Scandinavian Modern Desks
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 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.
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 Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Desks
Ash, Lacquer, Wood
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Steel, Chrome
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Brass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Glass, Rosewood, Teak
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Rosewood
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Wood, Macassar
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Metal
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Birch
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1980s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Stainless Steel
1960s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Hardwood, Teak
Mid-20th Century British Scandinavian Modern Desks
Mirror, Teak
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Desks
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Wood, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Desks
Lacquer, Wood, Ash
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Glass, Teak
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Desks
Stainless Steel
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Mahogany
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1980s Unknown Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Beech, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Mirror, Teak
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Desks
Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Mahogany
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Desks
Oak, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Desks
Oak, Walnut
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Elm, Burl
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Pine
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak