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Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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
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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Mid-century Modern Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Clear Glass Contour Vase, 1950s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This glass vase from the Contour series was designed by Vicke Lindstrand for the Swedish glassworks Kosta Glasbruk during the 1950s. It is made of high quality clear crystal glass wi...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Inger Persson for Rörstrand Atelje, Sweden. Ceramic vase with blue-toned glaze.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Inger Persson for Rörstrand Atelje, Sweden. Ceramic vase with blue-toned glaze. Circa 1970. Marked. In perfect condition. Dimensions: Height 11.5 cm x Diameter 10.7 cm.
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Erik Mornils, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green and brown-glazed earthenware vase designed by Erik Mornils and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Olle Alberius for Rörstrand, Sweden. Ceramic vase with blue-toned glaze
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Olle Alberius (1926-1993) for Rörstrand, Sweden. Ceramic vase with a blue-toned glaze. Approximately from the 1960s/70s. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensi...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown 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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Vicke Lindstrand, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase, model Stella Polaris, designed by Vicke Lindstrand and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Wilhelm Kåge, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed stoneware vase designed by Wilhelm Kåge and produced by Gustavsberg, Sweden, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Edvin Öhrström, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown-glass vase designed by Edvin Öhrström and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Edvin Öhrström, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue blown-glass vase designed by Edvin Öhrström and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown Glass

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. Ceramic pitcher with blue and brown glaze
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) for Rörstrand. Ceramic pitcher with a glaze in blue and brown tones. Slender form. Mid-20th century. Marked. In good condition with minimal chipping at the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand. Large ceramic vase with a slender neck.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Carl Harry Stålhane (1920-1990) for Rörstrand. Large ceramic vase with a slender neck. Glaze in brownish tones. Mid-20th century. Marked. In perfect condition. Second factory qualit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 mot...
Category

1970s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Scandinavian Modern vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern vases and vessels 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 vases and vessels created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, stoneware and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern vases and vessels 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 vases and vessels, popular names associated with this style include Rörstrand, Upsala Ekeby, Gunnar Nylund, and Gustavsberg. 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 vases and vessels differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $20,792 while the average work can sell for $1,103.

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