Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
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
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; 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
Hand Woven Abstract Carpet Designed by Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Handwoven wool carpet designed by Timo Sarpaneva from the series "Gulf of Bothnia". Carpet measures 7 feet square and we had it professionally cleaned.
Label says the following:
H...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool, Nylon
Sister Punk rug light and dark grey, with dark red, geometric face, wool carpet
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Hand/knotted rug in New Zealand Wool with a distinct face of a Punk Girl.
Dark Grey with Red lips and red lightning bolts.
Drawn eyes in black with a strong stare of conviction.
St...
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid 20th Century Swedish Rya Carpet ( 9'8" x 17' - 294 x 543 )
Located in New York, NY
Right in the 50’s abstract, Action-painting style, a knot of flowing color radiates across the ecru ground, reaching into two corners. This vintage Swedish Rya rug of exceptionally l...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Signed Ellen Stahlbrand Handwoven Vintage Mid-century Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage handwoven signed Swedish rug has a shaded refined mole brown field with scattered varied geometric shapes, in a darker brown border. Signed by the original weaver, Ellen...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Danish Ege Art Rug. Size: 8' 2" x 11'
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Vintage Swedish Ege Art Rug Based On Arne L Hansen Painting, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Scandinavian Rug, Circa Date: 1950’s – Size: 8 ft 2 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid 20th Century Swedish Rya Carpet ( 6' 2" x 9' 6" -168 x 289 cm)
Located in New York, NY
Mid 20th Century Swedish Rya Carpet ( 6' 2" x 9' 6" -168 x 289 cm)
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Midcentury Ivory/Black Scandinavian Modernist Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A very unusual Swedish pile rug with colour and design reminiscent of Beni Ouarain Berber rugs, indicating that Moroccan carpets were influencing Scandinavian Modern design quite ear...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Bobyrug’s pretty vintage German modern rug, « Forest »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
WOODLAND GEWEBIE NATUR
Discover the elegance of this stunning 1970s carpet crafted in Germany by Cromwell Tefzet. Thick wool, Scandinavian-inspired design, and a stylized forest moti...
Category
1960s German Vintage Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Rug by Barbro Nilsson. 3 ft 6 in x 4 ft 10 in
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Vintage Scandinavian Rug by Barbro Nilsson for Marta Maas, Country Of Origin: Scandinavia, Circa Date: Mid-20th Century - Size: 3 ft 6 in x 4 ft 10 in (1.07 m x 1.47 m).
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Handwoven Swedish-Inspired Wool Striped Flatweave Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Mansour Modern Swedish collection is primarily inspired by vintage Swedish flat-weave rugs whose geometric designs are relevant as ever in the 21st century. The collection utiliz...
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
“Night Mirror” by Brita Molin Vintage Scandinavian Carpet. 9' x 13' 7"
Located in New York, NY
"Spegelnatt/night mirror" vintage Swedish carpet, Brita Molin, country of origin, Sweden, circa date 1971. Size: 9 ft x 13 ft 7 in (2.74 m x 4.14 m)
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Contemporary Swedish Design Rug by Doris Leslie Blau
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Swedish Design Rug by Doris Leslie Blau
Size: 14'7" × 25'1" (444 × 764 cm)
A modern flat weave Aubusson rug, made out of wool. Aubusson rugs originate from France and ar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Textile. 4 ft 2 in x 5 ft 8 in
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Scandinavian Textile, Scandinavia, Circa: Mid-Twentieth Century – Size: 4 ft 2 in x 5 ft 8 in (1.27 m x 1.73 m)
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Carpet. 9 ft 7 in x 6 ft 1 in
Located in New York, NY
A Breathtaking Vintage Scandinavian carpet by Brita Molin titled “Was At Sea”, Country of Origin /Rug Type: Vintage Swedish Rug, Circa Date: 1975. Size: 9 ft 7 in x 6 ft 1 in (2.92 m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Runner. Size: 3' 10" x 23' 3"
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Vintage Scandinavian Runner Rug by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Scandinavia Rug, Circa Date: Late- Twe...
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Double Sided Swedish Rug. 4 ft 6 in x 7 ft 3 in
Located in New York, NY
Vintage double sided Swedish rug 49018, country of origin / rug type: Scandinavia rugs, date circa mid-20th century. Size: 4 ft 6 in x 7 ft 3 in (1.37 m x 2.21 m).
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
'Facial Maze' Handmade Rug by Linie Design, 240 cm, Wool & Linen
By Linie Design
Located in Paris, IDF
Facial Maze, 'Axiom' collection by Linie Design
Rectangular handmade rug.
Materials: 95% New Zealand Wool / 5% Linen
Hand knotted rug
Dimensions: 170 cm x 240 cm
An artistic and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool, Linen
Scandinavian Carpet, Vintage 7'5" x 10'7"
Located in Evanston, IL
Introducing a stunning vintage Scandinavian carpet from the mid-twentieth century, measuring an impressive 6'7" x 10'7". This unique piece boasts a captivating design with a warm red...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
MMF Rug 'Bruna Heden' (Brown Heath) Rölakan Flatweave Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in London, GB
A spectacular vintage example of Marta Måås-Fjetterström's Bruna Heden (Brown Heath) design. The textile is a rölakan flatweave (same pattern on both sides...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Brown, rug, handwoven, white black stripes, beige background 100pct wool carpet
Located in Dubai, Dubai
This carpet is woven on a hand/loom in a technique called 'tip shear' which gives a beautiful texture and a soft feeling on the surface.
The surface is a mix of loops and cut yarn, ...
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Grey, carpet, modern, geometrical black and white stripes, hand woven, rug
Located in Dubai, Dubai
This carpet is woven on a hand/loom in a technique called 'tip shear' which gives a beautiful texture and a soft feeling on the surface.
The surface is a mix of loops and cut yarn,...
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Interior Blue grey brown hand knotted carpet geometric pattern rug
Located in Dubai, Dubai
This is a hand knotted carpet, approx 100 knots per square inch.
It takes approx 3 months from order to finished carpet.
100pct New Zeeland wool is used. The geometric motive alon...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Flat-weave carpet, Sweden, mid-20th century.
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Linen, Wool
Rya Rug Swedish with Abstract Design
Located in Ferrara, IT
This is a beautiful, hand-knotted rya rug with an abstract design in olive green. This piece is woven around 1920-1950 with turkish knots, which create a thick and durable pile. Rya ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a Swedish kilim rug from the mid-20th century. It is signed "IS" by designer Ingegerd Silow. It features geometric forms bordering the perimeter of the rug in a warm yellows ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Flat-weave carpet, Sweden, mid-20th century.
Initialed: NEJ.
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool, Linen
Vintage Scandinavian Kilim Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a Scandinavian flat-woven rug from the mid-20th century. It is signed by the designer. The color palette comprises of gentle shades of pink, icy blue, ivory, and brown in com...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid 20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat-weave rug
Sweden circa 1950
Handwoven.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Shag Rug, circa 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage Scandinavian shag rug from the 1930s. It is truly a unique piece signed by the designer and dated 1931. It features ski...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This a lovely vintage Swedish rug signed by designer Ingegerd Silow from the mid-20th century. The rug features jewel tones of ruby, orange, and fuchsia bordered by browns and geomet...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Swedish kilim rug, signed by designer Britta Swefors is from mid-20th century. It's an eye catching design and moves the viewer's eye from the outer edges and draws to the centr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is beautiful vintage Swedish Kilim rug by designer Anna Joanna Angstrom from the mid-20th century. Its soft colors of greens, blues, and pinks evoke a sense of calmness while th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Deco Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This a boldly colored vintage Swedish deco shag rug from the mid-20th century with expressive lines that give it distinct character. It's an exciting piece, with organic, curvy lines...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a Swedish Kilim rug from the mid-20th century. It is signed "IS" by designer Ingegerd Silow. It features geometric shapes rendered in happy warm colors with a creative take o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Rya Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a Scandinavian Rya rug crafted in the mid-20th century. It features a grand diamond design repeating outward and surrounded by smaller diamonds then bordered by an abstract p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Kilim Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage Scandinavian Kilim from the mid-20th century. It features dainty geometric florals rendered in a lattice work pattern of soft blues, pinks, and yellow greens which ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Runner, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage Swedish flat woven runner from the mid-20th century. It is signed "IS" by the designer, Ingegerd Silow. It features a central field built on variegated stripes in l...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Finnish Vintage Kilim Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a Finnish vintage rug signed by textile artist, Alestasalon Mottokutomo, from the mid-20th century and in excellent condition. It is handwoven ...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Flat Weave Runner, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a masterfully woven vintage Scandinavian runner from the mid-20th century and signed "EJA" by the designer. Many elements come toge...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Deco Rug, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage Scandinavian deco shag rug, intriguing in design and truly unique among vintage Scandinavian carpets. Crafted in the mid-20th century, the design is abstract in nat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Scandinavian Modern western european rugs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern western european rugs 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 western european rugs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets, wall decorations, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern western european rugs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original western european rugs, popular names associated with this style include Ingegerd Silow, Cecilia Setterdahl, Ege Rya, and Märta Måås-Fjetterström. 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 western european rugs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $345 and tops out at $120,000 while the average work can sell for $4,472.