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.
Brown Stoneware Vase by Swedish Ceramist Claes Thell, 1969
By Claes Thell
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Claes Thell, in the artist's studio, Höganäs, Sweden, 1969. Great condition. Signed Thell '69. Claes Thell is a Swedish cera...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Lovely Pitcher Ceramics Ewald Dahlskog 1930s, Bo Fajans, Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely pitcher designed by Ewald Dahlskog in the 1930s at Bo Fajans in Gefle, Sweden. It is 26.5 cm high and in very good condition. This pitcher is with the green "Lava" decor Ew...
Ceramic
Isak Isaksson Ceramic Vase Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely light brown or dingy yellow ceramic vase with a stunning crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 14.5 cm (5.8") tall and about 13.5 cm (5.4") wide...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Isak Isaksson - Black & Red Ceramic Vase Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely black and red ceramic vase with a crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 18.5 cm (7.4") tall and about 15 cm (6") wide and it is in excellent con...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Isak Isaksson - Oxblood Red Ceramic Vase Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely oxblood red ceramic vase with a crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 23.5 cm (9.4") tall and about 14.5 cm (5.8") wide and it is in excellent c...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Bed tray with botanical motif. Mid-20th C.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Josef Frank (1885–1967) for Svenskt Tenn Bed tray with botanical motif. Rectangular bed tray with wooden frame and metal legs. The tray decorated with Josef Frank’s characteristic b...
Metal
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 9 -...
Ceramic, Stoneware
JHQ Group of Dansk Design Fjord Germany and By Present Japan Stainless Flatware
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs in the 1960s, the iconic Fjord flatware was made with an insert in the center of the teak handles and stainless tops manufactured first ...
Stainless Steel
Tapio Wirkkala Crystal Ice Bucket with Tongs, Finland, 1950's
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tapio Wirkkala Crystal Ice Bucket with Clasp, Finland, 1950's, original tongs
Crystal
Scandinavian Modern Unique Handmade Stoneware Jug by Saxbo, Denmark, 1930s
By Saxbo
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful spherical stoneware jug with handle and small spout made at Saxbo in Herlev, Denmark (1930/40s). Made from hand-thrown stoneware glazed in blackish “Iron” glaze. Stamped wi...
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
Ewald Dahlskog – Green, Swiveled Ceramic Vase - 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely green ceramic vase designed by Ewald Dahlskog at Bo Fajans, Sweden in the 1930s. The vase is 18 cm (7.2") tall and in excellent condition. Ewald Dahlskog (1894–1950) was on...
Ceramic
Black Ceramic Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand - Mid 20th Century
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A black vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. The vase is 10.5 cm (4.2") high and in excellent condition. The vase is marked as 1st quality. Carl-Harry Stålhane is one...
Ceramic
Ceramic art piece by Jossolini
By Jossolini
Located in Oslo, NO
Art piece by Norwegian ceramic artist Johanne Birkeland. Birkeland works under the artist name Jossolini. All her pieces are unique, and are built...
Ceramic
Large Collection of 27 miniature vessels - John Andersson - Höganäs
By John Andersson, Höganäs Keramik
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large collection of 27 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
Large handcrafted candleholder by Jossolini
By Jossolini
Located in Oslo, NO
Handcrafted candleholder made my Norwegian ceramic artist Jossolini, aka Johanne Birkeland. Jossolini is known for her unique statement pieces, that holds a strong presence in the r...
Ceramic
Vintage Holmegaard Glass Beer Mugs by Michael Bang, 1970s
By Holmegaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare set of unused Beer Mugs in handblown clear glass. Its a variation of Michael Bangs Globetrotter made prior to 1973. The set was made at Holmegaard in Denmark. Measurements: H:...
Blown Glass
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
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
Birger Kaipiainen, Very Large Ceramic Plate, Red Blue with Beeds, Arabia 1970s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988) was the master of decorative ceramics. He was well known for his rich and colourful ornamental dishes, with themes from the fantasy world and fairytales...
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
$272Sale Price|20% Off
Teapot, "Lilja" "Lilly", Bo Fajans, Sweden, 1940s, Mid-Century Modern Vintage
By Bo Fajans
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning teapot designed at Bo Fajans in Gefle, Sweden and of the model "Lilly" that is super rare to find today. The teapot is 15.5 cm (6.2") high and about 23,5 cm (9.4") long. I...
Porcelain
Set of Three 1960s Scandinavian Style Wood and Plastic European Ice Buckets
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is a fantastic set of three 1970s storage canisters or ice buckets with a distinctly Scandinavian & Danish Mid-century Modern design influence. The set includes three containers...
Plastic, Wood
Ceramic Vase Lovely Glaze Carl-Harry Stålhane Rörstrand, Mid 20th Century
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
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
Set of 6 Georg Jensen Etched Glasses, Partridge in a Pear Tree, Danish Modern
By Georg Jensen
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Georg Jensen set of 6 stemmed glasses features etched decor of "Partridge in Pear Tree", an abstract bird perched on top of a fruit tree, on clear glass background. Minimall...
Glass
Lovely Blue Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand - Mid century Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A blue & green ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 17.5 cm (7") high and about 17 cm (6.8") in diameter and in excellent condition. The vase is marked as 1st q...
Stoneware
Vintage Leaf Shaped Serving Dish Faience, Stig Lindberg, Gustavsbergs Studio
Located in Stockholm, SE
A serving dish in faience designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsbergs Studio in Stockholm, it is 31.5 x 10.5 cm (12.6" x 4.2") in diameter. It´s in excellent condition. This vase is pa...
Stoneware
Isak Isaksson Blue Ceramic Vase Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely blue flattened round ceramic vase with a stunning crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 9.5 cm (3.8") tall and about 20 cm (8") wide and it is i...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Surreal Green Garden Birger Kaipiainen Faience Wall Relief Rörstrand 1950s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Rörstrand
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare and beautiful wall relief featuring hand-painted flowers & women, designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Rörstrand and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. Kaipiainen spent only 4 ...
Faience
$258Sale Price|20% Off
Isak Isaksson Green Ceramic Vase - Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A green vase with a crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 10 cm (4") high and about 11 cm (4.4") in diameter and it is in excellent condition. This is a ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
1960s Dansk Teak Cheese Board + Knife Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Dansk Teak Cheese Board + Knife Jens Quistgaard Dansk Cheese Board + Cutting Knife 8.75 long x 5.25 d x 1 Preowned original vintage Refer to l...
Teak
Birger Kaipiainen, Very Large Ceramic Plate, Plums and Berries, Arabia 1970s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen (1915–1988) is celebrated as a master of decorative ceramics, renowned for his richly colored and ornamental works. Drawing from fantasy and fairytales, his art sto...
Metal
Danish Modern Teak Wood & Stainless Steel Banded Salad Servers, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of long handled salad servers of Danish design, from the Scandinavian Modern Mid-Century era, circa 1960-1970. Carved from teak wood and banded with stainless steel, beauti...
Stainless Steel
Arne Jacobsen Stelton Cylinda Line Stainless Salad Set, 1970s
By Arne Jacobsen, Stelton
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Set of Stelton Arne Jacobsen Salad Server Fork and Spoon in Stainless Steel Cylinder. This line of serveware was called "Line 023-1"
Stainless Steel
Blue Ceramic Vase by Gertrud Lönegren, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, Wilhelm Kage, Gertrud Lönegren
Located in Malmö, SE
Beautiful vase with blue glaze. Made by Gertrud Lönegren at Rorstrand in Sweden between 1936-41. Great condition, some small metal marks. Impressed 'Rörstrand', 'LÖNEGREN' and 'HAN...
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
Set of Eight Hand-Crafted Holmegaard Smoked Glass Goblets, 1970s
By Holmegaard
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 smoked glass drinking vessels by Holmegaard. A great addition to any bar or table setting. Glasses are very versatile and ould be used fo...
Blown Glass
1960s Ronneby Design Sigurd Persson Cast Iron Casserole Sweden
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1960s Sweden Cooking Pot Large Casserole Cast Iron Pan Stamp by maker Ronab Ronneby Design Sigurd Persson Large Casserole Pot Sweden 6...
Iron
Lovely Blue Ceramic Vase, Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg - Mid 20th Century
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A deep blue vase designed by Berndt Friberg at Gustavsberg in Stockholm, the vase is 10 cm (4") high and about 6 cm (2.4") in diameter. It has a beautiful blue glaze, it is marked as...
Ceramic
Round Koka platter by Hertha Bengtson for Rörstrand Sweden
Located in BELFORT, FR
Koka round platter by Hertha Bengtson for Rörstrand Sweden, manufactured in the 1960's. Slight wear due to its age and use, no chip, no crack. Measurements : diameter 17, 5 cm, ...
Ceramic
Blue Stoneware Vase by Gertrud Lönegren, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, Gertrud Lönegren
Located in Malmö, SE
Beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gertrud Lönegren. This studio piece was created at Rorstrand in Sweden between 1936-41. Swedish Grace. Great condition. Impr...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Jens H. Quistgaard Dual Pepper - Salt Mill & Shaker in Teak, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Jens Harald Quistgaard design for his own company International Designs of Denmark. This stylish yet versatile dual combination salt & pepper shaker is made from solid teak. Makers...
Teak
Green Stoneware Vase by Gertrud Lönegren, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, Wilhelm Kage, Gertrud Lönegren
Located in Malmö, SE
Beautiful Swedish Grace stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Made by Gertrud Lönegren at Rorstrand in Sweden between 1936-41. Great condition. Tiny firing crack from production to top...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Modern Rare Pepper Shaker by BR Denmark in Wenge Wood
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful solid wenge wood peppermill Shaker, circa 1950s with brass tip and metal mechanism, nice original condition.
Metal, Brass
$60Sale Price|20% Off
Karl Holmberg Set of Three Teak Kidney Bean Coasters, Sweden, 1960s
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Karl Holmberg Set of Three Teak Kidney Bean Coasters, Sweden, 1960s.
Teak
Mid Century Danish Sculptural Teak Bowl, Handcrafted in 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful patinated bowl in teak. Handcrafted in 1960s Suits the modern interior.
Teak
Brown Ceramic Teapot by Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A brown teapot in ceramics with a lovely harfur glaze designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand, Sweden in the 1950s. The teapot is 21,5 cm high and in...
Ceramic
Vintage Set of 6 Furnivals England Salad Plates Red Denmark Pattern
By Furnivals
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of vintage 6 salad or dessert plates is decorated in the Denmark pattern in the unusual red or pink colorway. Usually the Denmark pattern is synonymous with blue and white colors...
Ceramic, Pottery
1960s Denmark Serving Snack Tray Set Teak & Glass Lüthje Wood Denmark 1
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Denmark serving snack tray set teak & glass. Danish modern set produced by Lüthje Wood Denmark 1 maker stamped. Measures: 6.38 wide x 13.75 deep x ...
Glass, Teak
Hertha Bengtson for Rörstrand, Seven Koka Dinner Plates
Located in København, Copenhagen
Hertha Bengtson (1917-1993) for Rörstrand. 15 Koka plates in glazed stoneware. 1960s. Diameter: 17 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. For almost half a century, Hertha Bengtson...
Stoneware
1960s Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Teak Peppermill with Salt by Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in St. Louis, MO
A 1960s Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Salt & peppermill made of teak, in the style of a chess piece. Stamped Dansk Designs Ltd Denmark JHQ. Nice o...
Teak
Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand. Five deep "Solöga" (Sun Eye) dinner plates.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Carl Harry Stålhane (1920-1990) for Rörstrand, Sweden. A set of five deep "Solöga" (Sun Eye) dinner plates in earthenware. From the 1960s. Marked. Perfect condition. Appears unused....
Earthenware
Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand. Set of eight "Solöga" (Sun Eye) plates.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Carl Harry Stålhane (1920-1990) for Rörstrand, Sweden. A set of eight "Solöga" (Sun Eye) plates in earthenware. From the 1960s. Marked. Perfect condition. Appears unused. First fact...
Earthenware
Carl Harry Stålhane '1920-1990' for Rörstrand. Four Deep Solöga Plates
Located in København, Copenhagen
Carl Harry Stålhane (1920-1990) for Rörstrand. Four deep Solöga plates in hand-painted and glazed stoneware. 1960s / 70s. Measures: 20.5 x 4.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stam...
Stoneware
Gray Speckled Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Mid-Century Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely gray/blue speckled vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 14.5 cm (5.8") high and 8.5 cm (3.4") in diameter. It is in mint...
Porcelain
Stainless Steel Salt & Pepper Shakers by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Design
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Stainless Steel Salt & Pepper Shakers by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Design Denmark, 1960's three pairs available - sold separately some small imperfections in the finish "Stylish ...
Stainless Steel
Scandinavian Modern Swedish Modern Crystal Strombergshytt Glass Vase with Lion
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial Scandinavian Modern Swedish Modern Strombergshyttan crystal glass vase with regal Lion design, circa mid-20th century, Sweden. Beautiful detail in etched ...
Crystal
Decorative Ceramic Tray by Sylvia Leuchovius for Rörstrand, Sweden
By Sylvia Leuchovius, Rörstrand
Located in Goteborg, SE
Decorative tray by the Swedish artist Sylvia Leuchovius. (1915-2003). Leuchovius was one of Rörstrands most prolific artists for almost 30 years. This tray is a typical example of he...
Ceramic
Cubist Brass Ashtray Designed by Bäckström & Ljungberg, Beck & Jung, Sweden
By Holger Bäckström & Bo Ljungberg
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Bäckström & Ljungberg “Ultima 9” brass ashtray by Diverse Ting, Malmø Sweden 60s A vintage Ljungberg & Bäckström “Ultima 9” ashtray in solid brass. Made for ...
Brass
Blue Ceramic Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A blue vase with a lovely glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, it´s 24,5 cm (9.8) high. It´s in excellent condition except from some minor marks in the glaze and marked as 1...
Ceramic