From Orrefors
Located in Doraville, GA
DESCRIPTION Six Orrefors clear glass, hand blown, Flora vases designed by Olle Alberius in the 1970’s. The vases have a unique flower frog molded into the base. Born in 1926 in Sweden, glass designer and ceramicist Olle Alberius trained in ceramics at the Stockholm College of Art, Crafts and Design from 1952–56. Over the course of his career, he worked in ceramic design at Syco and Rörstrand (1963–71), and, beginning in 1971, designed pieces for renowned Swedish glassware...
Blown Glass
$5,595
H 45.5 in W 21 in D 16 in
Swedish Atlas Armillary Sundial Mounted on Hand-Carved Antique Stone Plinth
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish armillary of Atlas mounted onto stone plinth. This vintage Swedish armillary sundial is supported on the single arm of mighty Atlas, and is...
Stone, Copper, Metal
Large Armillary Sundial with Cast Iron Pedestal
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Large Armillary Sundial with cast iron pedestal. A Victorian white painted, Cast Iron sundial pedestal. The column is cast with four eagles and leave...
Steel, Iron
Antique Georgian Style Armillary Garden Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking antique Georgian style armillary sundial featuring an unusual 20th century armillary sphere mounted upon a beautifully weathered Georgian era red sandstone column plinth. ...
Sandstone, Steel
$433
H 14.97 in W 12.21 in D 0.79 in
Rusha Wall Plaque, Glazed Ceramic, (Image Flower arrangement) West Germany
By Ruscha
Located in Verviers, BE
Rusha Wall Plaque, Glazed Ceramic, (Image Flower arrangement) West Germany Was produced in the 1960's handmade, and made in Germany. Very collectible.
Ceramic
$2,706
H 4.34 in Dm 13 in
Midcentury Modern Unique Large Ceramic Bowl Carl-Harry Stålhane Rörstrand Sweden
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This large unique bowl has a wonderful glaze. It’s made in Sweden at Rörstrand and designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane. There is only one of its kind and is therefore a spectacular piece...
Ceramic
Olle Alberius for Orrefors Sweden Residence Crystal Bowl, Scandinavian Modern
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bowl was created by Olle Alberius for Orrefors Sweden as a part of Residence series; it features undulating curved faceted sides in clear crystal. Residence series was in pr...
Crystal
Sold
H 1.97 in Dm 8.27 in
3 Wall Plaques / Tiles, Rörstrand - Sylvia Leuchovius - Flowers Green & Purple
By Rörstrand, Sylvia Leuchovius
Located in Stockholm, SE
A set of 3 stoneware wall tiles / plaques designed by Sylvia Leuchovius at Rörstrand in the 1970s. These plaques have a lovely shape of flowers and green/purple color. They are 21 x ...
Stoneware
Sold
H 64.57 in W 12.6 in D 6.7 in
Large Handcrafted Wood Sculpture in Rosewood, Danish Mid Century Modern, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A large sculptural figurative shaped wooden sculpture, hand carved by a Danish artist in the 1960s. Made in rosewood. A beautiful decorative and rare object for the modern interior...
Wood, Rosewood
Sold
H 50.4 in Dm 7.88 in
Waldemar Sjölander, Large Wooden Sculpture, Swedish Mid Century Modern, 1966
By Waldemar Sjölander
Located in Odense, DK
A large sculptural organic shaped wooden sculpture, hand carved by Swedish artist Waldemar Sjölander. Signed by the artist, made 1966. A beautiful decorativ and rare object for the ...
Wood
Teak and Leather Room Divider Spåna from Alberts Tibro, 1950s
Located in Göteborg, SE
Alberts Tibro, a renowned furniture maker, is known for its attention to detail and dedication to producing quality pieces. This room divider is no exception, showcasing the brand's ...
Leather, Teak
Antique Hourglass / Sandglass - 19th century - Wood and glass - 30 minutes
Located in Stockholm, SE
A magnificent, antique hourglass with a wooden stative and glass. It is in very good condition and a lovely antique. The time that pass is 29 minutes...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 31.89 in W 8.27 in D 6.3 in
Swedish Modern Large Wooden Carved Sculpture, By Sven Olsson, Mid 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
Large sculptural organic shaped wooden sculpture, hand carved by Swedish artist Sven Olsson. Cold stamped "SO". Made between 1960-1980. A beautiful decorativ object for the modern...
Wood
Naiv Scandinavian Ceramic Wall Key Holder by Ole Berg, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual wall mounted key holder in stoneware. Naiv yet skillfully decorated with hedgehogs, keys and a little man in diffrent glazes. Designed and mad...
Ceramic
Wall Plaque, Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A wall plaque designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg. The wall plaque is 34 x 31,5 cm and is in very good condition. It is marked Stig L at the front and stamped Gustavsberg at the...
Stoneware
Wall Plaque, Lisa Larson, Gustavsberg, Blue Bishop
By Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A wall plaque designed by Lisa Larson at Gustavsberg, this one comes from the serie bishops that she produced between 1963-1969. The wall plaque is 44 x...
Stoneware
Wall Plaque, Lisa Larson, Gustavsberg, Brown Bishop
By Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A wall plaque designed by Lisa Larson at Gustavsberg, this one comes from the serie bishops that she produced between 1963-1969. The wall plaque is 44 x 9 cm (17,6" x 3,6") and is in...
Stoneware
Sold
H 57.09 in W 98.43 in D 0.4 in
Mid Century Danish Room Divider / Folding Screen in Patinated Pine, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
Mid century Danish room divider / folding screen in patinated pine, 1970s The screen can be folded, coiled or extended into any position, configuration or length you desire. Perfe...
Pine
Scandinavian teak, Sculptural vide poche, Denmark 1960, Jans Quistgaard Style
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This Vide poche in teak, looks like a Sculpture. It can be used as both. As a lot of Scandinavian objets, it is in teak. The period is circa 1960, It is within the Scandinavian mode...
Teak