Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
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
Period: 1960s
Norwegian Sterling Silver Bangle Bracelet by David-Andersen 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely and classic modernist style sterling silver bangle bracelet by David Andersen, Norway 1960s. The armring can be adjust to fit any preference you wish and are suitable for both...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Long Silver Necklace by Marianne Berg for Uni David-Andersen, Norway, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely silver necklace by designer Marianne Berg for Uni David-Andersen 1960s Norway. This is a two-section longer pendant with Viking inspired patterns on a long silver chain neckla...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Brass Vintage Clip on Earrings by Anna Greta Eker, Norway, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Midcentury brass clip earrings with a dark purple glass stone in the middle with a cut rock shape. Designed by Anna Greta Eker, Norway, 1960s. A typical couple of vintage earrings re...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Brass
Lovely Set of 7 Scandinavian Wooden Woodpecker Corkscrews, 1960s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Lovely Set of 7 Scandinavian Wooden Woodpecker Corkscrews + 2 WIne Corks, 1960s
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Lovely Set of 6 Scandinavian Wooden Danish Vikings, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Fantastic collection of 6 different Scandinavian Vikings.
Measures: The largest is 33.5 cm high. The others are 22 cm, 18 cm, 13.5 cm and 9 cm high.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Wood
Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel, Sofa Table
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A beautiful piece of Classic Scandinavian Modern design, fits perfectly in the hand feels good and the function is as good as the form as it always should be.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak, Teak
Scandinavian Modern Necklace by KE Palmberg for Alton ca 1960's
By Alton
Located in Örebro, SE
Cool scandinavian modern necklace by KE Palmberg for Alton ca 1960's.
Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use.
Measurements: length ca 48 cm, width 6,8 cm...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Scandinavian Modern Silver Brooch and Screw Back Earrings, Victor Jansson -1964
Located in Örebro, SE
Beautiful Scandinavian Modern silver brooch and screw back earrings by Victor Jansson, Sweden -1964. Signed with makers mark.
Measurements brooch:...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Scandinavian White and Molded Porcelain Madonna on Teak Panel, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Scandinavian white hand molded porcelain Madonna on teak panel, 1960s.
The white porcelain makes a wonderful contrast to the teak. Perfectly formed, very delicate and expressive.
...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain, Teak
Vintage Rectangular Bronze Brooch by Uni David-Andersen for D.a. Norway 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely bronze brooch designed by Uni David-Andersen for David Andersen AS in the 1960s Norway. The broch has a Viking inspired look with a rectangular shape and geometric patterns. A...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Original Danish Piet Hein "Solitaire" Teak Board Game Complete Set Vintage 1960s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Vintage "Solitaire" board game designed by Piet Hein for Danish wood manufacturer Skjøde, Skjern. Both the board and the pegs are made from teak.
Designed and made ca. 1960s.
This piece comes including the original leather bag for storing the pegs and the original instructions in Danish, German and English attached to the bottom.
Marked on bottom:
Piet Hein Skjøde...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Teak, Wood
Scandinavian Modern Silver & Amber Necklace & Armring by Niels Erik From Denmark
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish modernistic pendant necklace with matching armring designed by the Danish silversmith Niels Erik From circa 1960-70. The original neck-ring is comprised of a single bend st...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Danish Modernist Silver Bracelet with Leaves, AJ Sterling, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A. modernist sterling silver bracelet designed by silversmith Arne Johansen and studio-made circa 1960-70. Hallmarked: Sterling, AJ, Denmark. Reminiscent...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Rare Modern Design in the Home, Milena Lamarová / Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1965
- designer : Miroslav Rada
- Artia Praha
- English version
- original condition, see the photos
- 207 pages
- many beautiful pictures
- jr.
Category
1960s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Rock Crystal Stone Silver Ring by Bengt Hallberg Sweden 1967
Located in Stockholm, SE
Silverring with a brilliant cut rock crystal stone in the middle by Bengt Hallberg Guldsmed AB, Sweden 1967
The stone is embraced with a wheel sha...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rock Crystal, Silver
Bronze bracelet and ring set by Uni David-Andersen for D Andersen Norway 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely bracelet and ring bronze set designed by Uni David-Andersen in the 1960s Norway. This jewellery set has a Viking inspired look with rectangular shaped bracelet of connected se...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Sterling Silver Necklace Sunburst by Tone Vigeland for Plus, Norway, 1960s
By Tone Vigeland, Plus Norway
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vintage sterling silver pendant designed by well known Norwegian designer Tone Vigeland for Plus Studios, Norway 1960s.
The necklace has a shape as a sun and can easily be connected to the silver collier/neckring.
The pendant is stamped Sterling 925S and the symbol for Plus Studios, Norway.
Measures of pendant: 6.5 cm D x 9 cm H. Diameter of silver neckring: 13 cm.
Mid-century designer Tone Vigeland (1938) is a Norwegian silversmith and vintage jewelery...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Blue Stone Vintage Silverbracelet by Victor Jansson, Sweden, 1966
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful blue Bergslagen stone silver bracelet by Victor Jansson for Lindesberg, Sweden 1966. The stone has a triangle shape and traces of white stone within it. Clasp inside to ope...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
"FritzHansen-Furniture" Catalog, 1963
By Fritz Hansen
Located in New York, NY
Hardcover catalog of Fritz Hansen furniture featuring work by Arne Jacobsen, Borge Mogensen, Hans Wegner, Verner Panton, Kaare Klint, Karen and Ebbe Clemmensen, Kristian Vedel, Mogen...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Midcentury Ladderlike Silverpendant by NE From 1960s, Denmark
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wonderful pendant silver necklace Danish midcentury designer NE from in the 1960s, Denmark. With horizontal bars lying on top of each other like a ladder. Slig...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Sterling Silver Vintage Neck Ring by N.E. From, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Classic beautiful silver neck ring by Niels Erik From, Denmark, 1960s. Easy to wear and put on / off your neck. Stamped with: Stamped with From 925S.
Special and Classic jewelry i...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Silverring with a Hook 1950s-1960s Scandinavia
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful and classic silverring with a shape as a hook. Perfect for any occasion. Marked with silverstamp 925. Scandinavian design.
Size: Inner diameter is 17 mm. Thickness of ban...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Sterling Silver Rock Crystal Modernist Necklace Alton Sweden, 1968
By Alton
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sterling silver modernist rock crystal set collar / necklace attributed to K.E. Palmberg for Alton Sweden. Stamped; Pege ALTON F for Falköping, S9 for 196...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
Nautical Horn in Copper and Brass, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
An unusual long, lean and stylish maritime fog horn (presumably). It made from solid copper and has a brass mouthpiece. Manufactured in Scandinavia during the...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Copper
Danish Modernist Leaf Brooch in Gold and with Akoya Pearl by Herman Siersbøl
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A delicate Danish brooch in shape of a 8-carat gold leaves balanced with Akoya Pearl. Designed by Herman Siersbøl in Denmark during the 1960s. It is st...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Vintage pair of silver earclips `Innovative Space` Marianne Berg for D. Andersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely pair of vintage ear rings designed by Marianne Berg for Uni David Andersen in the 1960s, Norway. These ear rings has a waved triangel shape ...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Danish Modernist Leaf Brooch in Gold with Akoya Pearl by Herman Siersbøl
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A delicate Danish brooch in shape of a 8-carat gold leaf with Akoya Pearl. Designed by Herman Siersbøl in Denmark during the 1960s. It is stamped HS HS...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
1960s Scandinavian Modern Farmhouse Toys by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A brightly colored and whimsical miniature farm set by the Danish master of whimsey Kay Bojesen. The fifteen individual wooden pieces consist of a farmhouse of laminated beech with removable gray roof, two beds a bench, two tables, barn of laminated beech with red removable gate, the wooden figures of mom, dad, and youngster, livestock being wooden cows...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beech
Unique Brass and Copper midcentury Bracelet by Anna Greta Eker, Norway, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful vintage brass bracelet desinged and made by Norwegian silversmith Anna Greta Eker. This brass bracelet has decorative copper details on the outside combined with colored "s...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Copper
Brass and Naturestone vintage Clip Earrings by Anna Greta Eker, Norway, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Gorgeous midcentury brass clip earrings with a purple nature stone by designer Anna Greta Eker, Norway, 1970s. Organic and oval shape with brass orname...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Danish Blown Glass Hanging Ornaments
By Kastrup
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A luminous and expressive group of of blown glass hanging ornaments.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass
Vintage Model of Danish Mid-Century Corner Chair
Located in New York, NY
Apprentice cabinet makers would make models of furniture as a part of their training. A lovely addition for a collector of miniature chairs and a generally appealing decorative acces...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
Sterling Silver and Amethyst Bracelet by Bent Knudsen
By Bent Knudsen
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Interesting Scandinavian cuff from Danish jewelry designer Bent Knudsen in sterling with amethyst. Signed with impressed manufacturer's mark to interior: [Sterl...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Carved Teak Pipe Rest
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A carved and sculptural pipe rest crafted from a single piece of warm teak.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
Hand-hammered Sterling Sculptural Necklace or Choker by Jan Arenhill, 1969
By Jan Arenhill
Located in Houston, TX
Unique sterling silver necklace by Jan Arenhill, Malmö.
Malmö, Sweden, circa 1969,
hand-hammered sterling silver.
Impressed with following hallmarks:
Year mark T9 1969.
Artist's ...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Wall-Mounted Tilting Tobacco Vessel
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A wall-mounted lidded tobacco vessel having a rounded tilting form on mounted arms crafted of turned and carved richly figured teak.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
Silver Craft Necklace
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A simple silver necklace with a framed abstract design and three loose hanging rings.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Scandinavian Modern collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Kay Bojesen, Alton, David Andersen, and Anna-Greta Eker. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $12 and tops out at $332,864 while the average work can sell for $470.
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