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
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.
Brass Piet Hein Super Egg by Henning Glahn / Danks Design in original Box
By Piet Hein
Located in Krefeld, DE
Piet Hein super egg with leather pouch, booklet and original Box. The super egg is in solid brass produced by Henning Glahn, Denmark. Price for the...
Brass
Sven Jonson For Gustavsberg, Facett 7, Card Suit Ceramic Lidded Pot c1960's
By Sven Jonson
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Smooth dark brown glaze lidded pot with playing card suit motif of applied silver Designed by Sven Jonson for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Stylish and functional Circa 1960's Signed Gustav...
Silver
Zenit, Royal Copenhagen Pure White Porcelain and Silver Lidded Pot #5575
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
An oval shaped lidded pot designed by Anne-Marie Trolle for Royal Copenhagen Applied silver zig-zag decoration to pure white porcelain Circa 1980's Stamped and numbered 5575 Height ...
Porcelain
Jens Risom Walnut Wastepaper Basket, 1960's Scandinavian Modern Design
By Jens Risom
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Scandinavian Jens Risom designed tapered Aluminum lined Walnut Trash Can. Featuring an inverted sculptural, molded Walnut form, detailed with Aluminum interior . Tope opening 10D. Ba...
Aluminum
Danish Oak Desk Office Organizer with Shelves
Located in New York, NY
A Danish modern, Scandinavian Modern, Mid-Century Modern style, blonde oak wood desk, office, library, etc., organizer with book space and paper/mail/letter tray holder shelf areas, by Pedersen & Hansen, circa late-20th century, Denmark. Three (3) horizontal and three (3) vertical storage...
Oak
Fine Crystal Perfume Bottle With Faceted Stopper By Orrefors, Sweden. c1980's
By Orrefors
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Beautiful and pure, crystal clear perfume bottle by Orrefors, Sweden Unusually faceted, cut crystal stopper completes this most appealing piece Circa 1980's Height with stopper 3.5 ...
Crystal
$160Sale Price|42% Off
Vintage Full Crystal Photo Frame from Lindshammar Sweden, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
An ovale picture frame made from clear partially textured full crystal. Designed at and manufactured by Lindshammar in Sweden. The removable stickers to its front reads: Full crystal...
Crystal
Hans-Agne Jakobsson Table Lamp Model BN25 in Aluminum, Markaryd 1960s
Located in Lisse, NL
Highly elegant and timeless Scandinavian table lamp, designed for a desk, side table or reading corner. There is a certain quiet sophistication to rare lighting designs from the 196...
Aluminum
Shaped Bode Willumsen Royal Copenhagen 1965 Sung Glazed Stoneware Dish #20162
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Tactile triangular stoneware dish signed Bode Willumsen for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, 1965. A superbly glazed dish epitomising Danish style Signed and Numbered Measures: Width 6....
Ceramic
Danish Jewelry Dish Vide-Poche Aluminia & Royal Copenhagen
Located in New York, NY
*One (1) available, second dish has sold. A Danish Faience ceramic pottery jewelry vide-poche square dish, from Denmark. Each dish has an internal band in brick red/dark orange and ...
Ceramic, Pottery, Faience
Oak and Polychrome "Öresund" Desk Organizer by Børge Mogensen, Karl Andersson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk organizer model A4/3 from the Öresund series designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced in Sweden by Karl Andersson & Söner during the 1960s. Made from solid oak with three drawers in...
Oak, Lacquer
Hand held mirror - Sweden - Hans-Agne Jakobsson - Teak
Located in Stockholm, SE
A hand mirror in teak designed in by Hans-Agne Jakobsson at Markaryd in Sweden. The mirror is in excellent condition except from some minor scratches in the glass and some scratches ...
Teak
Desk Organizer by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bench-made solid teak desk organizer with dovetail joinery, comprising five correspondence dividers, a slim drawer and open storage.
Teak
Small Twirling Bird Polished Wood Sculpture by Jakob Hermann for Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Unique rotating wooden birds, created in the 1950s by the Danish furniture designer and true artist, Jacob Hermann and now being manufactured by Warm Nordic. The Danish-manufactured Twirling Birds...
Wood
Awake Snipe Beak Bird Teak Sculpture by Svend-Aage Holm-Sørensen for Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Charming teak birds with beaks and great personality. Manufactured in Denmark and designed by the internationally renowned designer, Svend Aage Holm-Sørensen, who was particularly famous for his lamp designs in the 1950s. Beak Birds...
Oak, Teak
Danish Brass Satin Glass Two-Light Table Lamp Desk Lamp, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Scandinavian brass two-light table or desk Lamp designed and produced in Denmark in the 1960s. Clean lines and organic design from the Scandinavian Modern period with satin finish gl...
Brass
Art Deco Pewter Hand Mirror by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Stockholm, SE
A hand mirror in pewter designed in Sweden but not marked, it is in a beautiful Art Deco style from the 1930-1940´s. It is 15 cm in diameter and in very ...
Pewter
Hans Henrik Hansen For Royal Copenhagen, Celadon Glazed Shallow Dish #4397
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
A beautiful celadon glazed dish by Hans Henrik Hansen for Royal Copenhagen Exemplary transparent glaze and form Circa 1954 Stamped and numbered HHH 4397 Height 1.5 inch, Diameter 7....
Porcelain
Gerd Bøgelund For Royal Copenhagen Celadon Glazed Shallow Dish #21415
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Elegant small celadon dish by Gerd Bøgelund for Royal Copenhagen Ageless design from the acclaimed Danish ceramicist Circa 1959 Stamped and numbered 2141...
Porcelain
$260Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Modern Teak Desk Set
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional Danish modern teak desk set that includes a a looseleaf flip calendar and a paper holder, circa 1970s. The set is in excellent condition and would make a great addition to any MCM office...
Teak, Paper
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Modern Solid Rosewood Perpetual Desk Calendar
By Enzo Mari
Located in San Diego, CA
Handcrafted unique rare perpetual calendar circa 1950's solid rosewood with gold numbers days and months, great design and craftsmanship some of the lettering it's faded due to age b...
Rosewood
Ericsson Cobra Phone in Cream-Colored Plastic with Turntable at the Bottom
Located in København, Copenhagen
Ericsson Cobra phone in cream-colored plastic with turntable at the bottom. Swedish design icon, 1960s. Measures: 21 x 11 cm. In very good condition.
Plastic
$336Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Kay Bojesen Danish Teak Dust Bin Crumb Sweeper Set
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Kay Bojesen. Sweeper kit consisting of a sweeping tray and a brush of wood. Wonderful early impressed marks; k.b. eneret, translating kb exclusive, and Kay Bojesen paper label.
Teak
Bottle Stand with Brass Framework Three Circular Holders by Gunnar Ander, 1950s
By Gunnar Ander
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The bottle stand designed by Gunnar Ander and produced by Ystad Metall in Sweden during the 1950s is a clear representation of mid-century Scandinavian modern design, emphasizing bot...
Brass
$5,690 / set
Carl Auböck Bookends
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of bookends designed by Carl Auböck.
Brass
Extra Large Twirling Bird Polished Wood Sculpture by Jakob Hermann
Located in Viby J, DK
Unique rotating wooden birds, created in the 1950s by the Danish furniture designer and true artist, Jacob Hermann and now being manufactured by Warm Nordic. The Danish-manufactured Twirling Birds...
Wood
Large Twirling Bird Polished Wood Sculpture by Jakob Hermann for Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Unique rotating wooden birds, created in the 1950s by the Danish furniture designer and true artist, Jacob Hermann and now being manufactured by Warm Nor...
Wood
Medium Twirling Bird Polished Wood Sculpture by Jakob Hermann for Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Unique rotating wooden birds, created in the 1950s by the Danish furniture designer and true artist, Jacob Hermann and now being manufactured by Warm Nordic. The Danish-manufactured Twirling Birds...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Georg Petersens Danish Mobelfabrik Desk Organizer
By Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-century teak Georg Petersens Mobelfabrik desk organizer. Circa 1960's. Danish teak desktop organizer with multiple dividers and storage cubbies. ...
Teak
French Mid-Century Modern Leather Wastepaper Basket, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A sculptural French wastepaper basket from the 1950s, distinguished by its clean, softly rounded silhouette and black leather-clad exterior. A wide leather strap encircles the body, ...
Brass
$4,093
H 6.25 in W 10 in D 6 in
Antique English Burr Walnut & Hand Painted Porcelain Stationery Box, circa 1850
Located in Bath, GB
A quite wonderful and romantic stationery box, ready to grace the finest of desk-tops. Made from burr walnut the wedge shaped box is smothered in fine quality polished brass mount...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstät...
Brass
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Briar with Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Elm briar and striped mahogany for your collectable watches. Leather handles. Briar box for nine watches.
Leather, Wood
$1,584 / item
H 3.94 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
Tronador Square Blue Onyx Box by AIREDELSUR, Hand-Carved Design
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Stone, Onyx
$569
H 0.6 in W 8.27 in D 0.6 in
Just Andersen - Letter-knife in Mint Condition - Original box - Art Deco, 1930's
Located in Stockholm, SE
One of a kind letter knife made by Just Andersen, Denmark in the 1930's with the original box from the Jeweller that the knife were bought from. Mint condition been laying in the bo...
Pewter
Danish Jewelry Dish Vide-Poche Aluminia & Royal Copenhagen
Located in New York, NY
*One (1) available, second dish has sold. A Danish Faience ceramic pottery jewelry vide-poche square dish, from Denmark. Each dish has an internal band in brick red/dark orange and ...
Ceramic, Pottery, Faience
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.5 in W 10.25 in D 11 in
Industrial Steel Clad Hardwood Elliptical Wastepaper Basket/ Trash Can
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Industrial Steel Clad Hardwood Elliptical Wastepaper Basket/ Trash Can Intricately crafted with elongated silver-leaf clad rim, standing 15.5 -Inches high, with a lower point of 9" ...
Steel, Silver Leaf
$674Sale Price|25% Off
H 0.08 in W 7.88 in D 1.78 in
Rare 70s Horseshoe Letter Opener in Brass & Chrome By Gucci With Original Box
By Gucci
Located in Roma, IT
I offer you for sale an item from times gone by, which today is no longer extremely useful on our desks, unless, as in this case, the beauty and glamor of the object make us forget i...
Brass, Chrome
$20,400
H 1.8 in W 4.5 in D 2.75 in
Silver Gilt and Full Radial Guilloche Enamel Singing Bird Box with Original Key
Located in London, GB
A sublime silver gilt and full radial guilloche enamel with highlights, singing bird box, with original silver and enamel key and original leather carry case. When wound and the bird-form start/stop button actuated, the magic starts immediately with the bird lid...
Silver, Enamel
$2,271 / set
H 8 in W 8 in D 8 in
Set of 4 Pedestal Boxes in Shagreen, Shell and Bronze-Patina Brass by Kifu Paris
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The set of 4 pedestal boxes are the perfect home accents to add elegance and functionality to your space. These can be used as a vanity set for your bathroom, in your office to store desk...
Brass
$244 / item
H 3.15 in W 1.97 in D 1.58 in
Ghidini 1961 Knotted Cherry Small Box in Copper-Plated Brass by Nika Zupanc
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Fiasco. Guilt. Fear of love. A place to hide all the things we secretly desire yet are too scared to utter. The luscious things the perfect lover knows are never to be told. She drea...
Copper
$840 / item
H 3.39 in W 5.44 in D 14.26 in
Watch Box for Five Watches in Polished Black with Ultrasuede Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box in polished wood for five watches lined in protective ultrasuede. Hinge in Ruthenium. Box only: watches are not included.
Wood
$1,056 / item
H 4.41 in W 9.69 in D 12.21 in
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Polished Black with Suede and Leather
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
For your collectable watches, black polished box with suede dividers and leather handles. Box holds nine watches.
Suede, Wood
Sold
H 0.4 in W 11.42 in D 4.73 in
Hand held mirror - Sweden - Swedish Grace - 1920-1930s Brass & Glass
Located in Stockholm, SE
A hand mirror in brass designed in Sweden but not marked, it is in a beautiful Swedish Grace style from the 1920-1930´s. It is 29 cm (11.6") long and in excellent condition except fr...
Brass
Einar Barnes for P. S. Heggen Handled Teak Wastepaper Basket
By Einar Barnes , P.S. Heggen
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Scandinavian Einar Barnes for P. S. Heggens Two Handled Teak Trash Can. Featuring a sculptural, molded Teak and Beech Plywood oval form, detailed vertical s...
Beech, Teak, Plywood
Sold
H 4 in Dm 3.5 in
Royal Copenhagen Turquoise Crackle Glaze Tumbler Pot With Gilded Band Decoration
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Thorkild Olsen for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, porcelain crackle glaze tumbler pot Turquoise crackle glaze with gilded band to base. Pale grey crackle interior Circa 1963 Stamped and ...
Porcelain
Danish Modern Solid Teak Double Letter Desk Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and functional Danish modern teak double letter desk tray circa the 1980s. The trays are made of dovetailed solid teak. The piece is in very good condition and would make a...
Teak
Sold
H 8.47 in W 13.78 in D 10.63 in
Oak and Polychrome "Öresund" Desk Organizer by Børge Mogensen, Karl Andersson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk organizer model A4/3 from the Öresund series designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced in Sweden by Karl Andersson & Söner during the 1960s. Made from solid oak with three drawers in...
Oak, Lacquer
Jorgen Mogensen For Royal Copenhagen Scarab Stoneware Dish #21871
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Oblong stoneware Scarab dish by Jorgen Mogensen for Royal Copenhagen, 1969. The darkest of brown glazes with a dark blue and sand ...
Ceramic
Oval Teak Tray Jens Quistgaard Dansk Denmark 1950-1960
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Rochester, NY
Large sculptural oval teak wood tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Denmark. Signed underside bottom with early production mark. Overall beautifully aged original glowing color and we...
Teak
Vintage Off-White Ericsson Ericofon Cobra Phone
By Ericsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of the icons of 20th century design, the Ericofon by Ericsson, known as the "cobra phone" for its sleek, modern, and serpentine styling. The Ericofon w...
Plastic
Sold
H 1.19 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in
1930s Pewter Vanity Mirror in the Manner of Björn Trågårdh and Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Bjorn Tragardh
Located in Hägersten, SE
Vanity mirror designed and made in Sweden during the 1930s. Reminiscent to the style of Björn Trådgårdh and Firma Svenskt Tenn. Original glass with sli...
Pewter
Sold
H 3.15 in Dm 5.52 in
Pewter Bowl with Putto by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Attributed to Nils Fougstedt, 1945
By Nils Fougstedt, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Hägersten, SE
Bowl in pewter with a Putto decoration, made by Firma Svenskt Tenn. Attributed to Nils Fougstedt. Made in Stockholm in 1945. Good vintage condition with signs of age related wear and...
Pewter
Illums Bolighus brass Design pipe stand Made in Denmark
Located in Krefeld, DE
Pipe stand attributed to Carl Auböck. Produced by Illum Bolighus in Denmark.
Brass
Vintage Swedish Walnut Wastepaper Bin by Martin Åberg for Servex
By Servex 1, Martin Åberg, House of Rainbow Wood Products Inc.
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern waste basket in walnut designed by Martin Åberg for Servex, Sweden circa 1960s. A great accessory for the home or office. In...
Walnut
Vintage Danish Teak Desktop Storage Box, Organizer, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Danish modern functional accessory teak desk organizer or letter tray. There are three letter trays in the holder .The piece has a very light colored finish and is in good vintage co...
Teak
Danish Modern Desk Paper Tray in Teak
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional Danish modern desk paper tray in teak with 500 4" x 6" sheets of white memo paper, circa 1970s. The piece is in excellent condition and...
Teak, Paper
Vintage White Ericsson Ericofon Cobra Phone
By Ericsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of the icons of 20th century design, the Ericofon by Ericsson, known as the "cobra phone" for its sleek, modern, and serpentine styling. The Ericofon w...
Plastic