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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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Black Glass Vase - Edvin Ollers - Elme Glassworks, Sweden 1930s
By Edvin Ollers
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely black glass vase in molded glass designed in 1930s by Edvin Ollers and produced at Elme Glassworks in Sweden. The vase is 20,5 cm high and in excellent condition. It is not ...
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
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
Materials
Glass
Nils Landberg for Orrefors, Sweden. Tall and slender art glass vase.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Nils Landberg for Orrefors, Sweden.
Tall and slender art glass vase in clear glass.
1930s/40s.
Signed.
Perfect condition.
Dimensions: H 34.0 cm x D 7.0 cm.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass
Swedish Mid Century Stoneware Vase by Claes Ivarsson for Höganäs Keramik
By Claes Ivarsson, Höganäs Keramik
Located in Örebro, SE
The company Höganäsbolaget shut down its production of stoneware in 1926 to concentrate production on other products.
Two employees, the brothers Gustaf and Oskar Nyman then left the...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Gunnar Nylund, stoneware vase, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Modern / Midcentury
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware vase with beautiful hare fur glaze by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstand, Sweden mid-1900s.
Marked Nylund and Rörstand.
In good condition, smaller signs of age and wear.
About...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Marian Zawadsky for Tilgmans Keramik 1966 MCM Sgraffito Sculptural Floorvase
Located in Frome, GB
This striking work of Swedish Mid-Century Modernist design the signed work of Marian Zawadsky (b. 1912 - d. 1978) a professor, artist, and ceramist who became artistic director for T...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Porceline "Carolina" Vase Designed by Gunnar Nylund For Rörstrand
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautifully shaped "Carolina" vase with a blue / black matte feldspar glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950's for Rörstrand Procelain Works in Denmark.
Gunnar Nylund (1904-1...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Gunnar Nylund, stoneware vase, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware vase with brown hare fur glaze and two small handles, by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden mid-1900s.
In beautiful condition, smaller signs of use and wear.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
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
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
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
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
Large Unique Head Vase Bjørn Wiinblad Handmade Painted Ceramics, Denmark, 1961
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful unique head vase handmade by Bjørn Wiinblad in 1961. Decorated in polychrome glazed earthenware. Very rare and early piece by one of Denmarks finest artist of the 20th cent...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Set of Two Amber Glass Gulvvase Vases by Otto Brauer for Holmegaard
By Holmgaard, Otto Brauer
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 beige and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase Model. 3030, Iittala 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Iittala
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto entered and won a competition held at the Karhula-Iittala glass factory that was organized for the 1937 Paris World Fair. The year was 1936 and Aalto´s entry was called `...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
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
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
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
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
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
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
Scandinavian Modern Vase, Most Possibly by Ryds Glasbruk ca 1960's
Located in Örebro, SE
Scandinavian Modern vase, most possibly from Ryds Glasbruk, ca 1960's.
Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use.
Scratches.
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Glass
Scandinavian Modern Vase "Cirrus" by Bertil Vallien, Boda 1970's
By Bertil Vallien, Boda
Located in Örebro, SE
Scandinavian Modern vase "Cirrus" by Bertil Vallien, Boda 1970's.
Engraved "Boda B Vallien 47533".
One of the most appreciated series, designed in 1973. It consists of objects with a...
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Glass
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
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, Small Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A small blown glass vase designed by Ture Berglund and produced by Skansens Glasbruk, Sweden, 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
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
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
Materials
Porcelain
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
Group of 7 Brown Ceramic Vases, Rörstrand - Gunnar Nylund & Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of seven vases and bowls by Carl-Harry Stålhane, two bowls at Rörstrand and one vase by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950s and 1960s. The vases are between 6.5 - 25.5 cm high and in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Arthur Percy, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
By Arthur Percy, Gefle
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
Søholm Stentøj, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and brown-glazed stoneware vase produced by Søholm Stentøj, Denmark, 1960s.
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases
Materials
Stoneware
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 green-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 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
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
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
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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