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.
$1,600Sale Price / set|62% Off
Danish Arm Chairs by Svend A. Madsen for Moreddi, Set of 2
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of 2 Danish modern dining chairs designed by Svend A. Madsen, imported by Moreddi, circa 1960s. Armchairs with wonderfully shaped armrests & curved backs for extra com...
Teak, Upholstery
$3,495 / set
H 32 in W 27 in D 24 in
Set of 4 Mid-Century Danish Modern Woodard Sculptura Mesh Arm Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co., John Woodard
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a set of 4 Mid-Century Modern outdoor armchairs designed by John Woodard, circa 1956 for the 'Sculptura' line. Features enameled and woven wrought iron. The c...
Wrought Iron
$21,002
H 27.56 in W 25.6 in D 31.5 in
Vintage "Clam” rocking chair by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell, 1944.
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Iconic Clam chair designed by Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell in Denmark in 1944. This example is a vintage original armchair produced in the 40's in danemark. The chair has ...
Sheepskin, Elm
$577
H 32.29 in W 19.3 in D 19.3 in
Vintage Teak Dining Chair by Svend A. Madsen for K. Knudsen & Søn, Denmark 1960s
Located in Hannover, DE
Single vintage dining chair designed by Svend A. Madsen for K. Knudsen & Søn, Denmark, 1960s. The solid teak wood frame has been carefully restored and freshly oiled, preserving the...
Fabric, Teak
Papa Bear Chair by Svend Skipper - Danish Mid-Century Armchair
By Svend Skipper
Located in Torino, IT
Svend Skipper's Papa Bear Chair is a statement of sculptural comfort and Nordic sophistication. Designed in the 1960s, it fits into the great tradition of Danish Mid-Century Modern d...
Fabric, Teak
Set of “Svensk Fur” Arm Chairs by Göran Malmvall
By Goran Malmvall
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a set of "Svensk Fur" armchairs, a masterpiece by Swedish furniture designer Göran Malmvall (1917–2001). Produced in the 1940s by the renowned Swedish furniture workshop Kar...
Wood
Set Eight Teak Danish Dining Chairs Svend Madsen for Moreddi
By Moreddi 1
Located in Toledo, OH
Eight teak Danish dining chairs by Svend Madsen for Moreddi. Removeable floating seats. Very nice condition circa 1960's. Arm chair measures 24' wide x 23" deep x36" tall. Side chair...
Teak
$3,600 / set
H 36 in W 25 in D 23.5 in
Svend A. Madsen for Moreddi Teak Danish Modern Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Svend A. Madsen for Moreddi Teak Mid Century Danish Modern Dining Chairs - Set of 6. The set includes two armchairs and four side chairs all with sleek sculptural form. Circa...
Teak
$2,400Sale Price|25% Off
H 29 in W 24 in D 23 in
Rare Model 42 Arm Chair by Erik Kirkegaard for Høng Stolefabrik, Denmark, 1950's
By Erik Kirkegaard, Høng Stolefabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing an exceptional early Model 42 armchair by acclaimed Danish designer Erik Kirkegaard, produced by Høng Stolefabrik. Recently refinished and newly clad in thick, full-grain...
Leather, Teak
$3,477 / set
H 32.68 in W 19.69 in D 18.12 in
Vintage Dining Chairs by Svend Aage Madsen, 1960s, Set of 6
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Set of six dining chairs designed by Svend Aage Madsen, showcasing the elegant lines and sculptural presence characteristic of his best work. The slightly curved backrests offer exce...
Beech
$2,030
H 41.15 in W 24.41 in D 16.93 in
Set of 2 arm chairs by Lucian Randolph Ercolani for Ercol , 1950’s
By Lucian Ercolani
Located in Delft, NL
Condition: Good with patina signs of use Material: Wood Producer: Ercol Designer: Lucian Randolph Ercolani
Wood
Set of 6 Knoll “Jr” Arm Chairs by Joseph Ricchio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Designer: Joseph Ricchio Manufacturer: Knoll This set of six Knoll “Jr” armchairs by Joseph Ricchio brings together light sculptural form, pr...
Fabric, Birch
$12,500 / set
H 32 in W 18.5 in D 24.5 in
A Set of Six Stacking Arm Chairs by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of six stackable beech armchairs with black woven chairs.
Oak
Mid Century Svend Åge Teakholz Sessel Sessel Glostrup
By Svend Åge Madsen, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Berlin, DE
We are offering a beautiful Glostrup armchair from the 1960s for sale. The design is by Svend Åge Eriksen and impresses with its elegant lines and the use of high-quality teak frames...
Teak
Sold
H 27.17 in W 24.02 in D 21.26 in
"Cow horn" Arm Chair by Svend Aage Madsen by Cabinetmaker K. Knudsen, 1950s
By Svend Åge Madsen, K. Knudsen & Son
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare "Cow horn" chair designed by Svend Aage Madsen. Produced by Cabinetmaker K. Knudsen & Søn in Denmark during the 1950s. Made from solid oak and teak with new black leather seat. ...
Leather, Oak, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Svend Madsen Beech Wood Lounge Chair
By Svend Åge Madsen, Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Boll Jensen, Grete Jalk
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This stunning Danish made lounge chair by Bowa is one of the finest wood frame sofa’s we have seen from the period. Vintage early 1960s, Svend Age Madsen expands on the quintessentia...
Brass
Svend Aage Madsen for Moreddi Danish Walnut Dining Chairs Set of Six
By Svend Åge Madsen, Moreddi 1
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Not only is this a set of (six), but it includes (two) of the sought after arm chairs. The width of these captain chairs is very accommodating which isn't particularly common, they a...
Walnut