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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
Nittsjö, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow-glazed earthenware vase with relief decor, designed and produced by Nittsjö, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Nordic White Hand-Decorated Blue Floral Ceramic Vase, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Midcentury Scandinavian midcentury modern handmade ceramic studio soft shaped vase. White base with hand-painted lined decor with large white flowers outlined in blue. Signed under b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware

Peter Ipsens Enke, Vase, Blue Glazed Stoneware, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Peter Ipsens Enke, Denmark, 1940s.
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Stoneware vase - Hertha Bengtson - Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase designed by Hertha Bengtsson at Rörstrand, the vase is 13 cm (5.2") high and in excellent condition, it´s marked as 1:st quality.
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Ingrid Atterberg, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An orange and white semi-glazed earthenware vase, designed by Ingrid Atterberg and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1950s.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A grey and brown-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1940s. “GN SWEDEN” stamp on bottom
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Raus Keramik, Freeform Vase, Glazed Stoneware, Sweden, c. 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown/ yellow glazed organic stoneware vase produced by Raus Keramik, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Michael Andersen, Vase, Green Glazed Stoneware, Bornholm, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A green glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Michael Andersen & Son, Bornholm, Denmark, 1960s.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage Danish Stoneware Vase and Bowl by Jørgen Mogensen 1970s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Stoneware Vase and Bowl by Jørgen Mogensen 1970s Set of vase and bowl in stoneware designed by Danish artist Jørgen Mogensen. Tall square vase with abstract motifs in...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Miniature Blue Bowl - Gunnar Nylund - 1950-1960s - Mid 20th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A miniature bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the bowl is 4,5 cm (1.8") high and 8 cm (3,2") in diameter. It is in mint condition except from a minor mark in the glaze fr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Marianne Starck, Vase, Glazed Stoneware, Michael Andersen, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and white glazed stoneware vase designed by Marianne Starck and produced by Michael Andersen, Denmark, 1960s.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Lovely Brown Ceramic Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand - Mid 20th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase with a lovely brown glaze designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase is 28,5 cm (11.4") high and in excellent condition. The vase is marked as 2nd quality. Carl-...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Early Modernist Glass Vase by Sven X:et Erixson for Kosta, Sweden, 1930s
By Sven Erixson 2, Kosta Glasbruk 1
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rare and striking glass vase designed by celebrated Swedish modernist painter/sculptor Sven X:et Erixson (1899-1970) for Kosta.
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Large Polychrome Stoneware Vase by Gösta Millberg, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This is a absolutely fabulous stoneware vase with polychrome decoration designed by Gösta Millberg for Rörstrand in Sweden. It's part of a limited series from a studio production. Th...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A pink 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, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed fluted vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Alvar Aalto for Iittala. Three vases in green, white and clear art glass.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Alvar Aalto for Iittala. Three vases in green, white and clear art glass. High quality, late 20th century. Largest measures: 14 x 12 cm. Stamped. In very good condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Danish Faiance Baca Vase and Bowls by Nils Thorsson 1970s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Faiance baca vase and bowls by Nils Thorsson for Royal Copenhagen, 1970s Danish Modern set of vase, lidded box and square bowl. Vase, model no: 870/3259, 7.5 x 7.5...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Faience

Nittsjö, Vase, Yellow-Glazed Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow-glazed earthenware ceramic vase with floral relief motifs by Nittsjö produced in Sweden, 1940s. It is signed on the underside.  
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Large Ceramic Floor Vase, Hertha Bengtson, Rörstrand Dark Yellow and Gray
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large vase designed by Hertha Bengtsson at Rörstrand, the vase is 39 cm (15,6") high and in excellent condition, it´s marked as 1:st quality.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish 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

"Karneval" Faience vase by Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Faience “Karneval” vase by Stig Lindberg, in a clean cylinder shape. Beautiful, playful motif of a woman with a rooster in her arms on one side, and a bird on the other. The rim is u...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Faience

"Karneval" Faience vase by Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Faience

Group of 5 Black Vases Ceramics, Rörstrand Carl-Harry Stålhane, Midcentury
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of five black vases designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vases are between 10 - 34 cm high and in excellent condition except from some minor marks and scratches....
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

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

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-glazed incised vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Andersson & Johansson, Vase, Glazed Stoneware, Höganäs, Sweden 1920s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown, glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Andersson & Johansson, Höganäs, Sweden, c. 1920s.
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

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

Nils Landberg Elongated "Tulip" Vase
Located in New York, NY
Delicate and ethereal 'Tulipglas' vase with dramatically elongated, fluting body on a slender column and flaring base. Rose/clear coloration. Designed by Nils Landberg and produced b...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Eva Jancke-Björk, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed and incised earthenware vase, designed by Eva Jancke-Björk, and produced by Bo Fajans, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Blue and Green Stoneware Vase by Yngve Blixt, Höganäs, Sweden, 1957
Located in Malmö, SE
Early and unique stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Yngve Blixt, in his studio in Höganäs, Sweden, 1957. Excellent condition. Incised Yngve Blixt, Höganäs, 1957. Yngv...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Jerk Werkmäster, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase, designed by Jerk Werkmäster and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Group of 8 Miniature Vases, Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane Mid-Century Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of eight vases most of them with the characteristic harfur glaze in different colors. They are between 7.5 - 4 cm high. All of them are designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rör...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Upsala-Ekeby, Vase, Black and Orange-Glazed Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A black and orange, glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
An incised 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 beige-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, Green-Glazed Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green, glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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

Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg in a smooth, bulbous form. Pale yellow hare’s fur glaze. Berndt Friberg was a Swedish ceramicist, renowned for his stoneware vases and vessel...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Orrefors Scandinavian Modernist Transparent Blown Crystal Glass Bubble Vase 60s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful this heavy Scandinavian stunning crystal Orrefors glass vase has incised half and full circles alternating patterns. It is elegant and ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown Glass

Green & Brown Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A green vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 23 cm (9.2") high. It is in mint condition and marked as 2nd quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in Paris 1904 with par...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

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

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Töreboda Keramik, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green and grey-glazed earthenware vase, designed and produced by Töreboda Keramik, Sweden c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Unique Green, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Mid-Century Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely Midcentury Swedish vase in ceramics designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase has a lovely green glaze. The vase is 12.5 cm high and in mint condition. This vas...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Upsala-Ekeby, Vase, Green-Glazed Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green, glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Upsala-Ekeby, Green-Glazed Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green, glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson 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 grey-glazed fluted stoneware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, 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 green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

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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