Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of vintage Scandinavian modern furniture appear in the work of 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.
Characterized by bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries, Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with this style was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Bruno Mathsson, creator of the classic Grasshopper chair and Berlin daybed, but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the ’20s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced Scandinavian modern pieces 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. 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 he 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, maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Vernor Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern designs — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries. Even more than 50 years on from their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight.
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic, Stoneware
1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Art Glass
Late 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Art Glass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic, Wood
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
1910s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Stoneware
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Bronze
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Bronze
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Stoneware
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Wood
1980s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Stone
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Porcelain
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Birch
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
1970s German Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Porcelain
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ash, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Porcelain
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Stoneware
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Brass
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Pine
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic, Pine
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Brass
Late 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Art Glass
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic, Stoneware
1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Teak, Ash, Rosewood
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Stoneware, Ceramic
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Porcelain
1950s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Wood
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Oak, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Oak, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Teak, Oak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Iron
1920s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Chrome
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Teak, Oak
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic, Stoneware
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Ceramic
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures
Art Glass