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Scandinavian Modern 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
Period: 20th Century
Brutalist Clear Glass Sculptures by Renate Stock-Paulsson, Sweden, Set of 2
Located in Rīga, LV
Set of 2 vintage brutalist clear glass sculptures from the Moai Series designed by Renate Stock-Paulsson in the 1990s (in production until the 2000s) for ...
Category

1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Unique Set of three Swedish Sculptures by Jan Johansson, Glass, Limestone, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture, designed by Jan Johansson, Sweden, 1970s. Unique. Different colored glass blocks on limestone pedestals. Heights including the pedestals: 106 cm/ 41 3/4'' 82 cm/ 32 1/...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Wooden sculpture in the manner of Constantin Brancusi by unknown artist
By Brancusi
Located in Hägersten, SE
Wooden sculpture in the manner of Constantin Brancusi. Made by Unknown artist during the 1950-60s. Carved from solid fir wood. Very expressive in the grain. Very good vintage conditi...
Category

1950s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Fir

A Tapio Wirkkala Rhythmic Veneer Leaf Dish, 1950s
Located in Helsinki, FI
In most if not all of his designs, Tapio Wirkkala took his inspiration from the surrounding nature. This is one example with a beautiful figurative sculptural "leaf". The way it's re...
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Birch

Gorilla Sculpture in black glazed ceramic, 1960's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Gorilla Sculpture, 1960's Additional Information: Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Gabriel in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 20 x 26 x 2...
Category

20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Three Lions From The Afrika Series Designed By Lisa Larson For Gustavsberg
Located in Doraville, GA
Three lions in varying sizes designed by noted designer and ceramicist Lisa Larson. The lions are from the Afrika series, designed in 1964. The set consists of a mini, large and giga...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Unique Bronze Sculpture by Leo Laukkanen Sweden 1960 Signed
Located in Paris, FR
Unique bronze sculpture by Leo Laukkanen Sweden 1960 Nice patina, good condition. More photos available Leo Olavi Laukkanen (11 October 1913 Helsinki - 1 November 1978 Helsinki) was a Finnish sculptor. He is particularly known for his abstract miniature sculptures, most of which are made of granite. Laukkanen studied at the Central School of Art and Design from 1931 to 1933. Although the best-known part of Laukkanen's output consists of abstract sculptures, in the early and late stages of his career he also made figurative sculptures in both stone and bronze, including female figures. In 1980, Helsinki Art Hall hosted an extensive memorial exhibition of Laukkanen's works, which he had bequeathed to the Finnish Artists' Association. Laukkanen was an assistant to the sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Scandinavian modern stoneware pike by Sven Wejsfelt, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1980s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Great stoneware sculpture designed by Sven Wejsfelt for Gustavsberg, Sweden, during the 1980s. This pike belongs of the designers series 'Stim'.
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Erik Höglund for Kosta Boda. Rare sculpture in art glass. A man's head.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Erik Höglund for Kosta Boda, Swedish glass artist. Rare sculpture in art glass. Matte glass. A man's head. 1950s/60s. Signed. Perfect condition. Dimensions: W 8.5 cm x D 7.5 cm x H 1...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Large Abstract Sculpture by Egon Fischer Gold Painted Metal, Denmark, 1960s
By Egon Fischer
Located in Odense, DK
Unique abstract sculpture by Danish artist Egon Fischer (1935-2016). the large sculpture is made of welded iron and gold paint. To be placed on the floor or on a socket. Made in the ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg Poodle Dog Scandinavian Modern 1963
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Poodle is made of white stoneware with shiny light blue glaze and dark blue hand painted decoration. It was designed by Lisa Larson (1931-2024) as part of the "Poodles" (Pudlar) ser...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Extremely Rare Alvar Aalto Wooden Mould for Vase Model 3032, 1940s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A collector's gem! Early Alvar Aalto hand carved wooden mould for the iconic vase no. 3032 which Aalto designed in the 1930s. The mould is hand carved from an older tree stump and ...
Category

1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Kay Bojesen, well-known Danish designer. Wooden figurine of a zebra.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kay Bojesen (1886-1958),a well-known Danish silversmith and designer. Wooden figurine of a zebra. Hand-painted. Early edition. Mid-20th century. Label. In very good condition. Dimen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg Dachshund Dog Scandinavian Modern
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Dachshund dog is made of chamotte stoneware with geometric decoration in blue and white semi-matte glaze. It was designed by Lisa Larson (1931-2024) in 1955 as part of the ”Lilla zo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Oiva Toikka Glass Bird Sculpture for Iittala of Finland
Located in Turku, FI
Big Art Glass Bird Designed by Oiva Tikka for Iittala Finland. Dimensions: Length 26cm / 10.20in Height 18cm / 7in Width 13cm / 5.1in Signed "O.Toikka Nuutajärvi"
Category

Late 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Scandinavian Midcentury Lion Figurine by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
Gorgeous stoneware lion figurine by Gunnar Nylund with an expressive face and glaze gathering beautifully in all its nooks and crannies. Gunnar Nylund’s animal figurines are among hi...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Danish Modern Solid Teak Hand-Carved Duck Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical hand-carved duck sculpture in solid teak unsigned, circa 1960s.
Category

20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Teak

Steiff Jocko Monkey, 1950's German Sitting Mohair Chimpanzee
Located in Berlin, DE
Steiff Jocko Monkey, 1950's German Sitting Mohair Chimpanzee, Collectible Vintage Stuffed Monkey, Steiff No Ear Button
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Abalone, Mohair

Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby. Large ceramic figurine of woman.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mari Simmulson (1911-2000) for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden. Large ceramic figurine of a woman. Hand-decorated. Model 9033M Approximately 1960. Marked. Perfect condition. Dimensions: Height ...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Plaster sculpture "Blanzeflor" by Swedish sculptor Stig Blomberg, Sweden, 1942
Located in Hägersten, SE
Sculpture depicting "Blanzeflor" by Swedish sculptor Stig Blomberg. Made ca 1942-43 in Sweden. Plaster on a teak base. Signed by the artist on the back. Good vintage condition with a...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Plaster, Teak

Abstract Modernist Wooden Sculpture, Sweden 1977
Located in Valby, 84
This striking wooden sculpture, crafted in Sweden in 1977, embodies the essence of abstract modernism. With its sleek lines and dynamic form, this piece captivates viewers with its t...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Beech

Sculpture by American born artist David Eisenhauer. Mixed media, Sweden 1985
Located in Hägersten, SE
Sculpture by American born artist David Eisenhauer. Mixed media, made in Sweden in 1985. Signed in pen to the bottom "Sculpture nr 109, David Eisenhauer, 1985." Very good vintage con...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Composition

Original Steiff Rehkiz Germany 50ies
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Steiff Rehkiz Germany 50ies in very good condition
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Mohair

A Pair of Tapio Wirkkala, Bronze Bird Sculptures, Kultakeskus
Located in Helsinki, FI
A couple of nice Tapio Wirkkala bronze bird paper weights. Both items are in beautiful original condition with nice vintage patinas. Although origina...
Category

1970s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Danish Ceramic "Pondus the Penguin" Bank by Knabstrup
Located in San Diego, CA
Scarce large "Pondus the Penguin" bank made from red earthenware pottery by Danish factory Knabstrup, circa 1960s. This is a charming and very collectible piece that is in very good ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Earthenware

Small Articulated Teak Bear Stamped Kay Bojeson
Located in Ferndale, MI
Kay Bojesen wooden bear from the early 1950s in teak . Stamped Kay Bojeson Denmark Copyright . Kay Bojesen from the start in 1932 hand made animal figure toys in his small Copenh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful sculptural book stands designed by Erik Höglund. Produced by Swedish company Boda suring the 1960s. Made in frosted glass. Signed on bottom.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful sculptural book stands designed by Erik Höglund. Produced by Swedish company Boda suring the 1960s. Made in frosted glass. Signed on bottom.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful sculptural book stands designed by Erik Höglund. Produced by Swedish company Boda suring the 1960s. Made in frosted glass. Signed on bottom.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Signed Jacob Hermann Zebrawood Hand Carved Bird Sculpture Denmark 1950s
Located in Troy, MI
Hand crafted bird sculpture by Jacob Hermann Denmark 1950s A rare zebrawood example with ebony tail and eyes on brass feet Impressed signature to underside 5.5 inch width 2 inch dep...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Sculptural Carved Teak Scandinavian Modern Wood Puzzle Box Richard Rothbard
Located in Wayne, NJ
Sculptural Carved Teak Scandinavian Modern Wood Puzzle Box Richard Rothbard . Hidden 3 compartments with insert protectors for jewelry , small storage piec...
Category

1970s American Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Teak

Lovely Set of 6 Scandinavian Wooden Danish Vikings, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Fantastic collection of 6 different Scandinavian Vikings. Measures: The largest is 33.5 cm high. The others are 22 cm, 18 cm, 13.5 cm and 9 cm high.
Category

1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Leather, Wood

Bertil Vallien fo Kosta Boda Sweden miniature sculpture Stair ”Entrance” 1993
Located in Delft, NL
Bertil Vallien fo Kosta Boda Sweden miniature sculpture Stair ”Entrance” 1993
Category

1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Limited Edition Art Glass Bird Sculpture by Oiva Toikka for Iittala of Finland
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous limited edition art glass bird sculpture by Oiva Toikka for Iittala of Finland, circa 1990s. This sculpture is mouth blown and is in great vintage condition with no chips or...
Category

Late 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Gustavsberg Sweden style racehorse figure (Stig Lindberg)
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Beautiful Gustavsberg Sweden style racehorse piece in black with orange and veige painted details Measures: Height: 20 centimeters Length: 25 centim...
Category

20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda Lion miniature sculpture , 1990’s
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 8cm W, 6.5cm H, 2.5cm D Condition: Mint Period: 1990’s Material: Glass Color: Orange
Category

1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Two "Room Jewels" artglass by the Swedish designer Mona Morales-Schildt, Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
Two "Room Jewels" artglass by the Swedish designer Mona Morales Schildt (1908-1999) feature cut and polished glass created using the sommerso technique for Kosta. The pieces stand ap...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda Sweden miniature sculpture , 1990’s
Located in Delft, NL
Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda Sweden miniature sculpture , 1990’s
Category

1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Tall Crystal Glass Ice Sculpture by Bengt Edenfalk for Skruf, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Tall Scandinavian Modern glass ice sculpture, of full lead crystal glass, designed by Bengt Edenfalk for Skruf. Reaches 55.5 cm tall incl. wooden base.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda Sweden Egg miniature sculpture , 1990’s
Located in Delft, NL
Bertil Vallien fo Kosta Boda Sweden miniature sculpture Stair ”Entrance” 1993
Category

1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Small Art Glass Bird Paperweight / Sculpture by Nuutajarvi of Finland
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous small art glass bird paperweight / sculpture by Nuutajarvi of Finland, circa 1980s. The sculpture is mouth blown and is in great vintage condition with no chips or cracks. T...
Category

Late 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda miniature sculpture Bird , 1990’s
Located in Delft, NL
Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda miniature sculpture Bird , 1990’s
Category

1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Lovely Set of 7 Scandinavian Wooden Woodpecker Corkscrews, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Lovely Set of 7 Scandinavian Wooden Woodpecker Corkscrews + 2 WIne Corks, 1960s
Category

1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Gunnar Nylund "Iller" Stonewear Weasel with Stand for Rörstrand Sweden 1960's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund "Iller" Stonewear Weasel with stand for Rörstrand Sweden 1960's A beautiful vintage weasel in stoneware by Gunnar Nylund for Ro¨rstrand, Sweden, circa 1960 in perfec...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Bertil Vallien for Kosta boda Sweden Miniature sculpture Fish , 1990’s
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 9cm W, 4.5cm H, 2.5cm D Period: 1990’s Condition: Mint Material: Glass
Category

1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg. Stoneware figurine. "East"
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg. Stoneware figurine "Öst" (East) from the series "All världens barn" (Children of the World). Perfect condition. Marked. Dimensions: H 12.5 cm x D 7.5 cm.
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Bronze Sculpture - Bengt Amundin 1957 "Urfågeln" - Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely Bronze sculpture by the Swedish artist Bengt Amundin designed in 1957. The sculpture is called "Urfågeln" (The Primeval Bird). The sculpture is 36 cm (14.4") high including ...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Scandinavian Modern Teak Wood Vintage Selection of Seven Animals, 1960s Denmark
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian modern wood vintage seven ( 7 ) animal figures from teak wood, 1960s Denmark. An amazing collection of different types of animals. This lovely animals show Two birds wi...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Teak

Porcelain Owl Sculpture by Lillemor Mannerheim for Arabia of Finland
Located in San Diego, CA
A hard to find porcelain owl sculpture by Lillemor Mannerheim for Arabia of Finland, circa 1980s. Signed on the underside by the artist, the p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg. Rare "Johanna" figurine in glazed ceramics.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg. Rare "Johanna" figurine in glazed ceramics. Late 20th century. Marked. In perfect condition. Dimensions: 15.5 cm x 10.0 cm.
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg. Stoneware figurine. "Children of the World" series
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg. Stoneware figurine from "Children of the World" series. Boy with a bucket. In perfect condition. Marked. Dimensions: H 12.5 cm x D 9.0 cm.
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Ceramic Figure Designed By Bjørn Wiinblad With Design No. V18 From 1975s
Located in Lejre, DK
Ceramic vase designed by Bjørn Wiinblad, with design no. V18 from 1975, produced in Denmark. This vase represents Wiinblad's distinctive style, which often included imaginative and c...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

1950s Artic Musk Ox Arne Tjomsland Mid-Century Scandinavian Norway Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Rare small musk Ox figure/carving. Hand worked Norwegian Pine wood and leather. Burnished makers marks to bottom. Arne Tjomsland was Norways leading souvenir designer in the 1950s...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Scandinavian Modern zigzag patterned Earthenware Hedgehog, 1960s
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This Scandinavian Modern earthenware hedgehog from the 1960s exudes charm with its glazed zigzag pattern on beige fur. The unglazed brown face adds a distinctive touch to its feature...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Earthenware

Vintage Articulated Toy in Oak Elephant by Kay Bojesen, Denmark
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
A real vintage classic - the elephant by Kay Bojesen. Made in Denmark. Early example from the second half of the 20th century.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Pair of Cats in Black Lacquered Wood by Laurids Lønborg, 1960's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Cats in Black Lacquered Wood by Laurids Lønborg, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Black lacquered wood Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced in Denmark Dimension...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Large and Unique Stoneware Rooster by Tyra Lundgren. Sweden, 1955.
Located in Malmö, SE
A stunning and unique stoneware rooster sculpture with amazing glaze. Made by Tyra Lundgren. Executed in her own studio in Sweden, 1955. Great condition, but with a couple of chips to the base (pictured). Signed by the artist in two places, and dated 1955-06-20. Provenance: bought from the estate of the artist in 1979. Tyra Lundgren (1897-1979) was one of the most multifaceted artists and modernists of the twentieth century. She was a painter, drawer, sculptor, ceramist, glass- and textile designer, as well as an author and an art critic. She was the first woman who designed glass for Paolo Venini at Murano in Venice and she also served as the artistic leader at Arabia in Helsinki at a time when men tended to hold those kinds of positions. Tyra Lundgren grew up in Djursholm, near Stockholm. Her parents were John Petter Lundgren, professor at Veterinärinstitutet (institute of veterinary sciences) in Stockholm, and Edith Lundgren née Åberg, who was a housewife and raised their six children. The bourgeois home also comprised a nanny and a female cook. The family were very socially active, travelled often, and enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle. Tyra Lundgren’s schooling began at Djursholm coeducational school, where her teachers included Natanael and Elsa Beskow and Alice Tegnér. Her school friends included Greta Knutson-Tzara, Stellan Mörner, and Ingrid Rydbeck-Zuhr. Tyra Lundgren knew from the time she was five years old that she wanted to be an artist. She first became aware of the profession through Axel Fahlcrantz, who rented a studio on the plot of land where she lived with her family. In 1913 she began to attend Högre konstindustriella skolan (HKS, now known as Konstfack, college of arts, crafts and design) where she studied decorative art as well as handicrafts in various forms until 1917. One of her fellow students and friends there was Estrid Ericson, who later founded Svenskt Tenn AB in 1924. Whilst attending HKS Tyra Lundgren also took painting lessons at the Althin school of painting. In 1917 she was accepted as a candidate at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts where, apart from breaks during which she undertook studies abroad, she remained until 1922. She spent a couple of months taking lessons from Anton Hanak in Vienna and from 1920–1923 she was a student of André Lhote in Paris. Tyra Lundgren was primarily active in four countries: Sweden, Finland, France, and Italy. She spent much of her professional life travelling and considered herself to be a European. Greece and Mexico also formed important centres in her artistic life, as did the USA. She had an extensive social network which included focal individuals within twentieth century-European and American artistic and cultural circles. Tyra Lundgren’s main artistic motifs were birds, fish, and people which she depicted through different techniques and materials. Her artistic expression involved a variety of different directions and styles. She was a pioneer of the 1920s Swedish Grace style, the name of which had been coined by the art critic Morton Shand at the Stockholm Exhibition of 1930. This was a Swedish Art Deco style, characterised by elegance and traditional art which contrasted with the current artistic ideals of functionalism. Tyra Lundgren made her debut at a group exhibition held at Kungliga Akademien för de fria konsterna in 1921. She went on to show her work at various exhibitions throughout the 1920s. After that period she only very rarely exhibited her paintings. Tyra Lundgren’s painted output can be divided into different periods or stylistic directions. The first of these, and the most extensive, was her post-Cubist period which began in 1920 on her arrival in Paris. Her paintings from this time and right up to the mid-1930s typically comprise portraits, self-portraits, live-model painting, still-lifes, interiors, and landscapes in the Cubist style. Many of the great number of self-portraits she painted were produced in the New Objective style, displaying broad variation in terms of clothes, poses and techniques. Two of these – Huvud med vit duk and Självporträtt both from 1921 – can be seen at Moderna Museet in Stockholm, although the majority of these works are at Gotlands Museum. Tyra Lundgren’s second artistic period comprises the years of 1927 to 1929 and is characterised by the New Objective style inspired by medieval techniques and materials (Giotto, Piero della Francesca). Her motifs were still-lifes and landscapes. At this point she was living in Rome and was close to the circle involved in the Valori plastici: rivista d’arte art journal. This period saw a breakthrough in her development as a painter. From the 1950s through the 1970s her work can almost be described as belonging to the Concrete style. Using light pastel colours her paintings sought light in a sometimes non-figurative expression, but often depicting abstract bird-shapes or other nature-inspired imagery. Her paintings from this period are outsized and display powerful colours, in yellows, reds, and blues. Tyra Lundgren maintained a constant production of drawings, both in terms of individual artworks and sketches for patterns and designs. She also produced the illustrations for her book Fagert i Fide. Årstiderna på en gammal gotlandsgård, published in 1961. During her early years she also produced advertising illustrations. She spent the final years of her life primarily working with lithographs which were printed at Galleri Prisma and depicted images of doves, swallows, magpies and crows. Tyra Lundgren is meanwhile best known for her work as a ceramist and in this sphere she was one of Sweden’s leading exponents. She worked in the porcelain industry as a designer and as an artisan and ceramic sculptor. Her first job was at St Eriks Lervarufabrik in Uppsala from 1922–1924, she then worked at Arabia from 1924–1937, and at Rörstrand and Lidköping Porslinsfabrik. She was the artistic leader at Arabia ahead of the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition and she exhibited her work at the World’s Fairs. During the 1934–1938 period she was connected to the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres porcelain factory in Paris. Tyra Lundgren was a pioneer when it came to giving ceramic art a public space in Sweden. She produced around 20 outsized reliefs in stoneware, so-called monumental reliefs. One of these is Märkeskvinnor, from 1947, for the former girls’ school at Bohusgatan in Stockholm. From the 1940s onwards Tyra Lundgren produced sculptural objects in Chamotte clay and stoneware, with various glazings. Her small birds are well-known and popular with many. When her ceramic efforts became too much for her during the 1970s she then produced models for sculptures in bronze. There are six of these in various places around the globe, including Solfågel in Almedalen, Visby. Tyra Lundgren began to work as a glassware designer at Moser in Karlsbad in 1922 where she designed new table services and modernised older ones. She also worked freelance for Riihimäki factory in Finland during the 1924–1929 period. From 1934 to 1938 she was employed by Kosta glass factory where she mainly designed thick-walled bowls and vases, engraved with classical motifs. She was introduced to the glassmaker Paolo Venini at Murano during the Triennale di Milano of 1936 and they began a collaboration that lasted into the 1950s. As part of this collaboration Tyra Lundgren became the first woman to design glassware and, in conjunction with the glassblower Arturo Biasutto, she developed new techniques of glass production. Her motifs at this point were birds, fish, snail-shaped designs and leaf-patterned bowls using traditional techniques as well as in new designs. It was during this time that she created the so-called tissue-shaped bowls and it remains unclear as to who specifically came up with the design but Tyra Lundgren claimed it was of her making. Tyra Lundgren was active as textile designer for Licium (now HV Licium), the sacred textiles...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Scandinavian Modern sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern 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 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 wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern 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 sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Knud Kyhn, Royal Copenhagen, Kay Bojesen, and Arne Tjomsland. 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $135 and tops out at $25,000 while the average work can sell for $1,941.

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