Svend Åge Madsen’s sleek and simple hardwood furniture captures the essence of Scandinavian modern style. Although an influential mid-century modern Danish designer, not much is known about Madsen today. However, his desks, armchairs and credenzas speak to his mastery of material and form.
Madsen began designing in the late 1950s and was most prolific in the 1960s. Many well-known Danish cabinetmakers and manufacturers produced his furniture, including K. Knudsen & Son, H.P. Hansen, Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Karl Lindegaard and Moreddi.
Madsen used woods with qualities of warmth and richness such as walnut, teak and rosewood. His distinctive designs are characterized by curving and sloping forms, giving each piece a natural and organic appeal. While he rarely used decorative embellishments, the bowed surfaces, arching drawers and legs shaped like boomerangs added a visual flair.
Madsen was best known for his sculptural writing desks. Many of his desk designs have an eye-catching curved surface that gives the desktop a concave appearance. They often feature tapered legs — a hallmark of mid-century modern style — and generous drawers for stationary and other objects. Deep wood finishes and visible wood grain add to the charm of these sturdy pieces.
Madsen’s beautiful 1960s dining chairs are still highly sought-after by collectors today. The teak chairs have high and angled backrests which lend some sculptural elegance and provide ergonomic support. A low-profile upholstered cushion and clean lines give the chairs an understated style and fantastic versatility.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Svend Åge Madsen tables, cabinets, seating and more.
$6,500
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 59.06 in
Midcentury Danish Design Desk in Teak by Svend Aage Madsen, 1950s
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking desk in teak with cane details on the frame and the handles. Designed by Svend Aage Madsen. Made in Denmark in the 1950s. Nice original condition.
Cane, Teak
Scandinavian Danish desk in teak
By Arne Vodder
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Danish desk from the 60s in the taste of Arne Vodder's work. Structure in solid wood and veneer. This Scandinavian desk features two columns of drawers suspended from the front and b...
Wood
1960s Danish Teak Desk by Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Victoria, BC
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING. A Mid-century modern teak desk designed by Danish architect and furniture designer Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen, made in Denmark. Warm teak grain, sc...
Teak
$3,740
H 28.55 in W 60.24 in D 31.5 in
1960s Vintage Danish Design Teak Desk Model 75 by Gunni Omann for Omann Jun
By Omann Jun Møbelfabrik, Gunni Omann
Located in Wesseling, DE
Elegant Model 75 desk, designed by Gunni Omann for Omann Jun in Denmark during the 1960s. Crafted in teak, the desk features a spacious floating writing surface, six drawers and bea...
Teak
Peter Lovig free standing writing desk in teak Denmark 1960
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Løvig Design
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Well-crafted freestanding writing desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen, Denmark, circa 1960. Executed in warm-toned teak, this piece is a refined example of Danish modern design, com...
Teak
Svend Madsen for Sigurd Hansen Mid Century Danish Teak Desk
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Svend Madsen for Sigurd Hansen Mid Century Danish Teak Desk This desk measures: 59 wide x 29.5 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 23.25 inches Good Vintage Condition - Des...
Teak
$2,500
H 29 in W 71 in D 35.5 in
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Teak Desk, by Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobler
By Soborg Mobler, Børge Mogensen
Located in Alhambra, CA
Freshly restored 1950's large-scale desk. Classic Danish design by Borge Mogensen, and manufactured by Soborg Mobler. Stained and re-lacquered teak wood, with two pedestals and 5 sto...
Teak
Teak Desk Model 202 by Børge Mogensen, Denmark, 1953
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid Century - Vintage - Furniture Designer: Borge Mogensen Manufacturer: Søborg Furniture Factory Model: Desk 202 Dimensions: 165x80cm H:70,5cm Year: 1953 Freestanding teak desk, mo...
Metal
$4,763
H 28.75 in W 69.69 in D 31.5 in
1960s Vintage Freestanding Danish Teak Writing Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Wesseling, DE
Beautiful rare vintage writing desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen in the 1960s. Made in Denmark.Crafted from warm teak wood with refined leather detail, the desk features a generou...
Teak
Danish architects desk by Svend Åge Madsen Teak Mid-Century
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Danish architectural firm by Svend & Madsen from the 1960s Discover the elegance and functionality of the Vintage Danish Architectural Office, designed by Svend Aage Madsen ...
Teak
Freestanding Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Mid century danish freestanding teak desk. Designed by Kai Kristiansen. Manufactured by FM. Model FM60. With 3 drawers on each side and forward with open shelves.
Teak
Rare Hans J. Wegner PP-312 Teak Desk 1960s.
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Handewitt, DE
Rarely offered Hans J. Wegner desk in sold teak. Model PP-312. This is probably an earlier version of the current PP-312. Like its predecessor, the PP-305, this model still has thre...
Teak
Early Desk by Ejnar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Teak and oak desk by Ejnar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for EJ Næstved SKM 1950s. With deep drawers and more nice details. Rare version.
Oak, Teak
Very rare Børge Mogensen Desk 1940s for FDB Møbler
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Very rare Børge Mogensen desk / library table in teak and beech. Designed in 1940s and produced by FDB Møbler Denmark. Desk plate and end of legs i...
Brass
Fine Sofa Table by Frits Henningsen 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Fine sofa table with 4 drawers (2 each side) and brass shoes and handles. Produced by the famous danish cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen, Copenhagen Denmark. Made in finest wood and qua...
Wood
Rare Børge Mogensen Library Table 6281 in Oak
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Rarely offered danish oak library tabel by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik. Model 6281. Rectangular library tabel with a flap on each site to expand. Manufactured in Denmar...
Oak
