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.
Danish Midcentury Modern Rosewood Wall Mirror, Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark 1960s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool modernist wall mirror by Aksel Kjersgaard, made from rosewood in a smooth design with a sculpted frame. Very nice woodgrain. Model #166
Mirror, Rosewood
Danish Midcentury Modern Rosewood Wall Mirror, Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark 1960s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool modernist wall mirror by Aksel Kjersgaard, made from rosewood in a smooth design with a sculpted frame. Very nice woodgrain. Model #105
Mirror, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Wall Mirror Model 166 in Rosewood for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Scandinavian-modern wall mirror designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark, 1960s. Frame made of solid rosewood with precise joints and a striking rounded inner edge. ...
Wood
True Romance Mirror Large, Ringvide, Ash, Natural or Coloured Oil, Scandinavian
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
In India and China there are the earliest finds where the flower and love are linked. The over 4000-year-old finds tell us something about the flower's symbolic role for life and ro...
Glass, Smoked Glass, Pine
Bjerkås Armatur, Illuminated Wall Mirror, Metal, Fabric, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige-lacquered metal and beige fabric illuminated wall mirror produced by Bjerkås Armatur, Sweden, c. 1940s. Bulb Specifications: E-14 Bulbs Does not include mounting hardware. ...
Metal
$1,123Sale Price|20% Off
Royal Copenhagen Mirror Colorful Organic Decor, Marianne Johanson, 1960s
By Royal Copenhagen, Marianne Johnson
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern faience frame mirror by Marianne Johanson for the Royal Copenhagen Tenera series. Hand-painted floral organic decor i...
Faience, Porcelain
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Beautiful Scandinavian Modern Pine Geometric Large wall Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian Modern Pine Geometric wall Mirror. Labeled RJ Traevarer on back panel. Late 20th Century. Dimensions: H 52" x W 29" x 1" deep
Mirror, Pine
True Romance Mirror Small, Ringvide, Ash, Natural or Coloured Oil. Scandinavian
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
TRUE ROMANCE - Small mirror In India and China there are the earliest finds where the flower and love are linked. The over 4000-year-old finds tell us something about the flower's s...
Glass, Smoked Glass, Pine
Large Danish Modern Teak Wall Mirror by Torring, Denmark
Located in San Diego, CA
A clean-lined and beautifully proportioned Danish Modern wall mirror produced by Torring of Denmark and assembled by Jens Jacobsen, as labeled verso. Featuring a finely crafted solid...
Mirror, Teak
$1,497Sale Price|20% Off
Scandinavian Wall Mirror in Mahogany Beads, Kaija Aarikka Style, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Finnish wall mirror in frame decorated with brown and mahogany shiny lacquered wooden beads in different sizes in the style of Aarikka. Mirror and beads in beautiful condition. Mount...
Beads, Wood
Scandinavian Modern Wall Mirror with Ceramic Tiles Illums Bolighus, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
This rare and highly decorative Scandinavian Modern wall-hung mirror was designed by Mogens Lund and retailed by the prestigious Illums Bolighus in Copenhagen during the 1960s. The p...
Stoneware, Mirror
Nordic Classicism Pewter Wall Mirror, Taidetakomo A. Hakkarainen 1930s
Located in Helsinki, FI
An elegant pewter-framed mirror produced by Taidetakomo Antti Hakkarainen in Finland during the 1920-30s. The design reflects the transitional period between Nordic Classicism and th...
Pewter
Danish Mid Century Modern Mirror by Falster Mobelfabrik c 1950/1960's
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated architectural wall mirror by noted danish maker, Falster Mobelfabrik. The solid wood frame surrounds a bright plate glass mirror, this example is in very fine, original...
Mirror, Wood
Dressing table with mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth of NK
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Dressing table with mirror designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, circa 1930s. Two-tone stained birch veneer finish and nickel plated hardware. The original mi...
Birch
Large sculptural Scandinavian modern wall mirror, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Wall mirror with a softly rounded rectangular form and a sculptural beech frame. The organic, flowing lines give a light and balanced expression, characteristic of Swedish modern fro...
Beech
Midcentury Modern Wall Mirror by Astrid Aagesen, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Swedish Grace wall mirror by Astrid Aagesen, made with a sleek green patinated bronze frame in a neat size. Adorned with a white metal relief of a pelican spreading its wings.
Bronze, Pewter
$2,059Sale Price|20% Off
Large Oval Mid-Century Pine Wall Mirror, Glas Mäster Markaryd, Sweden, 1970s
By Glasmäster
Located in Karis, Nyland
A striking large-scale oval wall mirror by Glas Mäster, Markaryd, Sweden, crafted in the 1970s. The solid pine frame features a sculptural segmented construction with beautifully vis...
Mirror, Pine
Austrian Designer, Illuminated Wall Mirror, Brass, Metal, Austria, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and white-lacquered metal wall mirror designed and produced in Austria, c. 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.5" H x 19.75" W x 3.125" D Does not include mounting hardwa...
Metal, Brass
Danish Mid-Century Ceramic Wall Mirror
By Arne Bang
Located in New York, NY
Charming Danish Mid-century Ceramic Wall Mirror in a beige/brown glaze with an etched ceramic border around the round glass. In a very good condition with a small chip on the back (p...
Ceramic, Glass
Scandinavian Modern Brass Wall Mirror by Lars Holmström, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Brass wall mirror by Lars Holmström, in a clean form. Adorned with a lovely stylized flower at the top.
Brass
Scandinavian modern teak mirror, unknown designer, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful mirror by unknown designer, made in Denmark during the 1960s. Made in solid teak with a shelve with decorative peg construction.
Mirror, Teak
Danish Modern Mirror in Solid Glass by Pukeberg Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
This gorgeous solid blown glass aqua blue color mirror by Pukeberg, made in Sweden circa 1970's in nice condition with no chips or cracks some light wear in the mirror around the edg...
Blown Glass, Mirror
$1,500Sale Price|20% Off
Jacob Hermann Danish Teak Wall Mirror and Holmegaard Glass Vase by Per Lütken
By Holmegaard, Jacob Herman, Randers Møbelfabrik, Per Lütken
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern hanging wall mirror designed by Jacob Hermann for Randers Møbelfabrik, circa 1960s, Denmark. Features a sculptural teak frame with detailed joinery and includes th...
Glass, Mirror, Teak
Large Swedish Modern Mirror in Solid Pine, Glas Mäster Markaryd, Sweden, 1960s
By AB Markaryd
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking, large mirror was produced by Glas Mäster in Markaryd, Sweden, in the late 1960s. This generously sized rectangular mirror can be placed as floor mirror and can also be...
Mirror, Pine
$3,996Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Danish Teak + Linen Pier Mirror with Storage Coat Rack Pouches Cabinmodern
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Uncommon wall mirror design. A Minimalist Danish take on the Classic pier mirror. Teak pegs, cloth/linen lined with pockets. Measures: Actual mirror W 20.5 x H 39 in. Clothe area...
Teak
Swedish Grace Wall Mirror with Figurines, Sweden, 1920s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Stunning Swedish Grace wall mirror, made from wood in an elaborate design depicting people in traditional clothes from different parts of the world. Theatrical expression. Gilded wit...
Glass, Wood
Otto Schulz Birch Mirror, Swedish Modern, 1930s.
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Skanninge, SE
Swedish Modern Mirror by Otto Schulz for Boet, Sweden 1930-40s. It has a very unusual and attractive irregular shape. Made in flame birch and with a wonderful original bevelled mirr...
Mirror, Birch
Table Mirror, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table mirror in brass, possibly manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1950s. Brass, wave-shaped border decoration. Adjustable.
Brass
Scandinavian Modern Wall Mirror, Stjärnmetall ca 1930s
Located in Örebro, SE
Rare and absolutely beautiful Scandinavian Modern wall mirror by Stjärnmetall, ca 1930s. Frame depicting music playing and dancing figures. Original foxed mirror. Wear and patina co...
Metal
Scandinavian Modern Style Rosewood Mirror Attributed to Milo Baughman
Located in Germantown, MD
Danish Modern Style Rosewood Frame Mirror attributed to Milow Baughman. Dimensions: 21.25" in width, 1" in depth, 47.25" in height.
Mirror, Rosewood
Handcrafted Scandinavian mirror by Michael Andersen
Located in Hannover, DE
This exquisite artist's mirror is a rare find and a masterpiece in its design and craftsmanship. The beautiful ornamentation, featuring stunning royal blue, is simply breathtaking. T...
Pottery, Mirror
$1,650Sale Price|25% Off
Danish Modern shadow box illuminated wall mirror Teak by Pedersen & Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Teak shadow box illuminated Square wall mirror by Pedersen & Hansen Made in Denmark circa 1960s. Gorgeous teak wood grain throughout the rectangular frames with finger joints. St...
Mirror, Teak
Scandinavian modern wall mirror, anonymous, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Big and rare anonymous wall mirror. Made in Sweden during the 1940s. Beautiful craftmanship. Made in beech.
Mirror, Beech
Swedish Modern 1950's Brass mirror
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
1950's Brass mirror in the manor of Josef Frank, Firma Svenskt Tenn. Beautiful filigree design around the edges. Age appropriate wear to the brass and glass och overall in a very goo...
Brass
Asymmetric Swedish designer oak wall mirror, 1940s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Asymmetric wall mirror made by unknown designer and cabinetmaker in Sweden during the 1940s. Frame made of oak. Some wear on the glass with crackling and stains.
Mirror, Oak
Mid century Danish modern teak wall mirror by Nils Jonsson Torring Mobler
By Nils Jonsson, Torring Mobelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century danish modern wall mirror by Nils Johnson. Beautiful solid teak and glass mirror with high quality woodworking. Curved corners and details. Labeled - Designed by Nils Joh...
Mirror, Teak
Rare Mid Century Large Mirror in Mahogany, 1940's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Large Mirror in Mahogany, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 100 x 9 x 175 cm Conditi...
Mahogany
$1,834Sale Price|30% Off
Teak Wall Mirror by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Åhus, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A rare teak wall mirror by Hans-Agne Jakobsson. Made in Åhus, Sweden, 1950s. Labelled to the reverse. A very simple rectangular mirror with teak frame from the early years of Jakobs...
Mirror, Teak, Paper
Monumental mirror by unknown designer and maker, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Monumental asymmetrical mirror in stained beech with softly sculpted contours and finely worked details. The mirror glass is arranged in a geometric lattice pattern with brass mounts...
Brass
Scandinavian Teak Mirror by Aksel Kjersgaard Odder, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Vintage mirror in teak designed by Aksel Kjersgaard. Produced by Odder in Denmark, 1960s.
Mirror, Teak
Midcentury Modern Wooden Wall Mirror, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant Swedish Modern wall mirror, with a wide, smooth mahogany frame. Lovely, subtle decor of a line of brass pearls around the inner edge of the frame.
Wood
$11,101
Mirror Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Large mirror by unknown designer. Produced in Sweden. Measure: Width: 51 ( 101 ) cm.
Brass, Nickel
1970s Teak Wall Mirror Style of Pedersen & Hansen Denmark
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mid 20th Century Modern Teak Wall Mirror Denmark 1970s Unmarked, style of Pedersen & Hansen Medium size mirror in teak wood. Beveled and tapered angles give a clean sophisticated loo...
Mirror, Teak
Mirror in teak produced by Glas & Trä Hovmantorp in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare mirror in teak produced by Glas & Trä Hovmantorp in Sweden.
Teak
Post modern white lacquer chrome wall mirror by Lane
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern vertical wall mirror. Solid wood white Lacquer frame with chrome details and thick mirror. Wired to hang vertical. Located in Brooklyn NYC. 20” w x 42” h x 1” thick Ple...
Chrome
$1,123Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish grace Art Deco 1930s silver Mirror, in the Vibe of Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Forest, BE
Cute silver painted Swedish grace Art Deco mirror. Showing traces of time and use but with a nice patina. Little hook to hang it to the wall. Perfect to fit in narrow places. Son patronyme officiel, Swedish Grace - " la grâce...
Mirror, Hardwood
Large Pine Oval Wall Mirror by Glas Master for Markyrd, Sweden
By Glasmäster
Located in San Francisco, CA
Large oval pine wall mirror by Glass Master Markyrd, Sweden. Striking size and shape that will fill any room with light and presense. In very good original condition, ready to instal...
Mirror, Pine
Swedish Mid-Century Brass Table Mirror, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant table mirror, with beautiful details. Made in white metal. Elongated design, adjustable height, 77-91 cm.
Metal
Mid-20th Century, Danish Wall Mirror in Solid Oak, Scandinavian Modern Design
By Aarhus glasimport & glassliberi
Located in Odense, DK
A beautifully proportioned mid-century Danish wall mirror presented in an oak frame and marked on the reverse by Aarhus Glasimport og Glassliberi A/S, a well-regarded Scandinavian mi...
Glass, Mirror, Oak
Scandinavian Modern Octagonal Wall Mirror in Teak, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Anonymous Danish/Scandinavian furniture maker circa 1970. Reminiscent in style to Aksel Kjersgaard and Uno and Osten Kristiansson. Octagonal wall mirror with frame in solid teak. Ass...
Mirror, Teak
A rectangular teak mirror by Egon Bro Petersen, 1940s
By K. Thomsen, Egon Bro Petersen
Located in Balen, BE
Elegant and understated, this early modernist mirror features a finely joined teak frame with softly rounded edges and precise craftsmanship typical of Petersen’s work. The warm tone...
Mirror, Teak
Modernist Table Mirror by David Rosén for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1950s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), David Rosén
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant table mirror by David Rosén, part of the “Futura” series from NK. Large rectangular mirror with rounded corners and handle wound with black leather. Adjustable height and angle.
Brass
Post modern Black and red monster Laminate triangle wall mirror pop art
By Peter Shire, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern Black and red “monster” Laminate triangle wall mirror pop art - Located in Brooklyn NYC. 35” w x 36” h x 1” thick Please message us for a shipping quote
Mirror, Laminate
Swedish modern wall mirror by Fröseke, 1940s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Elegant wall mirror produced by Fröseke during the 1940s, exemplifying the refined simplicity of Swedish Modern design. The frame is crafted in beech with subtly undulating, wave-sha...
Mirror, Beech
$1,778Sale Price|20% Off
Large Mid-Century Pine Wall Mirror, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A large Scandinavian wall mirror made in solid pine, Sweden, during the 1970s. The piece displays a refined simplicity characteristic of Nordic modernism, where function and natural ...
Mirror, Pine
Mirror model 80, Glasmäster Markaryd, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Swedish modern mirror produced by Glasmäster in Markaryd, Sweden, during the 1960s. Rectangular form with a frame in brushed brass. Labeled on the reverse, model 80.
Brass
Swedish Modern Wall Mirror in Pewter from CAM, 1929
Located in Örebro, SE
Amazing and very rare wall mirror in pewter from Swedish CAM - 1929. Very decorative piece. Signed with makers mark on the back. Please notice a discreet inscription on the back...
Pewter
An Antti Hakkarainen Wrought Iron Wall Mirror, Taidetakomo Hakkarainen 1930s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful wall mirror in solid iron designed by Antti Hakkarainen and manufactured by Taidetakomo Hakkarainen in the 1930s. The mirror is in great original condition with a beautif...
Iron
Estrid Ericson Mirror with Ivy and Gilded Detail for Svenskt Tenn 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Estrid Ericson
Located in Copenhagen, DK
ESTRID ERICSON AND SVENSKT TENN - SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A beautiful linen covered mirror by the Swedish pioneer in design, Estrid Ericson. The linen covered frame is decorated wi...
Fabric
Danish Designer, Table Mirror, Brass, Denmark, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A small brass table mirror designed and produced in Denmark, 1930s.
Brass