Scandinavian Modern Vases
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
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden and Finland
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus and modernism; influenced American mid-century modernism
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
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
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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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Scandinavian Modern
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
Materials
Earthenware
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
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
Materials
Glass
Set of Two Amber Glass Gulvvase Vases by Otto Brauer for Holmegaard
By Otto Brauer, Holmgaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Best known for this ”Gulvvase" design from 1962, Otto Brauer (1911–1984) started his career in the Danish glass industry at only 14 years of age and worked at the Holmegaard glasswor...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Vases
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
Materials
Glass
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 Vases
Materials
Stoneware
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
Materials
Blown Glass
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
Materials
Ceramic
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
Materials
Ceramic
Ulrica Hydman Vallien for Kosta Boda, Sweden, Vase in Mouth Blown Art Glass
Located in Bochum, NRW
Ulrica Hydman Vallien for Kosta Boda, Sweden. Vase in mouth blown art glass decorated with women's face. Swedish design, 1980s.
Measures: 9.5 x 5 cm.
In perfect condition.
Signed.
Category
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
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
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
Materials
Glass
Inger Persson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An orange-glazed stoneware vase designed by Inger Persson and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
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 Vases
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
Materials
Ceramic
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
Arthur Percy, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
By Gefle, Arthur Percy
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
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
Materials
Ceramic
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
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 Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Christer Heijl, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white and green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Christer Heijl and produced by Töreboda Keramik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Bo Fajans, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1940s
By Bo Fajans
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
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
Materials
Blown Glass
Arthur Percy, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
By Arthur Percy, Gefle
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed ceramic vase designed by Arthur Percy and produced by Gefle, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
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
Materials
Earthenware
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
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
Materials
Ceramic
Ellis Berg, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1930s
By Kosta Boda
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
Materials
Glass
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
Materials
Stoneware
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
Materials
Ceramic
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
Materials
Stoneware
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
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
Materials
Ceramic
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
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
Materials
Ceramic
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
Materials
Glass
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
Materials
Ceramic
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
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
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
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
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
Materials
Blown Glass
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 Vases
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
Materials
Blown 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
Materials
Glass
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand Ateljé. Ceramic vase in green and black tones.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Carl Harry Stålhane (1920-1990) for Rörstrand Ateljé, Sweden.
Ceramic vase in green and black tones.
1960s.
Marked.
In perfect condition.
Second factory quality.
Dimensions: H 10.0 ...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Arthur Percy, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
By Arthur Percy
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
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
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
Materials
Glass
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
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
Materials
Blown Glass
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
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
Materials
Ceramic
Danish Designer, Vase, Grey Glazed Stoneware, Denmark, 1987
Located in High Point, NC
A grey glazed stoneware vase designed and produced in Denmark, 1970s.
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Scandinavian Modern vases for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern vases 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 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 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, 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 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 $1,110.
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