Skip to main content

Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

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. 

7
4,936
128
83
to
572
3,728
1,386
5,147
5,091
5,127
23,648
14,532
8,178
3,813
2,967
2,101
1,582
1,266
1,251
1,129
1,067
929
901
802
616
616
592
10
70
4,856
211
107
3,737
770
6
4
46
454
438
731
1,046
439
136
69
Height
to
Width
to
2,811
1,005
978
893
430
5,028
4,550
3,170
1,137
311
397
259
254
227
184
Style: Scandinavian Modern
Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A an off-white and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Ture Berglund, Bottle, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass bottle designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Ture Berglund, Small Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A small blown glass vase designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Christer Heijl, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Christer Heijl and produced by Töreboda Keramik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Arthur Percy, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Arthur Percy and produced by Gefle, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Ture Berglund, Bottle, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass bottle designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Ture Berglund, Bottle, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass bottle designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Scandinavian Modern Vase "Cirrus" by Bertil Vallien, Boda 1970's
Located in Örebro, SE
Scandinavian Modern vase "Cirrus" by Bertil Vallien, Boda 1970's. Engraved "Boda B Vallien 47533". One of the most appreciated series, designed in 1973. It consists of objects with a...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Søholm Stentøj, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and brown-glazed stoneware vase produced by Søholm Stentøj, Denmark, 1960s.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Ture Berglund, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass vase designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Ellis Berg, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow tinted glass vase designed by Ellis Berg and produced by Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Ture Berglund, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass vase designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A white-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Swedish Designer, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A light-grey and brown-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced in Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Heidi Fournier for Kähler, Denmark. Large ceramic bowl with floral motifs
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Heidi Fournier for Kähler, Denmark. Large ceramic bowl. Floral motifs on a cream-coloured base. Approximately from the 1960s. In perfect condition with natural crackling from produc...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Danish Nils Kähler for HAK Kähler Large Wide Vase with Greyish-brown Glaze 1970s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Large wide vase with sweeping shape, made of chamotte clay which gives the surface an rustic expression. The glaze is greyish-brown, with a satin look at the body of the vase and gl...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Ture Berglund, Bottle, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass bottle designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Bo Fajans, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A grey-glazed incised ceramic vase designed and produced by Bo Fajans, Gefle, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Architectural Scandinavian Candlesticks in Brass, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of brass candlesticks designed and manufactured in Scandinavian during the 1970s. Interesting architecturally inspired 'Ball' shaped center pieces. The candlesticks are to be ...
Category

1970s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Jerk Werkmäster, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed ceramic vase designed by Jerk Werkmäster and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A light grey and black-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Riihimäen Lasi, Vase, Glass, Finland, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue glass vase designed and produced by Riihimäen Lasi, Finland, 1930s.
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A white and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Bruno Karlsson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and beige-glazed stoneware vase designed by Bruno Karlsson and produced by Ego Stengods, Sweden, 1960s.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Sigvard Bernadotte for Georg Jensen. Large strawberry bowl in sterling silver.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sigvard Bernadotte for Georg Jensen. Large strawberry bowl in sterling silver. Designed with clean lines. Model: 856A The design year 1943. In perfect condition. Year stamp S10 = 19...
Category

1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Porceline Vase Designed by Carl-Mary Stålhane For Rörstrand
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful blue / green vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane (1920‑1990) for Röstrand Procelain Works Stålhand started working for Rorstrand at the age of 18. Initially, he decorat...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Ture Berglund, Bottle, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass bottle designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Motala Lervarufabrik, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed vase designed and produced by Motala Lervarufabrik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Severin Brørby's Scandinavian Furu Vase from Hadeland Glassverk
Located in Søgne, NO
Severin Brørby's Iconic Furu Vase from Hadeland Glassworks The Furu Vase: This Furu vase is a timeless piece that highlights Severin Brørby's distinctive style. With its relief moti...
Category

1970s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Sylvia Leuchovius for Rörstrand. Ceramic vase with dark-toned glaze.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sylvia Leuchovius (1915–2003) for Rörstrand. Ceramic vase with dark-toned glaze. 1960s/70s. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensions: H 10.0 x D 9.3 cm.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Ture Berglund, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass vase designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Arthur Percy, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Arthur Percy and produced by Gefle, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blue blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Knut Bergqvist Attribution, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow blown glass vase attributed to Knut Bergqvist for Lindefors Glasbruk, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Letter Tray Desk Organizer Rosewood Danish Desktop Georg Petersen Mobelfabrik
Located in Hyattsville, MD
This is the early production Selectform model, designed and made by Georg Petersen Mobelfabrik A/S. This example retains the Georg Petersens Mobelfabrik A/S label and Danish Furnitu...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg. Unique ceramic bowl. Hare's fur glaze.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Berndt Friberg (1899-1981) for Gustavsberg. Unique ceramic bowl. Hare's fur glaze in blue and aubergine tones. Signed. Year code Ö = 1958. Perfect condition. Dimensions: D 11.5 cm x ...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg. Large unique ceramic vase. Hare's fur glaze
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Berndt Friberg (1899-1981) for Gustavsberg. Large unique ceramic vase. Hare's fur glaze in light brown tones. Mid-20th century. Signed. Perfect condition. Dimensions: H 20.5 cm x W ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Sylvia Leuchovius for Rörstrand. Ceramic vase in green and blue tones
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sylvia Leuchovius (1915-2003) for Rörstrand. Ceramic vase with glaze in green and blue tones. 1960s/70s. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensions: H 11.7 x D ...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg. Ceramic vase with a slender neck. Ca 1960
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Ceramic vase with a slender neck. Glazed in blue tones. Approximately from the 1960s. In perfect condition. Dimensions: Height 22.5 cm x Diame...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden. Ceramic vase with floral motifs
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mari Simmulson (1911-2000) for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden. Ceramic vase with floral motifs. Polychrome glaze. Approximately from the 1960s. Marked. In perfect condition. Dimensions: H 19....
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Danish Modern Ceramic Vase by Per Linnemann-Schmidt for Palshus, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Ceramic Vase by Per Linnemann-Schmidt for Palshus, 1960s. Torpedo shaped ceramic vase with hares fur glaze in green/sage by Palshus, Denmark. Palshus was established by...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Large Unique Head Vase Bjørn Wiinblad Handmade Painted Ceramics, Denmark, 1961
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful unique head vase handmade by Bjørn Wiinblad in 1961. Decorated in polychrome glazed earthenware. Very rare and early piece by one of Denmarks finest artist of the 20th cent...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand. Large square ceramic bowl. Mid-20th C.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Carl Harry Stålhane (1920-1990) for Rörstrand. Large square ceramic bowl with glaze in blue and green shades. Mid-20th century. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Suzanne Öhlén for Rörstrand. Ceramic vase in brown and white glaze
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Suzanne Öhlén (born 1953) for Rörstrand, Sweden. Ceramic vase with glaze in brown and white tones. 1980s. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensions: H 15.0 cm ...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Suzanne Öhlén for Rörstrand. Ceramic vase with glaze in light tones.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Suzanne Öhlén (born 1953) for Rörstrand, Sweden. Porcelain vase with glaze in light tones. 1970s/80s. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensions: H 15.0 cm x D ...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Scandinavian Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern decorative objects 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 decorative objects 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 ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, Gustavsberg, and Upsala Ekeby. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $48 and tops out at $149,456 while the average work can sell for $883.

Recently Viewed

View All