Scandinavian Modern Benches
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.
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Upholstery, Teak
1940s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Leather, Birch
20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Benches
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Birch
1940s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Leather, Birch
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Leather, Mahogany
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Walnut
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Rattan, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Benches
Papercord, Wood, Oak
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Benches
Wood, Willow
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Rattan, Oak
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Wood, Jute
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Benches
Mohair, Oak
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Papercord, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Leather, Mahogany
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine, Fabric
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Walnut
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Birch
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Birch
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Teak, Fabric, Wool
2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Benches
Oak, Walnut
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Ash
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Papercord, Wood, Walnut
2010s Canadian Scandinavian Modern Benches
Oak
2010s Canadian Scandinavian Modern Benches
Oak
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Papercord, Oak
2010s Canadian Scandinavian Modern Benches
Oak
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Fabric, Pine
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Benches
Papercord, Wood, Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Brass
2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Benches
Oak, Walnut
2010s Canadian Scandinavian Modern Benches
Oak
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Hardwood, Maple
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Steel
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Ash
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Benches
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Oak
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Benches
Wood, Oak, Willow
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Cane, Oak
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pearwood
1960s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Teak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Walnut, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Benches
Wood, Ash
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Benches
Pine