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.
JHQ Group of Dansk Design Fjord Germany and By Present Japan Stainless Flatware
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
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
Kjell Engman Art Glass Carafe, Scandinavian Modern, Kosta Boda, Sweden
By Kjell Engman
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Vintage Art Glass Carafe by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda, Sweden, late 1990s. Striking Scandinavian design meets vibrant artistry in this handcrafted art glass carafe by Kjell Engman ...
Art Glass
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
Large Collection of 27 miniature vessels - John Andersson - Höganäs
By Höganäs Keramik, John Andersson
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
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
White Stoneware Vase - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand - Midcentury Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely white vase with a stunning egg shell speckled glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 16 cm tall. It is in excellent condition and marked as 1st quality. ...
Stoneware, 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
Black Ceramic Vase - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand - Mid 20th Century
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
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
Pewter Bottle Coasters by Just Andersen, 1950s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of 8 Pewter Bottle-Coasters / Glass Trays with Box made by Just Andersen in the 1950s. * Set of eight (8) pewter bottle-coasters with grooved edges with the original box. * Man...
Pewter
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
Group of White Ceramics by Nylund & Stålhane - Rörstrand - Midcentury Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Carl-Harry Stålhane, 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
White Ceramic Vase, Pia Rönndahl Rörstrand, Scandinavian Modern
By Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely white ceramic vase designed by Pia Rönndahl at Rörstrand in 1998. The vase is 32.5 cm tall and in excellent condition except from some minor marks in the glaze. Because of t...
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
Isak Isaksson Large Blue Ceramic Vase, Crystalline Glaze Contemporary Artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large lovely blue vase with a stunning crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 17.5 cm (7") tall and about 16.5 cm (6.6") wide and it is in excellent con...
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
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
2 Gray Stoneware Vases with Harfur Glaze Berndt Friberg Gustavsberg 1950s
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of 2 stunning gray miniature stoneware vases by Berndt Friberg at Gustavsberg designed in the 1950s, the vases has lovely har-fur glazes. Th...
Stoneware
$279Sale 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
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
Large Unique Ceramic Floor Lamp by Rigmor Nielsen, Søholm, 1960s, Danish Modern
By Søholm Stentøj, Rigmor Nielsen
Located in Odense, DK
Stunning hand painted floor lamp from the 1960s by Danish artist Rigmor Nielsen at Søholm ceramics workshop, Bornholm. The abstract pattern in shades of blue and yellow on this lamp ...
Brass
Danish Modern Teak Butcher Block Cutting Board by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Danish modern teak butcher block round cutting board by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The board is in very good vintage condition and measures 15.75"D x 2"H and has a juice...
Teak
Unique Birger Kaipiainen Decorative Ananas & 4 leaf Clover Dish, Arabia, 1960s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and unique ceramic plate designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia in Finland in the late 1950s - 1960s. The plate features a purple ananas filled with four-leaf clovers, ...
Ceramic
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
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
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
Arne Jacobsen Stelton Cylinda Line Stainless Salad Set, 1970s
By Stelton, Arne Jacobsen
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
Vintage Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Bernadotte Cocktail Cup/Shot Glass No. 825A
By Sigvard Bernadotte, Georg Jensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed Danish silver cup or beaker. In sterling silver. By Georg Jensen. Designed by Sigvard Bernadotte. In the 'Bernadotte' pattern. Pattern no. 825A. Fully marked to t...
Sterling Silver
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
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
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
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
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s First grade quality. Heigth: 15 cm/5.9 inch Diameter: 8 cm/3.1 inch Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedish ceramic art...
Stoneware
Green Art Deco Vase, Upsala Ekeby Ostergren, Sweden, 1930s, Roman Urn Style
By Harald Östergren, Upsala Ekeby
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
Dansk Variation V Flatware Set Service for 8 with Box
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Dansk Variation V Stainless Steel Flatware Set. Service for 8 with the box. Another great design from Quistgaard! This set dates the 196...
Stainless Steel
3 Wall Plaques / Tiles, Rörstrand - Sylvia Leuchovius - Flowers Green & Purple
By Sylvia Leuchovius, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A set of 3 stoneware wall tiles / plaques designed by Sylvia Leuchovius at Rörstrand in the 1970s. These plaques have a lovely shape of flowers and green/purple color. They are 21 x ...
Stoneware
$265Sale 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
Scandinavian Modern Stemware Brown Set of 12 Attr Bjorkshult Swedish Glass
By Björkshult
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Scandinavian Modern dark brown stemware set of 12 made in Sweden composed of 6 wine goblets & 6 champagne coups attributed to Bjorkshult Swedish Glass. This pie...
Blown Glass
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
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
Yellow Stoneware Vase by Erich and Ingrid Triller for Tobo, Sweden, 1950s
By Erich and Ingrid Triller, Tobo
Located in Malmö, SE
Beautiful stoneware vase made by master ceramists Erich and Ingrid Triller. This piece was created at their workshop in Tobo, Sweden, 1950’s. Excellent condition. Signed on the base...
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
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
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Modern Teak Butcher Block Cutting Board by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful solid teak large tray for cheese with edge for placing the crackers, nice condition early production made in Denmark.
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
Large Blue Ceramic Bowl - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand - 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large blue ceramic bowl from Rörstrand, Sweden, designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane in the 1950s. The bowl is in excellent condition except from ...
Ceramic
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
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
Carl Harry Stålhane '1920-1990' for Rörstrand, Seven Solöga Dinner Plates
Located in København, Copenhagen
Carl Harry Stålhane (1920-1990) for Rörstrand. Seven Solöga dinner plates in hand-painted and glazed stoneware. 1960s / 70s. Diameter: 24 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped.
Stoneware
Unique Stoneware Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
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
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
Green Stoneware Vase by Gertrud Lönegren, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
By Gertrud Lönegren, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
Stunning and rare stoneware vase with AMAZING glaze. Designed by Gertrud Lönegren. This studio piece was created at Rorstrand in Sweden between 1936-41. Swedish Grace. Great conditi...
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
Danish Modern Stoneware Tea Pot Haresfur Glaze by Frode Bahnsen at Palshus 1950s
By Palshus
Located in Odense, DK
Rare handmade stoneware teapot made at Palshus Pottery in the 1950s Denmark . The pot was designed by Frode Bahnsen and is glazed in the workshops famous...
Stoneware
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
ROYAL COPENHAGEN - Malmer & Thorsson - Faience Vase - Denmark - Circa 1960's
By Royal Copenhagen, Ellen Malmer
Located in Chatham, ON
ROYAL COPENHAGEN - Ellen Malmer/designer - Nils Thorsson/shape designer - Mid Century Modern - Baca series - Aluminia faience vase number 635/3121 - signed on the base ROYAL COPENHAG...
Porcelain
1960s Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Teak Peppermill with Salt by Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
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
Decorative Ceramic Tray by Sylvia Leuchovius for Rörstrand, Sweden
By Rörstrand, Sylvia Leuchovius
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
Schreuder & Olsson Swedish Pewter Serving Tray with Handles
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sleek and refined Swedish pewter tray by Schreuder & Olsson, showcasing timeless Scandinavian craftsmanship. This elegant serving piece features a gen...
Pewter
1960s Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard Double Cube Teak Salt & Peppermill by Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in St. Louis, MO
A 1960s Danish Modern Jens Quistgaard , Known as the "Double Cube" Salt & Peppermill made of teak Marked Dansk Designs Ltd Denmark JHQ. Nice original condition, could use a cleaing w...
Teak
$366Sale Price|20% Off
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