Scandinavian Modern Dining Room 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
- Originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden and Finland
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus and modernism; 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.
1980s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Beech
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Oak, Bouclé
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Pine
Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Pine
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Birch
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
1960s Dutch Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wool, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Teak, Leather
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Pine
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1960s English Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Teak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Beech
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Bouclé, Oak
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wool, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Sheepskin, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Fabric
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wool, Oak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Birch
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Oak
Late 20th Century Thai Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Pine
1960s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Walnut
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Teak
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Faux Leather, Rosewood
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Teak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Lambskin, Teak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Faux Leather, Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak, Teak
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Birch, Plywood
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Beech
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Mahogany
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Pine
Scandinavian Modern dining room chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
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