Vintage Yngve Ekström furniture embodies the beauty and simplicity of the Scandinavian modern style. The Swedish designer, architect and woodworker created clean-lined hardwood pieces with sophisticated details and flourishes. He was known for his comfortable lounge chair designs as well as chic cocktail tables and handsome highboard cabinets.
Ekström was born in 1913 in Småland, home to Sweden’s oldest furniture factory, Hagafors Stolfabrik. After his father died, he began working at the factory. In 1945, Ekström and his older brother, Jerker Ekström, opened ESE Möbler, a furniture company headquartered in their hometown. In 1952, they received acclaim for their innovative Thema chair. The laminated veneer chair was packed flat for easy shipping so customers could assemble it at home. Ekström followed it with the 1955 Arka chair for the furniture manufacturer Stolab. A spindle backrest and spacious curved seat gave the chair comfort and style.
Ekström’s most popular design was the 1956 Lamino chair. Still in production, the minimalist wooden-frame chair features a sinuous and inviting profile with a high backrest. Looking back at his well-loved design, Ekström said: “To have designed one good chair might not be a bad life’s work.”
After Ekström’s brother left the company, he changed the name to Swedese. Ekström sold Swedese in 1974, but continued to design for it until he died in 1988. His furniture is in museum collections around the world, including the National Museum in Stockholm, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Victoria & Albert museum in London. In 1999, Swedish design magazine Sköna Hems named the Lamino chair the “20th-Century’s Best Swedish Furniture Design.”
Swedese, which still occupies its original building in Småland, partnered with artist Kustaa Saksi in 2017 to update the iconic Lamino chair.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Yngve Ekström seating, tables, storage cabinets and more.
Exceptional Pair of Yngve Ekström Arm Chairs for Swedese, 1950, New Red Bouclé
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Dronten, NL
There is quiet confidence in true Scandinavian design—and this museum-grade pair of Yngve Ekström arm chairs for Swedese embodies that ethos perfectly. Produced in Sweden during the ...
Fabric, Pine
Solid Pine Dining Set by Roland Wilhemsson for Karl Anderson & Soner, 1960s
By Roland Wilhelmsson
Located in Dronten, NL
A rare and finely crafted Mid-Century Modern dining set by renowned Swedish manufacturer Karl Andersson & Söner, designed by Roland Wilhelmsson. Executed in solid pine, the set consi...
Pine
Exceptional Yngve Ekström High Back Arm Chair for Swedese, 1950, New Red Bouclé
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Dronten, NL
There is quiet confidence in true Scandinavian design—and this museum-grade Yngve Ekström high back arm chair for Swedese embodies that ethos perfectly. Produced in Sweden during the...
Fabric, Pine
Hans J. Wegner PP75 Dining Table in Oak with Eleven Oak CH36 Dining Chairs
Located in Dronten, NL
Exceptional dining set by Hans J. Wegner, featuring the iconic PP75 dining table accompanied by 11 CH36 dining chairs. Crafted in solid oak with meticulous attention to detail, this ensemble exemplifies Wegner’s mastery of functional elegance, organic forms, and impeccable craftsmanship. The PP75 table measures 140 cm in diameter and extends seamlessly to 200 cm, offering both intimate and larger-scale dining flexibility. Its gracefully tapered legs and sculpted apron reflect Wegner’s signature balance of structural ingenuity and refined minimalism. The oak CH36 chairs...
Papercord, Oak
Pine Dining Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Dronten, NL
A distinctive Scandinavian Modern dining table designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Swedese in the 1960s. Crafted in solid pine, the table exemplifies Ekström’s commitment to fu...
Pine
A Masterpiece of Danish Modernism – The Rungstedlund Chair, c. 1960s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Dronten, NL
There are dining chairs that simply fill a room, and then there are those that define it. This exquisite set of four Model PJ 34 "Rungstedlund" chairs, designed by the legendary Ole ...
Velvet, Mahogany
Danish Dinner set Kai Kristansen chairs and a table from Korup, 1960 Denmark.
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Danish rectangular extendable dining table from the 1960s with 1 extendable leaf from the Danish brand Korup. Subtle wood drawing and design. The table has a large size. The extension system allows you to turn the table into a large rectangular table of 175 cm. You can also choose not to use an intermediate sheet if you wish. The pull-out system is user-friendly. Set of four (4) Danish modern dining...
Fabric, Teak
Dining Set by David Rosen Futura-Series Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1950's
By David Rosén
Located in Paris, IDF
Exceptional and rare entire dining set by david Rosen 'Futura-series' for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1950's. a Dining table expandable, with 8 dining chair, certains with armrest. Futura-...
Wood
Arno Lambrecht Dining Set of Table, Three Chairs and a Bench for WK Mobel
By WK Möbel
Located in Berlin, DE
Very good dining set by German Shaker inspired designer Arno Lambrecht made in solid beech and rush seat. Measures: Table 110 x 70 x 75 cm // 43.3 x 27.6 x 29.5 in Bench 131 x 85 x ...
Rush, Beech
Hans J. Wegner Dining Set in Cherry Wood with China Chairs, Denmark, 1980s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Egå, DK
Hans J. Wegner Dining Set in Cherry Wood with China Chairs, Denmark, 1980s An exceptional and highly desirable dining set designed by Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, dating from the 1980s....
Wood, Cherry
Midcentury Skovby Mobelfabrik Dining Set
By Skovby Møbelfabrik A/S 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning vintage modern Danish teak pedestal base dining table with two leaves by Skovby Mobelfabrik. This attractive set caters to many with the ...
Faux Leather, Teak
Stylish mid century Jatoba wood dining room set designed by Helge Sibast
By Arne Vodder
Located in Weesp, NL
Stylish and elegant mid century modern Mahogany Helge Sibast Jatoba wood dining room set. Elegant early 1960s dining room table and chairs, model 422, designed by Helge Sibast for ...
Leather, Wood
