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 Ships From: USA
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
Materials
Blown 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
Peter Ipsens Enke, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Peter Ipsens Enke, Denmark, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Swedish Designer, Freeform Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed freeform vase designed and produced in 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
An orange and beige-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced in Sweden, c. 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
Blown Glass
Reijmyre Glasbruk, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-coloroured blown glass vase by Reijmyre 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 and black-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
GAB Sweden Bronze Vase, 1940s
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A beautiful art deco vase produced by GAB, Guldsmedsaktiebolaget circa 1940s. Appearing to have been enagraved at some point. Great patina throughout- please reference photos for col...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Bronze
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.
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
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
Eva Jancke-Björk, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
An orange and beige-glazed ceramic vase designed by Eva Jancke-Björk and produced by Bo Fajans, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1950s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A hand-painted blue and white earthenware vase by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1950s.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Tinos, Small Vase, Bronze, Denmark, 1930s
By Tinos
Located in High Point, NC
A small bronze bowl designed and produced by Tinos, Denmark, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Bronze
Eva Jancke-Björk, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-glazed ceramic vase designed by Eva Jancke-Björk and produced by Bo Fajans, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
Töreboda Keramik, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A cream-white and orange-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Töreboda Keramik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
1950s Ceramic vase by Gunnar Nylund
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1950s Ceramic vase model ARL by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden. In a good condition.
Dimensions: H 8 in. x W 3 in. x D 3 in.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced in 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 beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Greta Runeborg, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and brown-semi-glazed and incised earthenware vase designed by Greta Runeborg and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
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
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson 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 cream-white and green-glazed fluted vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Ernst Svedbom, Vase, Pewter, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A pewter vase designed and produced by Ernst Svedbom, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Pewter
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
Christer Heijl, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Christer Heijl and produced by Töreboda Keramik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Arthur Percy, Bowl, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
By Arthur Percy
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic bowl designed by Arthur Percy and produced by Gefle, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Edward Hald, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1930s
By Edward Hald
Located in High Point, NC
A smoked and fluted blown glass vase designed by Edward Hald and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Glass
Swedish Designer, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and beige ceramic vase designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Herman Kahler Yellow Danish Ceramic
Located in Oakland, CA
Herman Kahler yellow ceramic vase, Denmark. Signed.
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
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
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed fluted 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 and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige-glazed fluted stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Arne Bang Danish Stoneware Ceramic Vase in Blue
By Arne Bang
Located in Oakland, CA
Arne Bang fluted stoneware ceramic vase in blue glaze, signed, 1901-1983 Denmark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Bud Vase by Gunnar Nylund
Located in San Francisco, CA
A small bud vase with hare's fur glaze in running colors of blue and green. By Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, and marked accordingly.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
An orange and beige 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 green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Signe Persson-Melin, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1954
Located in High Point, NC
A brown ceramic vase designed and produced by Signe Persson-Melin, Sweden, 1954.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Andersson & Johansson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and orange-glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Andersson & Johansson, Höganäs, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Saxbo Danish Ceramic Stoneware Vase
By Saxbo
Located in Oakland, CA
Saxbo Danish ceramic, 1940 Denmark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
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
Early Tapio Wirkkala "Winter Journey" Tall White Porcelain Vase
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Tall Tapio Wirkkala, Rut Bryk "Winterreise" White Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal. Circa 1980. Featuring a flared polygonal column form on 3.75D base with winter landscape Black line d...
Category
1980s German Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Porcelain
GAB, Vase, Bronze, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A bronze vase designed and produced by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Bronze
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and brown-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
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.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Andersson & Johansson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A red, beige and brown-glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Andersson & Johansson, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Peter Ipsens Enke, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed fluted stoneware vase designed and produced by Peter Ipsens Enke, Denmark, 1940s.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Andersson & Johansson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable green-glazed and fluted vase designed and produced by Andersson & Johansson, Höganäs, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and brown-glazed incised earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson 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 and off-white-glazed 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 and beige-glazed fluted vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
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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