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.
Stunning Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful ceramic vase with a stunning glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 20.5 cm (8.2.) tall. It´s in excellent condition but marked as 1st quality. Gunna...
Stoneware
A Large Green Vase Argenta Wilhelm Kåge Gustavsberg, Silver Decor Dragon
Located in Stockholm, SE
A really rare and stunning cylindric vase with a well-shaped neck of model Argenta 1243 designed by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg, this vase is 35.5 cm (14.2") tall and it is in excell...
Ceramic
Vintage Orrefors Crystal Bowl, Scalloped Design, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A beautifully sculptural vintage crystal bowl by Orrefors, Sweden, distinguished by its elegant scalloped rim and deeply cut vertical facets that create exceptional brilliance and op...
Crystal
Pewter Vase designed by Ellen Schlanbusch for Just Andersen, 1940s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Pewter Vase with Round Cannelated body designed by Ellen Schlanbusch for Just Andersen in the 1940s. * Pewter vase round cannelated body * Designer: Ellen Schlanbusch * Man...
Pewter
Large Art Deco Urn Flambé 1930s - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large ceramic urn designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 30.5 cm (12.2") tall and in excellent condition. It is marked as the photo shows and it is marked as 1st quality, Th...
Ceramic
Large, Stunning Deep Blue Stoneware Vase, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg - 1966
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large stunning blue stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg at Gustavsberg designed in 1966, the vase has a lovely blue har-fur glaze. The vase is 24 cm (9.6") tall and about 21 cm (´8.4"...
Stoneware
Niels Refsgaard Stoneware Vase with Blue Stripes for Danish Design Ltd.
Located in Esbjerg, DK
From the same Danish/Japanese company that made a lot of IHQ 's - Jens Harald Quistgaard designs during the 1970s and 80s comes this stylish vase, pencil or toothbrush holder in glaz...
Stoneware
GAB, Vase, Bronze, Sweden, 1930s
By GAB
Located in High Point, NC
A patinated bronze vase produced by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, c. 1930s. Patina and minor scratches consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 9.25"H x 4.4"D...
Bronze
Group of White Ceramics by Nylund & Stålhane - Rörstrand - Midcentury Modern
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of six pieces of stoneware vases & one bowl with stunning white glazes designed by Gunnar Nylund and Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The vases are between ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Danish Modern Norwegian Pewter Vase Manufactured by Norsk Tinn
By Norsk Solwarreindustri
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Norwegian pewter vase manufactured by Norsk Tinn featuring a raised motif of a warrior on horseback and a V...
Pewter
Stunning Yellow Stoneware Vase, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg - 1968
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning yellow stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg at Gustavsberg designed in 1968, the vase has a lovely har-fur glaze. The vase is 14 cm (5.6") ta...
Stoneware
Lars Hellsten for Orrefors Corona Crystal Bowl, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A sculptural vintage Corona crystal bowl, designed by Lars Hellsten for Orrefors in Sweden during the 1970s. The design is immediately recognizable by its substantial circular base a...
Crystal
Vintage Orrefors Crystal Bowl, Footed Design, Cut Glass, Sweden, 1960
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A refined vintage crystal bowl by Orrefors, distinguished by its softly rounded form, short circular foot, and deeply cut vertical decoration. The repeated faceted cuts rise from the...
Crystal
Gray & Blue Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A gray and blue vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 20 cm (8") high. It is in mint condition and marked as 1st quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in Paris 1904 ...
Ceramic
Mid Century Art Glass Vase by Arthur Pery made in Sweden circa 1950's
By Holmgaard
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century Art Glass vase vase made in Sweden by Arthur Percy c. 1950's. The blown vase features an exaggerated elongated neck over the ball form base. This example is in excellent...
Art Glass
Bronze Art Deco Vase by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s.
By Just Andersen, GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sune Bäckström
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful Art Deco / Swedish Grace bronze vase with amazing patina. Made by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s. Great condition, some light scratches and wear to the pati...
Bronze
Swedish Modern Floor Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's
Located in Uccle, BE
Mid-century ceramic artist Gunnar Nylund's Glazed Stoneware Vase made for Rörstrand, circa 1950s. Incised signature and studio mark to underside: [R Rubus GN Sweden 9]. Image 7: Gunn...
Stoneware
Unique Stoneware Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand - Scandinavian Design
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand in 1965, it´s 7.5 cm (3") tall and it´s in excellent condition. This is a unique vase only made in one copy as you can see of the ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Group of White Ceramics by Nylund & Stålhane - Rörstrand - Midcentury Modern
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of twelve pieces of stoneware vases & one bowl with stunning white glazes designed by Gunnar Nylund and Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The vases are betwe...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Rare Ewald Dahlskog Turquoise Ceramic Vase for Bobergs Fajansfabrik, 1930s
By Ewald Dahlskog, Bobergs Fajansfabrik AB
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A rare ceramic vase designed by Ewald Dahlskog for Bobergs Fajansfabrik in Sweden during the 1930s. The vase has a sculptural form with repeated wave-shaped relief and a turquoise g...
Stoneware
Vintage Midcentury Stoneware Floor Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Large stoneware floor vase by Gunnar Nylund in a classical shape, glazed beautifully with a dramatic dark melange glaze that alternates between green and brown. Gunnar Nylund was on...
Stoneware
Modernist Blue Magic Glass Planter by Michael Bang & Ole Winther for Holmegaard
By Holmegaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish Top Hat shaped planter or large vase in white opaline glass. The glass design is by Michael Bang, the decor by Ole Winther and in was made for a limited times during the 19...
Opaline Glass
Salt-glazed Brown Stoneware Floor Vase by Arthur Andersson for Wallåkra
Located in Grythyttan, SE
A large and magnificent Scandinavian modern brown salt-glazed stoneware vase by Arthur Andersson with horizontal patterns of zig zags and striations relief decor. Inside glazed. Insi...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-Century Vintage Scandinavian Art Crystal Vase, Sculptural Design
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A striking vintage Scandinavian art crystal vase distinguished by its sculptural cylindrical form, softly scalloped rim, and bold oval relief decoration that wraps rhythmically aroun...
Crystal
Small Green Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s.
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s. Great original condition. No chips, cracks or crazing. Incised with signature ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Nils Thorsson for Royal Copenhagen Baca Vase Blue White Ochre, Danish 1970s
By Royal Copenhagen, Nils Thorsson
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Ceramic vase from the Royal Copenhagen "Baca" series designed by Nils Thorsson in the late 1960s. This vase was manufactured in the period 1975 to 1979. It features a geometric pa...
Ceramic
Johanne Gerber Vase by Royal Copenhagen Blue Floral Baca Danish Ceramic 1970s
By Johanne Gerber, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Square ceramic vase from the Royal Copenhagen "Baca" series by Nils Thorsson This decor is designed by Johanne Gerber and made in the period 1969-...
Ceramic
Scandinavian Modern Stoneware vase by Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely, unique miniature stoneware vase by Stig Lindberg, formed like an onion with a slightly asymmetric shape. Embossed striped pattern, glazed light blue and clay.
Stoneware
Stunning Gray Ceramic Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand Midcentury Modern
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning gray ceramic vase with the characteristic speckled glaze designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase is 16.5 cm (6.6") tall and in excellent condition. The vase...
Ceramic
Arne Bang, Vase, Grey and Green Glazed Stoneware, Denmark, 1940s
By Arne Bang
Located in High Point, NC
A grey and green glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Arne Bang, Denmark, 1940s.
Stoneware
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green and orange-glazed earthenware vase, designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Tall, stately stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg in an elegant form with beautiful dark blue hare’s fur glaze. Berndt Friberg was a Swedish ceramicist, renowned for his stoneware vase...
Stoneware
$2,349Sale Price|42% Off
Berndt Friberg, large vase, 46 cm high, Gustavsberg, 1950s
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Uppsala, SE
Large blue vase with hare fur glaze designed by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg studios in the 1950s. Impressive size and much larger than most Friberg vases. The vase has been restor...
Stoneware
Sommerso Glass Vase, from Scandinavia 1950, Signed Nils Landberg Orrefors
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vase Sommerso, is in thick art glass. It is from Scandinavian, circa 1560. It is signed Nils Landberg , with a blue grey color. Orrefors, 1950
Art Glass
A pair of large bronze vases by GAB
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of large Swedish Grace bronze vases, probably designed by Jacob Ängman. Produced by GAB, Sweden , Circa 1930th. Brown-green patinated bronze, bulbous shape with handles and ho...
Bronze
1970s Swedish Stoneware Vase by Curt Addin – Scandinavian Modern / Brutalist
Located in Hannover, DE
This rare Scandinavian modern vase by **Curt Addin**, crafted in Sweden in the 1970s, perfectly balances organic texture with precise design details, making it an exceptional collect...
Pottery
Yellow Ceramic Vase, Sven Wejsfelt, Gustavsberg 1981, Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely dark green vase with a har fur glaze designed by Sven Wejsfelt at Gustavsberg in Stockholm in 1986. The vase is 16.5 cm high. It's marked as on picture. It is in excellent c...
Ceramic
Jerk Werkmäster, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Jerk Werkmäster and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Ceramic
Bronze Art Deco Vase by BOWI, Sweden, 1930s
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Just Andersen, Sune Bäckström, SVM Handarbete 1
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco bronze vase with amazing patina. Made by Bowi brons in Sweden, 1930s. Great condition, with some light scratches. Stamped 'BRONS' and 'BOWI'.
Bronze
White 'Carrara' Vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful 'Swedish Modern' stoneware vase with 'Carrara' glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg in Sweden, 1930s. Great condition. Stamped 'Gustavsberg / CARRARA'. Wilhelm ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Collection of 25 miniature vessels - John Andersson - Höganäs
By Höganäs Keramik, John Andersson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large collection of 25 vessels, most of them designed by John Andersson and all of them produced at Höganäs about 1950s. The tallest one is 9 cm (3.6") and the smallest one is 1.5 ...
Stoneware
1930s Small Bronze GAB Vase
Located in New York, NY
1930s Small Bronze GAB Vase with a decorative flower motif. Manufactured by GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget) in Sweden in has the makers signature at the bottom with model number 265. Age...
Bronze
Arne Bang, Vase, Grey Glazed Stoneware, Denmark, 1940s
By Arne Bang
Located in High Point, NC
A grey glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Arne Bang, Denmark, 1940s.
Stoneware
Bronze Art Deco Vase by SVM Handarbete, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco bronze vase with amazing patina. Made by SVM, Svenska Metallverken AB, Sweden, 1930s. Great condition, with only a few light scratches. Stamped 'HANDARBETE' ...
Bronze
Orange, White, and Clear Art Glass Vase in Scandinavian Modern Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking sculptural vase is decorated with swirling lines of white and transparent orange fused glass, circling the bowl upwards towards the rim and guiding the eye along the curves ...
Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A fluted beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Earthenware
A glass vase by PER LÜTKEN for Holmegaard
By Per Lütken, Holmegaard
Located in Long Island City, NY
A glass vase designed by PER LÜTKEN for Holmegaard, Denmark, circa 1960th. Signed by hand " HOLMEGAARD PL1958".
Art Glass
Swedish ‘Dug-Out Barrel’ / Laggarkärl, 1800s
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish ‘Dug-Out Barrel’ / Laggarkärl, 1800s Its size and stunning organic shape make it truly remarkable. Made from a single solid dug-out pine trunk with an attached bottom, perf...
Pine
Gunnel Nyman, Vase, Glass, Finland, 1940s
By Gunnel Nyman
Located in High Point, NC
A blown yellow and clear glass vase designed and produced by Gunnel Nyman, Finland, c. 1940s.
Glass
Large Green Stoneware Vase - Hans Hedberg, Biot, France
By Hans Hedberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely large green speckled egg-shaped vase designed by the Swedish ceramicist Hans Hedberg, who lived and worked in Biot, France. It is 28.5 cm (11,4") high. It is in excellent co...
Ceramic
Rare Stoneware Vase by Annikki Hovisaari for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Arabia of Finland, Arabia, Annikki Hovisaari
Located in Malmö, SE
A rare and beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Annikki Hovisaari for Arabia, Finland, 1960s Great condition. Incised signature 'AH' and 'ARABIA'. Annikki Hovisaari...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Arthur Andersson for Wallakra, Glazed Vase, Sweden, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Created by the Swedish ceramist Arthur Andersson in the middle of the 20th Century, these voluminous vases are noteworthy for their formal symmetry and their banded designs, which of...
Ceramic
Large Bronze Art Deco Vase by Sune Backstrom, Sweden, 1920s
By Just Andersen, Sune Bäckström, GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Einar Backstrom
Located in Malmö, SE
A large and beautiful bronze vase with amazing patina. Designed by Sune Bäckström in Malmoe, Sweden, 1920s. Great condition. Stamped 'BRONS', model number '9017' and signature 'Su...
Bronze
$2,683Sale Price|20% Off
Silver. Vase by Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus OY, Hämeenlinna, Finland, 1973
Located in Stockholm, SE
This vase In silver was designed by the Finnish master Tapio Wirkkala, whose artistic expression consistently drew inspiration from nature. He himself described how he discovered for...
Sterling Silver
Gertrud Lönegren “Miranda L62” Ceramic Vase for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s
By Rörstrand, Gertrud Lönegren
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A rare “Miranda L62” vase designed by Gertrud Lönegren for Rörstrand, Sweden, during the 1930s. The hand-thrown ceramic vase has a rounded cylindrical form with a yellow and cream-c...
Stoneware
$216Sale Price|45% Off
Danish Art Glass Handkerchief Vase by Holmegaard, White Overlay, 1970s
By Holmegaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Danish organic modern crisp white overlay art glass vase by Holmegaard. Soft flowing asymmetrical handkerchief shape. Beautiful vintage condition. Denmark, 1970s.
Glass, Art Glass
Danish Midcentury Ceramic Vase by Sorgenfri, Floral Relief, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Danish midcentury ceramic vase with floral relief ornaments on front and back on the unglazed brick red body. Shiny white broad lined glaze on sides and top. A Scandinavian piece wit...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Storybirds Set of 4 Ceramics Vessels Kati Tuominen-Niittylä Arabia Finland 1995
By Iittala, Kati Tuominen Niittyla, Arabia of Finland
Located in Miami, FL
Kati Tuominen Niittyla ( b. 1947) produced the Storybirds ceramic series for the Finnish company Arabia. The Storybirds collection of 4 whimsical vessels that double as vases or pitc...
Ceramic, Pottery
Isak Isaksson Green Ceramic Vase Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A green vase with a lovely crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 9 cm (3.55") tall and about 12.5 cm (5") wide and it is in excellent condition. This is ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
"Karneval" Faience vase by Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Faience “Karneval” vase by Stig Lindberg, in a clean cylinder shape. Beautiful, playful motif of a woman riding a horse, a man playing a trumpet on the other side. The rim is unglaze...
Faience