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Scandinavian Modern Settees

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. 

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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Color:  Gray
Viggo Boesen, "Attribution" Settee, Bamboo, Cane, Fabric, Denmark, 1940s
By Viggo Boesen, E.V.A. Nissen & Co. 1
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of lounge chairs. Design attributed to Viggo Boesen. Presumably produced by E. V. A. Nissen & Co., Denmark. c. 1940s-1950s. In moulded bamboo with rattan / cane details. Sea...
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Settees

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Fabric

Frits Henningsen 1940s Settee
Located in Hudson, NY
Solid mahogany two-seat sofa designed and made by Frits Henningsen in the 1940s. Two-tone velour upholstery with black upper and silver seat.
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Settees

Materials

Wood

Carl Malmsten "Samspel" Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" sofa designed in 1955 and produced by OH Sjogren. Store formerly known as ARTFUL DODGER INC
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Settees

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1950s Swedish Velvet Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
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Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden, the 'Samspel' sofa is one of the finest pieces to be drawn by Sweden...
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1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Settees

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Danish 1940s Sofa in Lambswool with Armrests in Carved Elm by Alfred Christensen
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Rattan Settee with Schumacher Fabric Cushions, 1920s
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1920s Adirondack stylish rattan loveseat. Cushions fabricated in a Schumacher fabric.
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Carl Malmsten 1950s Cirkus Sofa in Boucle Fabric
Located in London, GB
Carl Malmsten - Cirkus Sofa, c1950s Model 'Cirkus' love-seat sofa, designed in the 1950s by Swedish Master designer Carl Malmsten and produced by OH Sjögren in Tranås, Sweden. The sofa has restored and re-finsiehd stained elm wood legs and has been reupholstered in off-white boucle fabric. H 80cm / D 80cm / W 151cm / SH 41cm.
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Frits Henningsen Settee
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Frits Henningsen Settee.
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Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees

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Frits Henningsen Settee
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H 32 in W 53 in D 27 in
Alfred Christensen Settee or Sofa Danish Midcentury in Cuban Mahogany, 1940's
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Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk in the 1940s. Beautiful refined lines with curving arms, coil springs in th...
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Danish Curved Banana Sofa in a Powder Pink Wool Fabric, 1940s
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Frits Henningsen Chairs, Denmark, 1940s
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An original pair of Frits Henningsen chairs, Denmark, 1940s. Designed and produced by Frits Henningsen, Copenhagen. The chairs have pre...
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Frits Henningsen Chairs, Denmark, 1940s
Frits Henningsen Chairs, Denmark, 1940s
H 39.57 in W 26.19 in D 33.47 in
Danish Midcentury 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Alfred Christensen
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Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style of open armrests carved from solid beech wood and made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk in the 1940s. Beautiful ref...
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Danish Modern Settee by Jacob Kjaer, 1940
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful Danish modern settee designed by Jacob Kjaer, 1940s, dark stained beech legs with a newly upholstered linen fabric.
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Danish Easy Settee with Oak Armrests, 1940s attributed to Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant and charming easy style settee from the 1940s attributed to Slagelse Mobelvaerk. These type of 1940s pieces are increasingly coming into fashion, however. Made from oiled oak...
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Frits Henningsen Settee
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Frits Henningsen Settee
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H 33 in W 52 in D 28 in
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Carl Malmsten Settee with New Upholstery
Located in Dallas, TX
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19th Century Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Settees

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Hans Wegner 3-Seat Oak Sofa
Located in Epperstone, Nottinghamshire
Classic three-seat sofa model GE290 designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA, Denmark. Solid oak frame with fully reconditioned and reupholstered original sprung cushions.
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Hans Wegner 3-Seat Oak Sofa
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Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist Chaise Longue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist "Garden Of Eden" chaise longue was designed in 1958 and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet. We do upholstery. Send us your fabric. Store formerly known as ARTF...
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Black Leather Settee in the Style of Børge Mogensen
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed in the manner of Børge Mogensen, this Danish modern settee offers a comfortable seat for two. Upholstered in black leather, it sits on solid wood block legs.
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Rare Settee by Elias Svedberg
Located in Hudson, NY
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Rare Settee by Elias Svedberg
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Ole Wanscher Sofa
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Scandinavian Modern settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern settees 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 settees created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern settees 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 settees, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, Frits Henningsen, Kaare Klint, and Børge Mogensen. 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 settees differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $910 and tops out at $65,000 while the average work can sell for $5,900.

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