Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
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 he 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, maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Vernor 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.
2010s Canadian Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Walnut
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
1850s Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Steel
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rosewood, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Stone, Metal
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rattan, Oak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Pine
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Maple, Walnut, Burl
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Slate, Stainless Steel
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rosewood
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Slate
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rattan, Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Cane, Teak
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Pine
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Formica, Rosewood
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Birch
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
2010s Mexican Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Teak
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Stone
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Steel
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Stone
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Walnut
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Marble
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Plywood
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
2010s Mexican Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Walnut
2010s Canadian Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
2010s Canadian Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rosewood
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Pine
1960s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass, Iron
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Cane, Oak, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Marble
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rosewood
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Beech, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Aluminum
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Pine
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Hardwood, Maple