Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
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
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; 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.
to
9
59
47
89
16
1
Height
to
Width
to
553
334
106
99
91
59
56
31
29
22
18
16
15
10
10
8
4
2
89
17
5
75
8
1
5
3
10
10
4
2
89
79
19
16
16
88
73
46
21
16
106
90
106
17
12
8
3
1
Style: Scandinavian Modern
Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Grodbla Tapestry, 1940's
Located in Uccle, BE
"Grodbla" (frog) created by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, is a beautifully handwoven flatweave tapestry from Sweden. Handmade in linen, it has a framed dimensions of H42 x W45.5 x D3 cm a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Oak, Linen
High Pile Wool Wall Hanging, Sweden 1960s
Located in Rīga, LV
Vintage novelty high pile wool wall decor. It may be used as a carpet.
Additional information:
Origin: Sweden
Period: 1960s
Dimensions: W 100 cm x D 160-190 cm
Condition: Good vinta...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Swedish Wall Hanging by Ingrid Segerlind-Lindblad
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Wall Hanging by Ingrid Segerlind-Lindblad
Designer: Ingrid Segerlind-Lindblad
handwoven
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish "Täppan" tapestry
Located in Uccle, BE
"Täppan," created by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, is a beautifully handwoven flatweave tapestry from Sweden. Made with expert craftsmanship in wool, it measures roughly 24 x 24 cm and be...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Scandinavian Rollakan Rug 9' 8" x 13' 10"
Located in Ferrara, IT
This is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind Scandinavian Rollakan rug that has been handwoven and intricately designed. The rug is made of durable woo...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Flat-Weave Carpet, Sweden, 1950s Wall Hanging Tapestery
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sweden designed 1950s wool woven wall hanging tapestry.
Vintage wool tapestry featuring an ombré stripe in black, brown, yellow and cream.
Very...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Swedish Wall Hanging
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century Swedish wall hanging
Sweden, circa 1900
Measures: 8'8" x 5'1" (264 x 155 cm).
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Swedish Wall Hanging by Annie Frykholm and MMF, Mid-1940s 'Available Pair'
By Annie Frykholm, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Swedish wall hanging
Sweden, circa mid-1940s
Attributed to Märta Måås-Fjetterström, designed by Annie Frykholm.
Pair with #22221 is also available.
...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Early Märta Måås-Fjetterström Tapestry in Vintage Pine frame signed Sweden 1930s
Located in Ystad, SE
Early Märta Måås-Fjetterström Tapestry Vintage Pine frame, Sweden 1930s
Signed MMF.
Woven by hand at Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB workshop, Båstad, Sweden.
With is this tapestry, ...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Linen, Pine
Vintage Scandinavian Swedish Rya Carpet, 05'10 x 08'00
Located in Dallas, TX
79013 Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Rya Rug, 05'10 x 08'00. This stunning vintage Swedish rya rug is a celebration of abstract expressionism translated into the woven medium. Hand-kno...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Tapestry 'Forest Fragments' by Elsa Agélii, Silk and Mixed Media, 1988, Sweden
By Elsa Agélii
Located in Stockholm, SE
Tapestry “Forest Fragments” by Elsa Agélii,
Sweden, 1988.
Silk and mixed media.
Dimensions:
H: 155 cm/ 5' 1''
W: 135 cm/ 4' 5''
Category
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Textile, Silk
Pretty vintage European 20th century tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very beautiful 20th century European tapestry with a nice navy and childish design, with the nature and with a tree and birds around it, with beautiful colours with green, red, orang...
Category
1970s Estonian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Swedish Linen and Wool Tapestry in the Style of Märta Måås Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish midcentury Tapestry in linen and wool, typical for the styles of the era. Blue, green, red and yellow colored geometric shapes with a sand colored background. In a ve...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Linen
Bobyrug’s Pretty Vintage Woven Polish Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Wonderful mid century polish tapestry with a native geometrical design of town and beautiful light colors, entirely hand woven with wool on cotton foundation
✨✨✨
"Experience the epi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Polish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Swedish Wall Hanging by Barbro Nilsson, AB MMF
Located in New York, NY
"Karvar" Vintage wall hanging, circa 1956 Sweden.
All-over geometric/linear design on beige background.
Initialed: "BN", "AB MMF"
Designer: Barbro Nilsson
Weaver: AB Märt...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Vintage Linen and Wool "Linenknoppen" Tapestry in the Style of Märta Måås Fjette
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Mid-Century Tapestry in the design "Linenknoppen" originally by Märta Måås Fjetterström. Blue, green, red and yellow colored blocks in wool against a beige linen back...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Linen
Blue / Green Peacock Wall Tapestry by Hans Jürgen Schöbel, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Blue/green Danish modern wall tapestry designed by Hans Jürgen Schöbel for Södahl, Denmark, 1960s. Screen printed on jute.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Jute
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation. Size: 170 x 240 cm.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Op-Art Round Rya Black and White Rug Wall Hanging Carpet, 1960s, Sweden
By Ege Rya
Located in Antwerp, BE
Scandinavian Rya rug designed in the 1960s circular rug by Højer Eksport Wilton modernist round rug in wool and hand knotted. Black and white stripes with blue tufted accents. Dimens...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation. Size: 170 x 240 cm.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim, size 6ft 6in x 9ft 10in
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation. Size: 170 x 240 cm.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim, size 6ft 6in x 9ft 10in
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Vintage Swedish Tapestry Signed Margareta Hallek.4 ft x 5 ft
Located in New York, NY
Small Vintage Swedish Tapestry Signed Margareta Hallek, Country of Origin: Scandinavia. Circa date: 1963-1964. Size: 4 ft x 5 ft (1.22 m x 1.5...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Gudrun Pagter, Woven Tapestry " Højsommer"
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gudrun Pagter (Born 1946)
Hand-woven tapestry made of sisal and linen. high summer.
Concrete and geometric design idiom with polychrome colors.
1985 - Title "Højsommer" Midsummer
...
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Linen
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim, size 6ft 6in x 9ft 10in
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim, size 6ft 6in x 9ft 10in
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation. Size: 170 x 240 cm.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation. Size: 170 x 240 cm.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim, size 6ft 6in x 9ft 10in
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Art Rug. 2 ft 10 in x 3 ft 11 in
By Carl Appel
Located in New York, NY
Breathtakingly artistic vintage Scandinavian clown cat Karel Appel design art rug, country of origin / rug type: Scandinavia rug, Date: circa mid-20th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Red Yellow Orange and Brown Vintage Rya Rug Wall Hanging
By Ege Rya
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This versatile vintage Scandinavian Rya rug can be used as a decorative wall hanging or area rug. The brilliant design features varying tones of red, orange, yellow and brown. The geometric design is reminiscent of motifs found in Western Native American folk art. However, the shapes may simply be an example of Scandinavian minimalism and rhythmic composition. Textile wall hangings...
Category
1970s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Yarn
Large Vintage Mid Century Kreis Verner Panton Textile 4'1" x 8'6"
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Scandinavian Verner Panton “Checkers II” Textile, Country Of Origin: Scandinavia, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Other
Maija Kolsi-Mäkelä, for Helmi Vuorelma / Täkänä Tapestry, Wall Carpet
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Maija Kolsi-Mäkelä, (Finnish weaver) for Helmi Vuorelma / TÄKÄNÄ Tapestry. Handwoven "HEDELMÅ wall carpet decorated with fruits in strong colors.
Desig...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Circular Vintage Kreis Brown / Tan Colored Verner Panton Textile 3'10" x 8'7"
Located in New York, NY
Soft Earthy Beautiful Circular Design Vintage Kreis Brown / Tan Colored Verner Panton Textile, Country Of Origin: Denmark, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Other
Vintage Scandinavian Verner Panton “Quadrat” Textile 3'10" x 8'8"
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Scandinavian Verner Panton “Quadrat” Textile, Country Of Origin: Scandinavia, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Other
Mid Century Modern Vintage Green Verner Panton “Quadrat” Textile 3'10" x 8'9"
Located in New York, NY
A Quintessential Mid Century Modern Vintage Green Color Verner Panton “Quadrat” Textile, Country of Origin: Scandinavian, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Other
Vintage Scandinavian Verner Panton “Kreis” Textile 3'10" x 8'8"
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Scandinavian Verner Panton “Kreis” Textile, Country Of Origin: Scandinavia, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Other
Vintage Scandinavian Verner Panton “Quadrat” Textile 3'9" x 8'6"
Located in New York, NY
A Quintessential Mid Century Modern Vintage Green Color Verner Panton “Quadrat” Textile, Country of Origin: Scandinavian, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Other
Vintage Scandinavian Verner Panton Textile Gradient in Brown 4' x 8'6"
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Scandinavian Verner Panton “Gradient” Textile, Country Of Origin: Scandinavia, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Other
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation. Size: 170 x 240 cm.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation. Size: 170 x 240 cm.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation. Size: 170 x 240 cm.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim size 6ft 6in x 9ft 10in
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
New Scandinavian Design Handwoven Flat Rug Kilim, size 6ft 6in x 9ft 10in
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful new Kilim with geometrical Scandinavian design and light colors, entirely handwoven with wool on cotton foundation.
Category
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Unusual Rya Rug, Wall Hanging from Ege Taepper of Denmark
By Ege Tæpper
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Rya rug, wall hanging from Ege Taepper of Denmark, amazing modernist design, piece has been hung all of its life. Excellent condition.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Tapestry by Bodil Bödtker Naess, Wool and Nylon, Contemporary, Denmark, 1980s
By Bodil Bödtker-Naess
Located in Stockholm, SE
Tapestry by Bodil Bödtker Naess,
Denmark, 1980s.
Wool and nylon cord.
Measurements:
H: 100 cm/ 39 ½”
L: 279 cm/ 9' 2”.
Category
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Nylon
Kasthall Tapestry, Marocco 640, Swedish Textile Design, Bouclé Wool and Linen
By Kasthall
Located in Antwerp, BE
Kasthall Sweden Tapestry; Marocco 640; Pepper 210; Textile design; Carpet; Wall tapestry;
Woven bouclé rug in pure wool 65% and linen 35% in the Marocco...
Category
Early 2000s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Linen
Scandinavian Modern tapestries for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern tapestries 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 tapestries created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, rugs and carpets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern tapestries made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tapestries, popular names associated with this style include Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, Verner Panton, and Barbro Lundberg Nilsson. 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 tapestries differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $95,000 while the average work can sell for $2,588.