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
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.
Stunning Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful ceramic vase with a stunning glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 20.5 cm (8.2.) tall. It´s in excellent condition but marked as 1st quality. Gunna...
Stoneware
Gray Speckled Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand Midcentury Modern
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Gray Speckled ceramic vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase is 15 cm (6") tall and in excellent condition, it is 1st quality. Carl-Harry Stålhane is one of t...
Ceramic
Large Art Deco Urn Flambé 1930s - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large ceramic urn designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 30.5 cm (12.2") tall and in excellent condition. It is marked as the photo shows and it is marked as 1st quality, Th...
Ceramic
A Large Green Vase Argenta Wilhelm Kåge Gustavsberg, Silver Decor Dragon
Located in Stockholm, SE
A really rare and stunning cylindric vase with a well-shaped neck of model Argenta 1243 designed by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg, this vase is 35.5 cm (14.2") tall and it is in excell...
Ceramic
Green Ceramic pitcher with lizard - Art Deco - Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning green ceramic Art Deco-pitcher designed at Upsala Ekeby in the 1930s, probably by Harald Östergren. It has a stunning handle in shape of a lizard climbing into the pitche...
Ceramic
Large, Stunning Deep Blue Stoneware Vase, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg - 1966
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large stunning blue stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg at Gustavsberg designed in 1966, the vase has a lovely blue har-fur glaze. The vase is 24 cm (9.6") tall and about 21 cm (´8.4"...
Stoneware
Group of White Ceramics by Nylund & Stålhane - Rörstrand - Midcentury Modern
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of six pieces of stoneware vases & one bowl with stunning white glazes designed by Gunnar Nylund and Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The vases are between ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stunning Yellow Stoneware Vase, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg - 1968
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning yellow stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg at Gustavsberg designed in 1968, the vase has a lovely har-fur glaze. The vase is 14 cm (5.6") ta...
Stoneware
Swedish Modern Floor Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's
Located in Uccle, BE
Mid-century ceramic artist Gunnar Nylund's Glazed Stoneware Vase made for Rörstrand, circa 1950s. Incised signature and studio mark to underside: [R Rubus GN Sweden 9]. Image 7: Gunn...
Stoneware
Gray & Blue Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A gray and blue vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 20 cm (8") high. It is in mint condition and marked as 1st quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in Paris 1904 ...
Ceramic
Round Black Bowl - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand Atelier - Mid-20th Century
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A round, black ceramic bowl designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand, the bowl is 15,5 cm (6,2") in diameter. It is in excellent condition except from some minor scratches and ma...
Ceramic
Large Brown Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand Midcentury Modern
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large brown ceramic vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase is 17.5 cm (7") tall and in excellent condition except from some minor stains in the glaze. The vase...
Ceramic
$196Sale Price|69% Off
Ulsnes Keramik Handmade Stoneware Pitcher, Scandinavian Modern, 1980s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade stoneware pitcher made by Ulsnes Keramik on the small Danish island of Langeland in the 1980s. Warm caramel brown glaze with hand-carved organic swirling pattern on one side...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay, Pottery
Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand. Two miniature stoneware vases, mid-20th c.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand Two Miniature Vases, mid 20th century. Two wheel-thrown stoneware miniature vases with richly saturated glazes in deep violet and brownish tones, bo...
Stoneware
Arthur Andersson for Wallakra, Glazed Vase, Sweden, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Created by the Swedish ceramist Arthur Andersson in the middle of the 20th Century, these voluminous vases are noteworthy for their formal symmetry and their banded designs, which of...
Ceramic
Stunning Gray Ceramic Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand Midcentury Modern
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning gray ceramic vase with the characteristic speckled glaze designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase is 16.5 cm (6.6") tall and in excellent condition. The vase...
Ceramic
Group of White Ceramics by Nylund & Stålhane - Rörstrand - Midcentury Modern
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of twelve pieces of stoneware vases & one bowl with stunning white glazes designed by Gunnar Nylund and Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The vases are betwe...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Unique Stoneware Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand - Scandinavian Design
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand in 1965, it´s 7.5 cm (3") tall and it´s in excellent condition. This is a unique vase only made in one copy as you can see of the ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Francesca Lindh Flowers Wavy Stoneware Wall Relief, Arabia 1970s
By Francesca Mascitti Lindh, Arabia of Finland
Located in Helsinki, FI
A truly beautiful and one of a kind piece designed by the Finnish Italian Francesca Lindh. Born in Italy, Lindh had a glaring and individual approach to ceramics. Her work has been o...
Stoneware
Lovely Blue Ceramic Vase, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg - Mid 20th Century
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A blue vase designed by Berndt Friberg at Gustavsberg in Stockholm, the vase is 12 cm tall and about 9 cm in diameter. It has a beautiful blue glaze, it is marked as on picture and w...
Ceramic
Axel Salto Scandinavian Modern Stoneware Cup no. 20702 Solfatara Glazing, 1944
By Royal Copenhagen, Axel Salto
Located in Odense, DK
A richly textured stoneware cup by Axel Salto, model 20702, executed at Royal Copenhagen and finished in Salto’s celebrated Solfatara glaze. This sculptural form—characterized by its...
Stoneware
Unique Ceramic Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand Midcentury Modern 1951
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A unique ceramic vase with a lovely glaze designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase is 17 cm (6.8") tall and in excellent condition. The vase is dated 1951. Carl-Harry...
Ceramic
Large Stoneware Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Brown Rubus, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stoneware vase in the Rubus-serie designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, it is 22.5 cm (9") high. It is in mint condition but marked as 2nd quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in ...
Stoneware
Isak Isaksson Green Ceramic Vase Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A green vase with a lovely crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 9 cm (3.55") tall and about 12.5 cm (5") wide and it is in excellent condition. This is ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Swedish Ceramic Collection, 29 pieces
Located in Stockholm, SE
A collection of Swedish Studio Ceramics (1940s–1990s) Offered as a single, carefully curated collection, this outstanding group represents the very heart of Swedish ceramic artistry...
Ceramic
Lovely Art Deco Vase, Upsala Ekeby Ostergren, Sweden, 1930s, Roman Urn Style
By Upsala Ekeby, Harald Östergren
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful beige ceramic vase with handles in shape of a classical roman urn, the vase is designed by Harald Östergren at Upsala Ekeby between 1937-1938. It is 21 cm (8.4") tall and...
Ceramic
Large Collection of 25 miniature vessels - John Andersson - Höganäs
By Höganäs Keramik, John Andersson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large collection of 25 vessels, most of them designed by John Andersson and all of them produced at Höganäs about 1950s. The tallest one is 9 cm (3.6") and the smallest one is 1.5 ...
Stoneware
Yellow Ceramic Vase, Sven Wejsfelt, Gustavsberg 1981, Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely dark green vase with a har fur glaze designed by Sven Wejsfelt at Gustavsberg in Stockholm in 1986. The vase is 16.5 cm high. It's marked as on picture. It is in excellent c...
Ceramic
Unique Stoneware Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking unique stoneware platter by Birger Kaipiainen. Beautiful composition with silvery apples on a white background, as well as black currant berries and blue grapes in relief. ...
Ceramic
Unique Ceramic - Abstract Blue Sculpture by Britt-Ingrid Persson Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely abstract ceramic sculpture made by Britt-Ingrid Persson at her own studio in Sweden in the 1970s. The sculpture is unsigned but there is no doubt that this one is made by Br...
Ceramic
Isak Isaksson Lovely Red Ceramic Vase - Crystalline Glaze - Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A red vase with a crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 18.5 cm (7.4") high and about 11 cm (4.4") in diameter and it is in excellent condition. This is ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Isak Isaksson Pink Ceramic Vase Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pink vase with a lovely crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 11.5 cm (4.6") tall and about 10 cm (4") wide and it is in excellent condition. This is a...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Green Stoneware Vase - Hans Hedberg, Biot, France
By Hans Hedberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely large green speckled egg-shaped vase designed by the Swedish ceramicist Hans Hedberg, who lived and worked in Biot, France. It is 28.5 cm (11,4") high. It is in excellent co...
Ceramic
Group of 3 Blue Ceramic Vases - Rörstrand Carl-Harry Stålhane Midcentury Modern
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of three vases designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The vases are between 25.5 - 27.5 cm tall and in excellent condition. They all have stunning glazes ...
Porcelain
Dove Blue Stoneware Vase - Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg 1956
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A dove blue vase by Berndt Friberg at Gustavsberg. It is 17 cm tall and in excellent condition. It is signed below and marked with an Å for 1956. Berndt Friberg is an icon in Swedi...
Stoneware
Eva Jancke-Björk - Round, Green vase with relief - Bo Fajans 1940s
By Bo Fajans, Eva Jancke-Björk
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely green vase with the classic GK-14 glaze, designed by Eva Jancke-Björk at Bo Fajans in Gefle in the 1940s. The vase is 13.5 cm high and in excellent condition. Eva Jancke B...
Ceramic
1970s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps by Olle Alberius in Stoneware
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Large earthy toned glazed stoneware pair of table lamp by Olle Alberius for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1970s. Signed on the base. The color of the glaze is wonderful asnd gives a natural ea...
Stoneware
Large Collection of 25 miniature vessels - John Andersson - Höganäs
By Höganäs Keramik, John Andersson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large collection of 25 vessels, most of them designed by John Andersson and all of them produced at Höganäs about 1950s. The tallest one is 7.5 cm (3") and the smallest one is 1.5 ...
Stoneware
Edward Lindahl Owl, Gustavsberg Porcelain, 1950s Mid-Century
By Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely owl designed by Edward Lindahl at Gustavsberg. The owl is 6.5 cm tall and in excellent condition. it is marked as on the photo. Edward Lindahl was active at the Gustavsber...
Stoneware
Green Ceramic Bowl Stunning Glaze Carl-Harry Stålhane Rörstrand -
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A green bowl with a stunning glaze designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand, the bowl is 19.5 x 17 cm (7.8" x 6.8") in diameter and 5 cm (2") tall. It is in excellent condition, ...
Ceramic
Ceramic Vase Lovely Glaze Carl-Harry Stålhane Rörstrand, Mid 20th Century
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A ceramic vase with a lovely glaze designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand, it´s 26 cm (10.4") high. It´s in excellent condition, it is marked as 2nd quality but I cannot see wh...
Ceramic
Rubus Vase by Gunnar Nylund 1960s Rörstrand, Sweden
Located in Farsta, SE
Gunnar Nylund was a renowned Swedish ceramic artist and designer known for his work with Rörstrand, a prominent Swedish porcelain and ceramics manufacturer. "Rubus" refers to a spec...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Isak Isaksson Purple & Green Ceramic Vase Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely purple & green ceramic vase with a crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 30 cm (12") tall and about 16 cm (5.4") wide and it is in excellent con...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ewald Dahlskog – Ceramic Vase - Bo Fajans Sweden 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely vase in a lovely shape and with the "Lava"-glaze designed by Ewald Dahlskog at Bo Fajans, Sweden in the 1930s. The vase is 18 cm (7.2") high ...
Ceramic
Green Art Deco Vase, Upsala Ekeby Ostergren, Sweden, 1930s, Roman Urn Style
By Upsala Ekeby, Harald Östergren
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful green ceramic vase with orange handles in shape of a classical roman urn, the vase is designed by Harald Östergren at Upsala Ekeby between 1937-1938. It is 21 cm (8.4") t...
Ceramic
Ewald Dahlskog Turquoise Floor Vase, Art Deco, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful turquoise floor vase designed by Ewald Dahlskog at Bo Fajans in Gefle in the 1930s. The vase is 37 cm tall and in excellent condition....
Ceramic
Bunch of Blue Grapes, Ceramics by Hans Hedberg, Biot, France
By Hans Hedberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Large bunch of grapes designed by Hans Hedberg (1917-2007) Swedish ceramist who had his studio in Biot, near nice in France. The grapes comes with a stand in acrylic glass that is ...
Ceramic
Green Stoneware Vase by Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, 21cm, 1961
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely Green, unique vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase is 21 cm high and was made in 1961.It is in excellent condition except from some minor scratches on...
Ceramic
Blue Ceramic Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand Midcentury Modern
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning blue ceramic vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase is 23cm (9.2") tall and in excellent condition. The vase is marked as 1st quality. Carl-Harry St...
Ceramic
Round, Blue Serving Dish with stars - Upsala Ekeby - Sven Erik Skawonius
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely ceramic dish designed by Sven-Erik Skawonius at Upsala Ekeby. The dish is 32,5 cm (13") in diameter and in excellent condition.
Ceramic
1920s Mint Condition Danish 20 cm Ceramic Vase by Herman Kähler
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the 1920s Danish 20 cm high ceramic vase in mint condition by Herman Kähler. It comes with a baluster shaped body. It has a glossy surface, a beautiful cow horn glazed patt...
Ceramic
Large Unique Kähler Stoneware Dish
By Nils Kähler, Herman A. Kahler Keramik
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large rare Kähler stoneware dish (78 x 11). The dish was originally a gift for one of Niels Kähler's friends. Because of it's size there is a crack i...
Ceramic
A Unique, Large, Brown Ceramic Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane Designhuset
Located in Stockholm, SE
A unique brown vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Designhuset in Lidköping, Sweden in 1970s. The vase is 22 cm (8.8") tall and in excellent condition, it has a beautiful glaze. ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stig Lindberg 1950s Stoneware Dish, Gustavsberg Studio, Black/Brown
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful platter designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsbergs Studio in Stockholm, it is 30.5 cm (12.2") in diameter. It has a black/brown color an...
Stoneware
Wilhelm Kåge Argenta Bowl with Silver Dragon Decor, Gustavsberg, 1940s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely bowl of model Argenta 901 designed by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg, this bowl is 32,5 cm (13") in diameter and about 13 cm (5,2") high. It´s in excellent condition except fro...
Stoneware
Vintage Set of 4 Furnivals England Cups & Saucers Red Denmark Pattern
By Furnivals
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of vintage 4 tea or coffee cups and 4 saucers is decorated in the Denmark pattern in the unusual red or pink colorway. Usually the Denmark pattern is synonymous with blue and whi...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, 1950s, Mid Century Vintage, Scandinavian Design
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 20 cm (8") high. It´s in excellent condition except from some minor scratches and marks in the glaze, it is marked a...
Stoneware
Black Stoneware Vase by Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Hägersten, SE
Stoneware vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane. Hand made at Rörstrand in the 1950s. Black "hares fur" glaze. Very good vintage condition with light wear and patina. Designer: Car...
Stoneware
Wilhelm Kåge Green & Brown Stoneware Dish, Bowl, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Elegant dish, bowl by Wilhelm Kåge from the “KAPA” series. The design was a collaboration between Kåge and three colleagues Björn Alskog, Axel Pettersson, and Birger Arvidsson. Desig...
Stoneware
Green Vase with Decor, Wilhelm Kåge Gustavsberg, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase in stoneware designed by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg, the vase is 18 cm in diameter and in good condition except from a crack that goes through, it is mostly visible from the ...
Stoneware