Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
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.
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Pewter
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Earthenware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Faience
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Wood
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Iron
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Art Glass
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Pewter
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Pottery
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Blown Glass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1910s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Glass
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Iron
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Art Glass, Ash
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Brass, Pewter
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Gold Leaf
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Glass
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Silver
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Glass
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Clay
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1990s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Glass
20th Century Dutch Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Brass
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1920s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Pewter
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Plastic
1910s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Glass
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Art Glass
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Crystal
1920s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels
Earthenware