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
Royal Copenhagen Tenera Tall Ceramic Vase by Inge-Lise Koefoed
Located in Miami, FL
This exquisite Danish Modern vase from the Tenera line by Royal Copenhagen (Aluminia) was designed by Inge-Lise Koefoed in the 1960s. The glazed ceramic vase features hand-painted mo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An unglazed brown stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Upsala Ekeby, Vases, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of beige and orange-glazed earthenware vases designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
“EKEBY 97” stamp on bottom
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable green and beige-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Danish Modern Per Lutken Flamingo Series Teardrop Glass Vessel for Holmegaard
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant shaped Danish Modern vessel from the 1950s designed by Per Lutken for the Holmegaard glass factory in Denmark. This asymmetrical handmade teardrop shaped form was part of the...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Eva Jancke-Björk, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A grey and yellow-glazed earthenware vase designed by Eva Jancke-Björk and produced Bo Fajans, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Danish Designer, Vase, Earthenware, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A white-glazed fluted earthenware vase, designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Just Andersen, Small Vase, Disko Metal, Denmark, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A small disko metal vase, designed and produced by Just Andersen, Denmark, c. 1930s.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Metal
Danish Designer, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A fluted, green-glazed stoneware vase, designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
GAB, Small Vase, Bronze, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A small bronze vase, designed and produced by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Bronze
Vicke Lindstrand, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue and brown-glazed earthenware vase designed by Vicke Lindstrand 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 yellow-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 blue-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Vicke Lindstrand, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and yellow-glazed earthenware vase designed by Vicke Lindstrand and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
“341” stamp on bottom
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A black and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Jerk Werkmäster, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed earthenware vase designed by Jerk Werkmäster and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
“434 / KK” signature on bottom
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Ten Gray Per Lütken Designed Cylinder Vases From Holmegaard
Located in Doraville, GA
Ten vintage Holmegaard smoke gray, hand blown, cylinder vases designed by Per Lütken.
Per Lütken (1916–1998) was a Danish glassware designer who st...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Nittsjö, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed earthenware vase with relief ornamentation, designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Mid-Century Upsala-Ekeby "Grofit" Vase by Mari Simmulson
Located in Sacramento, CA
Mid-century “Grofit” vase by Mari Simmulson for Upsala-Ekeby, made in Sweden. The vase is very dark brown, with a handle and a patterned base. Marked on the underside and with a stic...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Pottery
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
AB ML, Vase, Pewter, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A pewter vase designed and produced by AB ML, Sweden, 1930s. With personal inscription.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Pewter
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A green and white-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Svend Hammershøi, Vase, Earthenware, Denmark, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A white and black-glazed earthenware vase designed by Svend Hammershøi and produced by Herman A. Kähler Keramik, Denmark, c. 1930s.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Danish Designer, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A black grey and brown-glazed stoneware vase designed and produced in Denmark, 1960s.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
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
Materials
Earthenware
Six Sapphire Blue Per Lütken Designed Drop Vases From Holmegaard
Located in Doraville, GA
Six Holmegaard sapphire blue, hand blown, Dråben "The Drop", vases designed by Per Lütken. The secret to the shape, as with many of Per Lütken's Holmegaard designs, is the process of using steam from a wet wooden pin, inserted in the gather of glass to blow the bubble. "The Drop" design was produced by the Danish company until 1973.
Per Lütken (1916–1998) was a Danish glassware...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Two Gray Per Lütken Designed Drop Vases From Holmegaard
Located in Doraville, GA
Two Holmegaard gray, hand blown, Dråben "The Drop", vases designed by Per Lütken. The secret to the shape, as with many of Per Lütken's Holmegaard designs, is the process of using steam from a wet wooden pin, inserted in the gather of glass to blow the bubble. "The Drop" design was produced by the Danish company until 1973.
Per Lütken (1916–1998) was a Danish glassware...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and orange-glazed earthenware vase, designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Arabia, Vase, Stoneware, Finland, 1940s
By Arabia
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed and silvered stoneware vase, designed and produced by Arabia, Finland, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Ture Berglund, Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A glass vase designed by True Berglund and produced by Skansen Glas, Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Glass
Just Andersen, Small Vase, Pewter, Denmark, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A 1930s vase by Just Andersen, Denmark. Base marked "Just A Denmark" and model number. Pewter.
Other designers of the period include Kaare Klint, Hans-Agne Jacobson, Paavo Tynell,...
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Pewter
Danish Designer, Vase, Bronze, Denmark, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A bronze vase with handles, designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1930s.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Bronze
Danish Designer, Vase, Pewter, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pewter vase designed and produced in Denmark, 1940s.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Pewter
Knut Momqvist, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-glazed and hand-painted earthenware vase designed by Knut Momqvist and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Lillemor Mannerheim, Small Vase, Porcelain, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A small cream white porcelain vase, designed by Lillemor Mannerheim and produced by Gefle, Sweden, 1950s.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Four Smoky Gray Per Lütken Designed Duckling Vases From Holmegaard
Located in Doraville, GA
Four vintage Holmegaard smoke gray, hand blown, duckling vases designed by Per Lütken.
Per Lütken (1916–1998) was a Danish glassware designer who s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Peter Ipsens Enke, Vases, Stoneware, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of blue-glazed and fluted stoneware vases designed and produced by Peter Ipsens Enke, Denmark, 1940s.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Upsala Ekeby Attribution, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow glazed and incised earthenware vase attributed to Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware, Ceramic
Nordtenn, Vase, Pewter, Sweden, c. 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A pewter vase, designed and produced by Nordtenn, Sweden, c. 1930s
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Pewter
Just Andersen, Vase, Disko Metal, Denmark, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A disko metal vase designed and produced by Just Andersen, Denmark, 1930s.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Metal
Otto Brauer Danish Modern Red & White Cased Glass Gulvvase for Holmegaard
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Large iconic cased glass Gulvvase designed by Otto Brauer and made in Denmark by Holmegaard. This vase is the medium size and has a red exterior with a white interior. The last picture shows it with a Swedish Argenta...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Glass
Töreboda Keramik, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and orange-glazed earthenware vase, designed and produced by Töreboda Keramik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Swedish Designer, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Andersson & Johansson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A black, 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
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
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
Materials
Earthenware
Eva Jancke-Björk, Small Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A small yellow and green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Eva Jancke-Björk and produced by Bo Fajans, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Nittsjö, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase with relief decoration, designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Danish Modern Solid Teak Geometric Freeform Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
An incredible solid teak freeform Danish Teak vase, circa 1950's nice condition not signed.
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Teak
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
Erik Mornils, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Erik Mornils and produced by Nittsjö, 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 and incised earthenware vase, designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Nittsjö, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, c. 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A white-glazed earthenware vase, designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Rörstrand, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
A green and yellow-glazed stoneware vase, designed and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage "Pinus" Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkalla for Iitalla
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage glass crystal "Pinus" (translates to 'Pine' in English) vase by Tapio Wirkalla for Iitalla. Inspired by the natural organic forms of wood and ice.
Artist: Tapio Wirkalla
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Crystal
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A fluted beige and green-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-glazed earthenware vase, designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Bo Fajans, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1940s
By Bo Fajans
Located in High Point, NC
An orange and beige-glazed vase designed and produced by Bo Fajans, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, 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
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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