Scandinavian Modern Stools
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
- 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.
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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Recognized Seller Listings
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine Wood, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine wood stool produced in Sweden, c. 1970s.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Swedish Designer, Stool, Wood, Fabric, Webbing, Sweden, C. 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood, fabric, and webbing stool, produced by a Swedish designer, Sweden, c. 1960s.
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Swedish Designer, Stool, Solid Turned Pine, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine stool, produced by a Swedish designer, Sweden, c. 1970s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1983
Located in High Point, NC
A solid turned pine stool produced in Sweden, 1983. Signed and dated to underside.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Swedish Maker, Stool, Solid Blue Painted Wood, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A simple and modernist stool. Produced in Sweden, dated 1971. In solid painted wood.
Other designers of the period include Axel Einar Hjorth, Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret,...
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Wood
Ingvar Hildingsson, Stool, Solid Oak, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A sculptural solid oak stool designed Ingvar Hildingsson, Kalmar Läns Slöjdare IH Slöjd Rugstorp, Sweden, 1960s.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Oak
Set of Three "Pirkka" Stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Artek, Finland, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of three stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, from the furniture line “Pirkka”. Cool, rounded design with pine seats and black lacquered legs.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Swedish Designer, Stools, Solid Turned Pine, c. 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of solid pine stools, designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Stool
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool by unknown designer.
Category
1950s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Rattan, Beech
Bent Møller Jepsen Stool Produced by Sitamo Møbler in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare 3 legged stool designed by Bent Møller Jepsen. Produced by Sitamo Møbler in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Teak, Leather
Stool Probably Produced by Bodafors in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool by unknown designer. Probably produced by Bodafors in Sweden.
Category
1940s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Brass
Erik Buch Bar Stools Model OD-61 by Odense Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Erik Buch
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of four bar stools model OD-61 designed by Erik Buch. Produced by Odense Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Danish Designer, Stool, Carved Oak, Black Lacquer, Denmark, c. 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A finely carved and turned oak stool with black-lacquered seat. Produced in Denmark, c. 1950s.
Other designers of the period include Mogens Lassen, Josef Frank, Arne Jacobsen, Fin...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Oak
Pine Stools with Linen Fabric Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 3 stools by unknown designer. Produced in Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Linen, Pine
Gustav Axel Berg Stool Produced by Gustav Axel Berg 'GA Berg' in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool by Gustav Axel Berg. Produced by Gustav Axel Berg (GA Berg) in Sweden.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Birch
Stools Probably Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of stools by unknown designer. Probably produced in Sweden.
Category
1930s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Swedish Modern Pine Stool, Sweden 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Minimalism may be currently in fashion, but there is one iteration of clean design that will never go out of style which is Scandinavian Modernism. It is no small achievement to be a...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Pair of Sven Ellekaer Three-Legged Stools in Teak, Chr. Linneberg, Denmark, 1962
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking pair of stools was designed by Sven Ellekaer and produced by Christian Linneberg Møbelfabrik in Denmark, 1962. The round seat pads are upholstered in a black and white vinyl leather, resting on a three-legged frame in teak wood. The decoratively applied vertical lines of a contrasting wenge wood veneer in the legs are unique for this model, which was normally executed entirely in teak or rosewood.
We also have a lounge chair available, see the last picture of the listing. See listing reference LU1803326426552 for the chair.
Literature reference:
Mobilia Magazine...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Wenge, Faux Leather, Teak
Ingvar Hildingsson Stool Produced by Ingvar Hildingsson in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool designed by Ingvar Hildingsson. Produced by Ingvar Hildingsson in Sweden.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Birch
Ingvar Hildingsson Stool Produced by Ingvar Hildingsson in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool designed by Ingvar Hildingsson. Produced by Ingvar Hildingsson in Sweden.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Birch
Piet Hein Bar Stools by Fritz Hansen in Denmark
By Piet Hein
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 4 bar stools designed by Piet Hein. Produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Chrome
Josef Frank Stools Model 973 Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of stools model 973 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Brass
Leo Thafvelin Bar Stools by Johanson Design in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of four bar stools designed by Leo Thafvelin. Produced by Johanson Design in Markaryd, Sweden.
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
David Rosén, "Futura" Stool, Fabric, Wood, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige fabric "Futura" foldable stool designed by David Rosén and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1950s.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Swedish Designer, Stools, Oak, Green Painted Metal, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and green-painted metal stools designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Metal
Poul Hundevad Folding Stool Produced by Poul Hundevad in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare folding stool model Guldhøj / PH 43 designed by Poul Hundevad. Produced by Poul Hundevad in Vamdrup, Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Wenge
Gärsnäs, Foldable Stool, Solid Oak, Natural Leather, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A solid oak and natural leather, foldable stool designed and produced by Gärsnäs, Sweden, 1950s. Labeled.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Faux Leather, Oak, Fabric
Pouf / Stool Produced in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and large pouf / stool by unknown designer. Produced in Denmark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather
Bent Møller Jepsen Easy Chair with Stool Produced by Sitamo Møbler in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare 3 legged easy chair with stool designed by Bent Møller Jepsen. Produced by Sitamo Møbler in Denmark.
Dimensions (W x D x H): 66 x 59 x 80 cm, SH...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Teak
Bar Stools in Teak and Black Vinyl Probably Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of three bar stools probably produced in Sweden.
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Gilbert Marklund Stools Produced by Furusnickarn AB in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of stools designed by Gilbert Marklund. Produced by Furusnickarn AB in Sweden.
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Lith Lith Lundin Stool / Side Table Produced in Sweden
By Lith Lith Lundin
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Stool / side table designed by Lith Lith Lundin. Produced in Sweden.
Category
Early 2000s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Stools Probably Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of stools by unknown designer. Probably produced in Sweden.
Category
1950s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Erik Höglund Stool Produced by Boda Trä in Sweden
By Erik Höglund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Stool designed by Erik Höglund. Produced by Boda Trä in Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Hemp, Beech
Swedish Designer, Sauna Stool, Carved Oak, Sweden, Early 20th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A carved oak sauna stool designed and produced in Sweden, early 1900s.
Category
1910s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Oak
Hans Wegner Easy Chairs and Stool Model EJ-100 by Erik Jørgensen in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of easy chairs and stool model EJ-100 designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by Erik Jørgensen in Denmark.
Dimensions chair (W x D x H): 100 x 95 x 90 cm, SH: 35 cm.
Dimensions s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Erik Ole Jørgensen Easy Chairs with Stools Produced by Selectform in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs with stools designed by Erik Ole Jørgensen. Produced by Selectform in Denmark.
Dimensions easy chairs (W x D x H): 73 x 90 x 94 cm, SH: 39 cm
Dimensions st...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Gilbert Marklund Stools Produced by Furusnickarn AB in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of stools designed by Gilbert Marklund. Produced by Furusnickarn AB in Sweden.
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
1960s Barstool by Piet Hein for Fritz Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Scandinavian Modern pedestal style barstool with satin chromed steel bars - slightly arched to support a foot rest - and upholstered seat in dark blue leather. Designed by Piet Hei...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Chrome
Stool Produced in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Stool by unknown designer. Produced in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Stools Produced in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of stools by unknown designer. Produced in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Brass, Steel
Gösta Berg Easy Chair with Stool Model Måsen / Seagull by Fritz Hansen
By Gosta Berg
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair with stool model Måsen / Seagull designed by Gösta Berg. Produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark.
Dimensions easy chair (W x D x H): 94 x 100 x 88.5 cm, SH 39 cm.
...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
1950s PK33 Stool by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early 'PK-33' stool, with a round black leather cushion on three satin-chromed flat bar legs. Maker's mark on underside.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Chrome
1950s Danish Oak Music Bench by Hans J. Wegner for A.P. Stolen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A high stool/piano bench in oak with new leather upholstery.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Oak
Illum Wikkelsø Stool Model 91 Produced by Michael Laursen in Aarhus, Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool model 91 designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Michael Laursen in Aarhus, Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Fabric, Wool, Rosewood
Krogenæs Møbler, Three Legged Stool, Sculpted Pine, Norway, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A sculpted pine stool designed and produced by Krogenæs Møbler, Norway, 1950s.
Category
1950s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Poul Kjærholm PK-91 Stool by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare foldable stool model PK-91 designed by Poul Kjærholm. Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Swedish Designer, Stool, Solid Pine, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
Børge Mogensen Side Tables by Fredericia Stolefabrik in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of side tables / benches designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Cane, Oak
Contemporary Handmade Scandinavian Side Table or Stool "Objects of Use" #3
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Objects of use is the result of two worlds meeting. Two professions intertwining. Two people crossing, clashing and correlating. Objects of use is the fusion of the mind of an archit...
Category
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Brass
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Folding Stool by Ludvig Pontoppidan
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare folding stool designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by cabinetmaker Ludvig Pontoppidan in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Oak
Swivelling Bar Stool
By Arne Vodder
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak barstool with a leather swivel seat.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Teak
Olof Kettunen Stools by J. Merivaara in Finland
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of stools designed by Olof Kettunen. Produced by J. Merivaara in Finland.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Steel
Leather Folding Stool by Poul Hundevad
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak folding stool with a black leather sling seat. Famed copy of oldest existing piece of furniture in Scandinavia.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather
Uno & Östen Kristiansson Stool Produced by Luxus in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Stool designed by Uno & Östen Kristiansson. Produced by Luxus in Vittsjö, Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Teak
Stool, “Sauna”, Designed by Bertel Gardberg for Villa Jouhki, Finland, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stool, “Sauna”, designed by Bertel Gardberg for Villa Jouhki,
Finland, 1950's.
Apachi wood.
Measurements:
H: 42 cm/ 1' 5"
Very rare, custom order apachi stool. Originally designed...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Pine
1960s Danish Rosewood Stool by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Danish rosewood stool comprised of three solid rosewood legs of triangular shape with softened corners joined together by three solid rosewood ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Gustav Bertelsen, Pair of Stools, Solid Teak, White Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of solid teak and white fabric stools designed and produced by Gustav Bertelsen, Helsingør, Denmark, 1950s.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Stools
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Scandinavian Modern stools for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern stools 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 stools created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern stools 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 stools, popular names associated with this style include Alvar Aalto, Artek, Ingvar Hildingsson, and Fritz Hansen. 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 stools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $88 and tops out at $52,616 while the average work can sell for $1,856.
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