Skip to main content

Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

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 

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

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. 

316
12
2
to
29
330
1,585
330
325
325
2,730
1,242
389
387
328
195
190
158
155
97
93
79
76
70
32
19
15
316
14
4
277
27
1
1
15
44
97
72
14
4
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
221
136
36
37
21
26
16
21
12
12
12
12
305
137
134
122
120
299
277
227
30
14
47
16
15
14
13
Item Ships From: USA
Style: Scandinavian Modern
Norwegian Modern Sculpted Teak & Leather Arm Chairs by Gerhard Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Gerhard Berg Manufacturer: L.K. Hjelle Mobelfabrikk ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Foam, Wood

2 Finn Juhl "Diplomat" Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finn Juhl "Diplomat" armchairs designed in 1961 and produced by France & Son. NOTE: I ONLY HAVE 2 CHAIRS LEFT.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Frits Henningsen Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Frits Henningsen armchair. Wood is Mahogany. New black leather. 1940's.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Borge Mogensen Pair of Model 3242 Oak Side or Armchairs for Fredricia
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very elegant pair of armchairs model 3242 designed by Borge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, Denmark in the 1960s. Very modern and clean profile expressed in a design that was ah...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Oak, Linen

Matching Pair of Mid Century Danish Modern Lounge Chairs in Teak & Sage Tweed
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome matching pair of Danish armchair easy chairs. They are completely refurbished and ready for immediate use.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Vintage Mid-Century Modern IB Kofod Larsen for Selig Penguin Accent Chair
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is an original 'Penguin' chair designed by IB Kofod Larsen for Selig. This piece was designed in 1953 and had a limited production through the 1960s. This chair ...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Danish Modern Lounge Chairs by Arne Vodder in Teddy Faux Fur
Located in Denton, TX
Solid teak armchairs with new Sherpa faux fur designed by Arne Vodder.
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Teak

Hans Wegner Pair of Armchairs, Model PP-201
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans J. Wegner pair of oak armchairs, model PP-201. Oak with papercord seats, top rails with wengé inlays. Designed in 1969. Produced by PP Møbler, model PP 201. Literature: 'Wegner's 100 chairs...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Papercord, Oak

Svend Aage Madsen "Cowhorn" Armchair
Located in San Francisco, CA
Svend Aage Madsen "cowhorn" armchair for K.Knudson & Son, Denmark. Very rare sculptural design chair by one of Denmark's masters. Made with shaped teak arm...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Classic Scandinavian Modern Walnut Lounge Chair by Dux, Sweden
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Scandinavian Modern walnut lounge chair by DUX / Sweden, amazing sculptural walnut curved arms, superior quality and construction, retains original upholstery, nice original ...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Frits Henningsen Double Layer Caned Back Transitional Modern Armchair
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This armchair was designed and built by master Danish cabinet maker Frits Henningsen. The chair features a double layered cane back, new wool-linen blend upholstery in a flax/pale sa...
Category

1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Beech

Teak & Leather Lounge Chair, Model FD136, by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen
Located in Dorchester, MA
Finn Juhl designed this elegant lounge chair, model FD 136, for France & Daverkosen (later known as France & Son). The slender teak frame with its sculpted armrests complements the g...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Poul Kjaerlohm for Fritz Hansen PK 31 Easy Armchair in Ivory White Leather 1958
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fritz Hansen PK 31 armchair ivory white leather, Scandinavian Modern Icon. Poul Kjaerholm, 1958 Matt chromed spring steel, leather, down Made in Den...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Ole Wanscher for France and Son "Senator" Chairs in Teak
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Danish modern easy chairs (model 116) designed by Ole Wanscher for France & Son. Composed of a dense slat-back frame, designed with a partially exposed back to better reveal ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Teak, Leather

Tall Danish Modern Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful Mid-Century Modern lounge chair features teak hardwood frame and high back upholstered seat. Adjustable reclining option locks the chair into varying angles for optimu...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Teak, Upholstery

Mid-Century Modern Fredrik Kayser Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant pair of sculptural rosewood lounge chairs by the Danish designer Fredrik A. Kayser. This impressive mid-century pair of armchairs make comfortable office seating area chairs,...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Rosewood, Upholstery

Pair of Vintage Danish Teak and Leather Armchairs by Grete Jalk for Glostrup
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern pair of lounge armchairs designed by Grete Jalk for Glostrup Møbelfabrik. This set features sculpted teak arms and a comfortable curved backrest. They have been pr...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Set of Six Kaare Klint Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Kaare Klint armchairs designed in 1927 and produced by Rud Rasmussen.
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany, Fabric

Pair of Hans Wegner Lounge Chairs in Oak
Located in Denton, TX
Great pair on Danish modern in white oak with gray fabric by Hans Wegner.
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

6 Hans Wegner JH-509 Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18 Hans Wegner JH-509 armchairs designed in 1962 and produced by Johannes Hansen. We have a few more if you need them. NOTE: WE ONLY HAVE 6 LEFT
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Rolf Rastad & Adolf Relling “Bambi” Cane Armchair for Gustav Bahus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic modern Bambi armchair designed by Rolf Rastad and Adolf Relling for Gustav Bahus in Norway circa1950s. This iconic Bambi design is exceptionally crafted in teak wood with lon...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Wood, Teak

Pair of Scandinavian Modern Elmwood and Chromed Metal Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Scandinavian Modern armchairs with chromed metal and solid elm wood arms and feet. These modernist chair have a low profile and combine details from Bauhaus designs with more...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Ib Madsen for Madsen & Schübell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair with ottoman by Ib Madsen for Madsen & Schübell, Denmark, circa 1950s. The chair and ottoman retain original black leather upholstery and feature multiple settings for c...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Danish Modern Occasional Chair with Truncated Arms
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This striking little occasional chair has a new Danish-cord seat. Frame is a stained oak with just a touch of glossiness to the finish. Professional, skilled furniture restoration...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Papercord, Oak

'The Chair' a Teak Round Chair with a Caned Seat by Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak 'Round' chair with masterfully sculpted backrest and arms floating atop tapered dowel legs having a caned seat. This sublime chair became known a...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Teak, Cane

Midcentury Danish Walnut Armchairs in Black
Located in Oakland, CA
Pair of midcentury walnut lounge chairs with sculpted walnut frame and comfortable curved backrest; upholstered in the original black vinyl upholstery. Good condition with minor sign...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Armchair in the Style of Carl Malmsten, Sweden 1950s
Located in Westport, CT
Armchair in gold chenille in the style of Carl Malmsten. Walnut legs fully restored, newly reupholstered.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chenille, Walnut

Oxhide Teak Lounge Chair by Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A very rare teak armchair / lounge chair retaining the original oxhide black leather seat and back upholstery. Designed by Hans J. Wegner and crafted by Johannes Hansen circa 1950s i...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Jutex Teak and Leather Armchair, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous midcentury Danish modern club chair featuring a unique design, with articulating seat back. By Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Jutex ...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Spanish Chair Borge Mogensen Style Teak and Leather, circa 1960
Located in Camden, ME
Borge Mogenson style armchair in teak not oak. The similarity to his "Spanish Chair" from 1958 from the style of the leather, the frame angles, and the scale of the "paddle" armrests...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Classic Danish Armchairs in Solid Oak by Knud Andersen, J.C.A. Jensen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Danish armchairs in solid oak by Knud Andersen, J.C.A. Jensen, Aarhus Denmark, nice original condition, retains original finish, patina, extremely comfortable, solid, sturdy ...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Naugahyde, Oak, Teak

1960s Danish Upholstered Rocking Chair by Sigvard Bernadotte for France & Son
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Solid teak, upholstered rocking chair in vintage velvet fabric.  
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

1950s Danish Upholstered High Back Armchair by Hvidt & Mölgaard-Nielsen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A high back armchair designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mölgaard-Nielsen having an exposed teak frame with expressive bent laminated curved arms and vintage blue upholstery. Made in Denm...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

Danish Lounge Chair by Karen and Ebbe Clemmensen
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Handsome and well constructed lounge chair in solid ash, with black oxhide sling arms and original leather seat and back. Manufactured by Fritz Hansen.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Ash, Leather

1950s Danish Rosewood Humpback Armchair by Ole Wanscher for A. J. Iversen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant humpback armchair with black leather upholstery and welting on an exposed rosewood frame.  
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Eight Leather Dining Chairs Attributed to Frits Henningsen
Located in Dallas, TX
An extremely graceful design, eight dining chairs attributed to Frits Henningsen. The frames with rare form executed in the finest hand dyed leather with nailhead trim, on rich dark ...
Category

1940s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

Pair of Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of Danish modern arm, lounge chairs designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold. Selling and priced as a pair, in origi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Dining Chair by Helge Vestergaard Jensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Scandinavian Modern ladder back dining chair by renowned Danish designer Helge Vestergaard-Jensen. This sculptural chair features a luminous Brazilian rosewood frame with black lea...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

1960s Danish Teak Armchair by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A comfortably wide (27.5’’) conference chair in solid teak and black leather. The designers characteristically clad the upper half of the chair in black leather while the exposed woo...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Hans Wegner AP-27 Lounge Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans Wegner AP-27 lounge chair designed in 1954 and produced by A. P. Stolen. Store formerly known as ARTFUL DODGER INC
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak, Teak

Armchair or Dining Chair by Helge Vestergaard Jensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Scandinavian Modern ladder back dining chair by renowned Danish designer Helge Vestergaard-Jensen. This sculptural chair features a luminous Brazilian rosewood frame with black lea...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Midcentury Danish Modern Upholstered Armchair Lounge Chairs After DUX in Walnut
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome matching pair of upholstered lounge chairs from Scandinavia circa 1960s. These chairs feature simple design lines, high backs, and walnut legs. Both are fully restored and...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

1949 Hunting Chair Borge Mogensen Erhard Rasmussen Labeled Leather Sling Lounge
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A very rare hand produced and retains original paper labeled remnants, hunting chair. Handmade by Erhard Rasmussen in 1948-1950 for Borge Mogensen. Retains most of original labels, t...
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Minimal Chair by Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
"Model 701" minimal armchair with sculpted maple and wenge inlay backrest, original red upholstered seat and frame in chromium-plated steel.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Møre Lenestol Fabrikk Klarinett Teak Lounge Chair
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a 1950s Scandinavian Modern 'Klarinett' lounge chair by Møre Lenestol Fabrikk A/S. It is made of teak wood with a newly re-cushioned a...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Teak

Pair Danish Leather Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair Scandinavian Modern lounge chairs features tufted vintage leather, sleek and slender rosewood frame, and unique Danish design. The comfortable and stylish contour...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Kaare Klint Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kaare Klint armchair designed in 1927 and produced by Rud Rasmussen.
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Ejner Larsen and A. Bender Madsen Danish Teak Lounge Chair and Ottoman Set
Located in Peabody, MA
Danish teak lounge armchair and footstool/ottoman, circa mid-1950s. Designed by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen and made by Ludvig P...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

Scandinavian Midcentury Armchairs in Plaid, Set of 6
Located in Austin, TX
Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern armed dining chairs or office chairs. Scandinavian styling in solid birch frame with bentwood back and custom upholstere...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Bentwood

Pair of Vintage Danish Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great pair of comfortable Mid-Century Danish lounge chairs with teak frames and cushioned seats and backs. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Armchair by Alvar Aalto
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A laminated birch armchair with a black linen webbed seat and cane wrapped arms.
Category

1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Finn Juhl NV 48 Chair for Niels Vodder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Finn Juhl model NV 48 armchair for Niels Vodder, with embossed maker's stamp to the rear stretcher. Good condition black leather upholstery with a refinished tea...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Teak

Frits Henningsen Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Frits Henningsen armchair.
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Chair by Gernot Rasenberger
By Gernot Rasenberger
Located in Long Island City, NY
A chair by Gernot Rasenberger. Spain, circa late 20th century. Pained wood, cow hide and horns with brass decoration. Labelled: "Pintor, Escultor y Disenador. Gernot Rasenberger. M...
Category

1990s Spanish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Animal Skin

Erik Andersen and Palle Pedersen Pair of Rare Arm Chairs
By Erik Kollig Andersen and Palle Pedersen
Located in Highland, IN
This exquisite pair of teak easy chairs were designed by Erik Andersen and Palle Pedersen and fabricated by cabinetmaker Randers Møbelfabrik.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Rosewood, Teak

Rare Pair of Armchairs by Hvidt & Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of two (2) Scandinavian Modern armchairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Solid Cuban mahogany wood with hand-sculpted armrests and upholstered seat and back. Produced ...
Category

1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wool, Mahogany

Pair of Heavily Patinated Hans Wegner Leather Armchairs JH-513 Chairs Rare Oak
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Presented in as found condition, from an old Pennsylvania architecture office. Heavy wear to each of the original black leather seats cushions, both with rips and tears, and drying f...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Alvar Aalto Cantilever Chair, Model 31
Located in San Francisco, CA
Alvar Aalto cantilever chair, model 31. A very rare 1st edition model 31 lounge chair by Alvar Aalto in birch plywood with a floating bac...
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Scandinavian Modern armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern armchairs 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 armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Hans J. Wegner, Fritz Hansen, Ole Wanscher, and Finn Juhl. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $72 and tops out at $207,921 while the average work can sell for $3,961.

Recently Viewed

View All