Scandinavian Modern Chairs
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Wool, Oak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Beech, Velvet
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Teak
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak, Walnut
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Steel
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak, Leather
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Beech
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rope, Ash
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rosewood, Fabric
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Birch
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Suede, Wood, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Latvian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak, Leather
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Mahogany, Leather
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Metal, Chrome
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Cane, Wood, Ash
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Sheepskin, Birch
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Birch
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Bouclé, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Walnut
1990s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Metal
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Teak, Fabric
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak, Cane
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rosewood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Pine
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Latvian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Rosewood
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Ash
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Sheepskin
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Metal, Brass
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Pine
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Birch, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Cane, Teak
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Beech
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Sheepskin
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Elm
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rattan
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rosewood
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Papercord, Oak
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Elm
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rosewood, Suede
Scandinavian Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
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