Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN STYLE
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of vintage Scandinavian modern furniture appear in the work of 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.
Characterized by bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries, Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with this style was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Bruno Mathsson, creator of the classic Grasshopper chair and Berlin daybed, but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the ’20s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced Scandinavian modern pieces 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. 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 he 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, maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Vernor Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern designs — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries. Even more than 50 years on from their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight.
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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Unio Armchair by Poiat
By Poiat
Located in Helsinki, FI
The Unio Collection, an easy chair and sofas, was born out of Poiat’s designers interest in studying the relationship of wood and soft furniture. From the very beginning, the idea wa...
Category
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Ash, Plywood
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair 1944
Located in London, GB
Arnold Madsen
The Clam Chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furniture company Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Peter Hvidt 1940s Pair of Boucle Armchairs for Fritz Hansen
Located in London, GB
Peter Hvidt.
Model 1748 lounge chairs, circa 1940s.
These elegant low-back lounge chairs were produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark in the late 1940s by master designer Peter Hvi...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Bouclé, Beech
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair 1944
Located in London, GB
Arnold Madsen
The Clam Chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furniture company Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Pair of Jens Houmoller Klemmensen 1930s Sheepskin Lounge Chairs
Located in London, GB
Jens Houmoller Klemmensen
1939 Lounge Chair
This armchair is a variant of the model first presented at the 1936 Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen and designed by aw...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Fabric, Beech, Oak, Walnut
1950s Arm Chair "Razorblade" in Sheepskin by Henning Kjærnulff, Danish Modern
Located in Odense, DK
Vintage arm chair in solid patinated Scandinavian oak tree and sheepskin. This model was designed in the 1950s by Henning Kjærnulff, Denmark and it takes its name from the razor blad...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Oak, Sheepskin
Paul Leidersdorff for Cado 'Caravelle' Pair of Lounge Chairs in Red Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Leidersdorff for Cado, 'Caravelle' pair of lounge chairs, leather, aluminum and wood, Denmark, 1960s
Modern set of two armchairs. The slipper chairs hold L-shaped seatings an...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Erik Chambert Armchairs Produced by Chamberts Möbelfabriker in Norrköping
Located in Malmo, SE
Rare pair of armchairs designed by Erik Chambert. Produced by Chamberts Möbelfabriker in Norrköping, Sweden.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair, 1944
Located in London, GB
Arnold Madsen
The Clam chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furniture company Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Kai Kristiansen Leather Troja Armchair, c1960
Located in London, GB
Kai Kristiansen 'Troja' round chair from circa 1960. The frame is made from Afromosia African teak wood. The seat has been reupholstered in premium aniline cognac brown leather.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Teak, Leather
1940's Gustaf Axel Berg ''Torparen'' Chair in Birch Plywood and Hemp
Located in Madrid, ES
Gustaf Axel Berg”Torparen” armchair in bent birch plywood and braided hemp fabric. Sweden, 1940s.
Perfect restored condition and light traces of use in the hemp braid.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Hemp, Beech
Safari Chair by Peder Hansen in Eucalyptus Wood and Cognac Leather, New Zealand
By Taraire Crafts, Peder Hansen
Located in Utrecht, NL
Designed by Danish designer Peder Hansen, who immigrated to New Zealand in the 1960s, this safari chair in cognac leather and eucalyptus frame was produced by Taraire Crafts in Auckl...
Category
1960s New Zealand Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Vitra Contemporary Black/Nero Profile Office Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary black plastic and fabric upholstered office chair with adjustable back rest, curved arms, and stretcher base (VITRA for Mario Bellini).
Category
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Armchairs by Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Pair of armchairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and new upholstered with tan aniline leather.
Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with mid-century moder...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Eva Chair in Leather by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
Armchair in leather, model Eva. Designed by Bruno Mathsson, 1941 for Karl Mathsson. Sweden, 1960´s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Beech, Leather
Fritz Hansen Style 1950s Mohair Velvet Armchair
By Fritz Hansen
Located in London, GB
Custom-Made 'Model 54' Armchair
Fritz Hansen inspired lounge chair with solid hardwood frame, stained beech legs and 'Saffron' yellow mohair Velvet by Pierre Frey, Paris. These chai...
Category
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
Mid-Century Swedish Lounge Chairs "Löven" by Arne Norell
Located in Karlstad, SE
Pair of lounge chairs model "Löven" by Arne Norell, 1960s.
These chairs have a timeless classic design and, as with all Norell furniture, the construction quality is extremely high....
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
St. Catherine Armchair, Model FH4355, by Arne Jacobsen and Fritz Hansen, 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
St. Catherine armchair, model FH4355, in oak and upholstered with light fabric designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in the 1960s. The chair is in great vintage ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Pair of Swedish Easy Chairs with Cowhide, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced in Sweden, 1970s. Attributed to Arne Norell.
Dark stained beech and leather.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Cowhide
Borge Mogensen Easy Chairs with Footstool Model 227, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Model 227, produced by Frederica Stolefabrik, Denmark, 1960s.
New and reupholstered cushions in Danish Kvadrat fabric.
Excellent vintage condition.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Danish Armchair by Erik Kirkegaard for Høng Stolefabrik, Denmark, 1985
Located in Schagen, NL
Very nice piece in teak and upholstery in wool. Some light stains to the upholstery and light wear to it’s base.
Category
1980s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wool, Oak
Schulz Chair by Otto Schulz, 1940s
By Otto Schulz
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely large Swedish tufted slipper chair designed by Otto Schulz, circa 1940s, Sweden. Original velvet upholstery - great condition! Chairs are detailed with brass nails.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Velvet
Irving D. Shapiro Brazilian Rosewood Danish Armchair by Larsen + Madsen
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and rare accent chair in older fabric, re-upholstery necessary. Frame is constructed of rare 1950s solid old growth Brazilian rosewood.
Measures: W 26 x D 16 x H 30.5 in...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Rosewood
Kaare Klint Pair of Red Chairs for Rud. Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint pair of red chairs in mahogany, black horsehair and brass nails. Version of the chair with upholstered arms. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, 1930s.
Underside with manufactur...
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Arne Vodder Armchair for Sibast Mobler
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler, model '430,' teak and leather, Denmark, 1960s.
This refined dining chair is designed by the Danish designer Arne Vodder. This modest and elegant chai...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
Pair of "Trienna" Easy Chairs by Carl-Axel Acking, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Natural leather and oak. Designed in 1957. Shown at the Triennale in Milan in 1957, since then referred to as the "Trienna". Produced by NK Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Scandinavian Armchair Attributed to Erik Kirkegaard
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid teak frame with upholstered seat and backrest in black leatherette. Made in Denmark in the late 1950s. New upholstery on request possible (150$ + cost of the leather fabric)
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Patent Leather, Teak
Aksel Bender Madsen & Ejner Larsen Easy Chair by Cabinetmaker Willy Beck
Located in Malmo, SE
Rare armchair or easy chair designed by Aksel Bender Madsen & Ejner Larsen. Produced by cabinetmaker Willy Beck in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
Early Classic Chair by Hans Wegner
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Iconic Hans Wegner Classic chair manufactured by Johannes Hansen. Teak frame with caned seat.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Teak
Danish Modern Arne Hovmand-Olsen Walnut Chair
Located in West Hartford, CT
Vintage Danish modern armchair designed by Arne Hovmand-Olsen with a rounded back and black leather upholstery. Signed on the underside.
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Th.Harlev Model 213 Armchair in Teak and Black Leatherette Farstrup Møbler
Located in Knebel, DK
Model 213 armchair in teak and leatherette / skai designed by TH Harlev for Farstrup Møbler in 1958.
The well designed, well crafted and comfortable chair will fit in well almost an...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Teak
Carl Malmsten Set of Ten Armchairs in Walnut and Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carl Malmsten, armchairs, walnut, leather, Sweden, 1940s.
Rare set of armchairs designed by Swedish designer Carl Malmsten. These chairs contain a warm walnut frame which is nice...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Mid Century Lounge Chair, Reupolstered, Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker, 1960s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely lounge chair made in solid beech with reupholstered cushion in grey wool. Made by a Danish cabinetmaker, ca 1960s.
This object is in a great vintage condition.
With a he...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wool, Beech
Danish Cabinetmaker 1940s Boucle Wing Chair
Located in London, GB
Danish cabinetmaker - wing chair c1940s.
Angular wing chair by an anonymous Danish cabinetmaker dating from the 1940s. The chair has stained beech legs and has been reupholstered ...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Beech
Niels Møller Teak / Leather Model 55 Armchair Denmark
Located in Buffalo, NY
Niels Møller teak / leather Model 55 armchair. Denmark, nice original condition, retains original ink stamp, price per chair, open to offers for set of 4.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
Pair of Hans J. Wegner Armchair "JH-501" in Oak & Rattan Cane, Danish Modern
Located in Odense, DK
Designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949 this is one of the most iconic pieces of Danish modern furniture design. Pair of rare and early model "JH-501" made by cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Oak, Rattan
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair 1944
Located in London, GB
Arnold Madsen
The Clam Chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furniture company Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Beech, Oak, Walnut, Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair 1944
Located in London, GB
Arnold Madsen
The Clam Chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furniture company Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Beech, Oak, Walnut, Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair 1944
Located in London, GB
Arnold Madsen
The Clam Chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furniture company Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair, 1944
Located in London, GB
Arnold Madsen
The Clam chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furniture company Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Arnold Madsen Boucle Clam Chair 1944
Located in London, GB
Arnold Madsen
The Clam Chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furniture company Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut
Niels Otto Møller Armchairs Model 56 Produced by J.L Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Malmo, SE
Rare armchairs model 56 designed by Niels Otto Møller. Produced by J.L Møllers Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Textile, Oak
Ilmari Lappalainen "Rex" Armchair for Asko, Finland, 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Like the “Laila” model, this chair was designed by Finnish designer, Ilmari Lappalainen for Asko in 1948, and become a beloved model. So much so, that during the 1990s, it was put ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Arnold Madsen Sheepskin Clam Chair 1944
Located in London, GB
Arnold Madsen
The Clam Chair, 1944
The Clam chair was first designed in 1944 in Copenhagen by Danish upholsterer Arnold Madsen. In 1945 Arnold founded the furniture company Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wool, Bouclé, Beech, Oak, Walnut, Sheepskin
Bernt Petersen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Set of Four Dining Chairs in Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bernt Petersen for Søborg Møbelfabrik, set of four dining chairs, leather, mahogany, Denmark, 1960s
Elegant and comfortable set of four dining chairs designed by Bernt Petersen in...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Niels Otto Møller Hardwood Armchair Model 64, Denmark
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid hard wood frame, Model 64 armchairs, designed in 1966 by Niels Moller for his own workshop: J.L. Moller Mobelfabrik in Denmark. The seats have been newly woven in Danish paperc...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Papercord, Hardwood
Slöjdprodukter Bjärnum, Armchair, Painted Wood and Iron, Sweden, 1940s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An armchair / side chair / garden chair. Designed and produced by Slöjdprodukter Bjärnum, Sweden, 1940s.
In painted iron and painted wood.
See listing LU3228124053422 for a m...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Iron
Pair of Henning Kjaernulf "Razor Blade" Armchairs in Oak and Sheepskin, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of "Razor Blades" armchairs designed by Henning Kjaernulf / Henning Kjærnulf in solid stained oak (dark brown) and produced by EG Kvalitetsmøbel, Denmark 1960s. Professiona...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Oak
Oak, Green Velvet Modern Essex Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
A sleek chair with an artistic appeal, that was inspired by the architecture of New York City buildings in this case The Essex Building in Central Park south.
This chair is designed...
Category
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Suede, Wood, Oak
Henning Kjærnulf, "Razorblade" Lounge Chair in Oak & Bouclé, Danish Modern 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Rare carved lounge chair in solid oak. Designed by Henning Kjaernulf for EG Kvalitetsmøbel, Denmark 1950s. Model "Razor blade".
The seat and back is reupholstered in great quality B...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Bouclé, Oak
Hans Wegner Armchair Model Jh-501 / the Chair by Johannes Hansen in Denmark
Located in Malmo, SE
Rare armchair model JH-501 / the chair designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by Johannes Hansen in Denmark.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Teak, Cane
Svend Skipper Grey Velvet Lounge Chair with Teak Armrests
Located in Madrid, ES
Wing chair designed by Svend Skipper and produced in Denmark in the 1960s. In the style of "Papa Bear" chair by Hans Wegner. Teak armrest tips and round tapered legs. Reupholstered i...
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Teak
Armchair Upholstered with Blue Velvet and Mahogany Designed by Fritz Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Armchair upholstered with blue velvet and mahogany designed by Fritz Henningsen. The chair is in great vintage condition.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Rare Rosewood Armchairs by Enjer Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These are rare rosewood armchairs by Enjer Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen for Larsen + Madsen, c1955. Fully restored in beautiful Italian leather. Allow 3-4 weeks if upholstery servi...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Midcentury Danish Modern Upholstered Armchair
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden armchair from Denmark with upholstered seat and back, circa 1960. A chic seat, perfectly calibrated to facilitate conversation and silent contemplation, following design pri...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Large Wing Back Lounge Chair Designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen, Denmark
Located in Antwerp, BE
Comfortable walnut wing back chair designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen, 1954, produced by Carlo Ghan Denmark. Original black leather upholstery with a loose cushion and a comfortable cushion...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Walnut, Leather
Swedish Modern Armchair in the Style of Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s
Located in Odense, DK
Sculptural armchair made in beech. Strong references to Swedish architect Axel Einar Hjorth.
It is Axel Einar Hjorths dedication of Art Deco and Modernist aesthetics that make his...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Set of 4 Dining Chairs, Model 42, Designed by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
A set of 4 dining chairs, model 42, designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Schou Andersen in the 1960s. The chairs are of rosewood and upholstered in light striped wool fabric.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wool, Rosewood
